Bell's Cherry Stout Advice

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by JoolyGoodFellow, Mar 7, 2012.

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  1. JoolyGoodFellow

    JoolyGoodFellow Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012

    Hello. Back in October I purchased a case of Bell's Cherry Stout, having no doubt it would be the greatest thing. Turned out that I didn't care for it. At this point I still have 3 Sixers left and I was wondering if someone knew what I could expect if i laid these puppies down for a long while- or if that would be a bad idea in general. Also, im not one to fuck with a beer, but inthis case I'd be willing to experiment with adding ingredients or mixing it with another brew.

    Any thoughts?
     
    #1 JoolyGoodFellow, Mar 7, 2012
  2. VncentLIFE

    VncentLIFE Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2011 North Carolina

    I was told the cherries get more sour with time by people that had done it.
     
    #2 VncentLIFE, Mar 8, 2012
  3. JoolyGoodFellow

    JoolyGoodFellow Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012

    Thanks man
     
    #3 JoolyGoodFellow, Mar 8, 2012
  4. srobertson59

    srobertson59 Initiate (0) Nov 30, 2007 Ohio

    Well...so far, this has been my only 'drain pour' in almost 600 different beers. No clue how fresh/old the bottle was that I tried, but no matter what temperature I tried it at, it seemed like a poor clone of cherry Nyquil to me. Something about the syrupy cherry and vaporous alcohol never struck a chord with me. I guess you either love it or hate it...a very polarizing brew!
     
    #4 srobertson59, Mar 8, 2012
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  5. victory4me

    victory4me Initiate (0) Oct 16, 2004 Pennsylvania

    Try mixing it with a splash of Bourbon. I love Bell's Cherry Stout, btw.
     
    #5 victory4me, Mar 8, 2012
  6. genuinedisciple

    genuinedisciple Initiate (0) Jan 10, 2010 Michigan

    Isn't that the answer to all poor beers :slight_smile:
     
    #6 genuinedisciple, Mar 8, 2012
  7. kzoobrew

    kzoobrew Initiate (0) May 8, 2006 Michigan

    Bell's recently found some bottles from 1988, the original batch I do believe. Larry said that the Expedition that took gold at the GABF in the aged beer category would have taken silver if up against the 88 Cherry.

    This is a very polarizing beer not doubt, you either love it or hate it. I think this beer ages very well, I have been impressed by every vintage I have come across. I would not necessarily say the cherries get more sour. The overall flavor mellows and melds a bit. More of a smooth chocolaty malt which pairs well with a milder cherry flavor.
     
    #7 kzoobrew, Mar 8, 2012
    victory4me likes this.
  8. JoolyGoodFellow

    JoolyGoodFellow Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012

    Melding wp
    Some melding would be nice.
     
    #8 JoolyGoodFellow, Mar 8, 2012
  9. rappmann

    rappmann Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2011 Canada (ON)

    send them to me :grinning: seriously, i love the stuff
     
    #9 rappmann, Mar 13, 2012
  10. OSUBeerStudent

    OSUBeerStudent Initiate (0) May 2, 2008 Washington

    There was a tap takeover last year around here with 4 year old Cherry. It was excellent, my favorite of the taps (over 4 year Java, 1 year Expedition, Batch 10000, Sweet Potato Stout, and some others I forget). Definitely preferred it to the fresh. That vintage the sourness of the cherries was definitely more noticeable than fresh - the chocolate notes were smoother and not as prominent as fresh. Of course I like this beer a lot fresh and aged, so YMMV.
     
    #10 OSUBeerStudent, Mar 14, 2012
  11. brock146

    brock146 Initiate (0) Oct 1, 2011 Minnesota

    It sucks that there isn't going to be any cherry stout in stores this year. I was really looking forward to it. Looks like I might have to take a trip to Kalamazoo to get some.
     
    #11 brock146, Nov 2, 2012
    Dizbro21 likes this.
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