Bell's Eccentric Ale Age Help

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by jacob4999, Apr 1, 2012.

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  1. jacob4999

    jacob4999 Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2008 Michigan

    Was hoping someone out there could help to figure out what year this bottle is from.

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    There is no label on the back. No batch numbers or any markings at all. Any help is appreciated!
     
    #1 jacob4999, Apr 1, 2012
  2. steebo777

    steebo777 Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2009 Michigan

    Send the info to kzoobrew, he may know. Or simply email Bell's with the question.
     
    #2 steebo777, Apr 3, 2012
  3. DrDoitchbig

    DrDoitchbig Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2009 Michigan

    You probably already know this much but based on information from reviews the earliest that bottle could possibly be is 2002. The 2003 vintage had a neck label with the date and it also stated what it was brewed with on the main label. Pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes and natural flavor. Does your bottle list what it was brewed with?

    I agree, I'd e-mail Bell's about it and see if anyone can pinpoint a year or at least a range of years.
     
    #3 DrDoitchbig, Apr 3, 2012
  4. Urbancaver

    Urbancaver Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2009 Ohio

    There is no way to tell... it looks identical to my 1993 bottle...
     
    #4 Urbancaver, Apr 3, 2012
  5. jacob4999

    jacob4999 Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2008 Michigan

    No nothing on the label about ingredients. And from reading all the reviews I'm thinking earlier than 2002, like in the 1993-1996 range. Also where I acquired the bottle it was stacked under a case of Sam Adams triple bock that was from 1995, so I'm thinking it might be around then.

    On that note, have you drank a really old one of these? I'm debating on maybe trying to trade it but I really don't want to. I just have a bad feeling I'm going to crack it and it's going to be horrible. lol It has been stored properly since it was fresh so if it's possible for this beer to be ok it will be.

    But thanks for the replies everyone! I'll wait a few more days and maybe email Bells and see what they say.
     
    #5 jacob4999, Apr 4, 2012
  6. Urbancaver

    Urbancaver Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2009 Ohio

    just drink it :slight_smile:
    I'm sure Larry won't be able to tell you. Back then there was no batch dating of bottles and the eccentric label was the same every year... maybe if you open it and describe the flavours he'd know!
     
    #6 Urbancaver, Apr 4, 2012
  7. jacob4999

    jacob4999 Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2008 Michigan

    You're right I probably should just drink it...not sure how sought after a possibly almost 20 year old bottle of Eccentric Ale is...lol Was probably going to bring it to our weekly tasting so that's really why I wanted to know about how old it was. Guess if it's bad could always wash it down with that 95 triple bock I got from the same guy! lol
     
    #7 jacob4999, Apr 4, 2012
  8. hoppymeal

    hoppymeal Maven (1,250) Jun 25, 2005 Michigan

    you can check the bottom edge of the bottle for a date. I looked at my 99 & 95 vintages and among other things, my 95 bottles have a raised 95, and the 99s have a raised 98. I know these are just the date the bottle was mfg but it could give an idea.
     
    #8 hoppymeal, Apr 8, 2012
  9. jacob4999

    jacob4999 Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2008 Michigan

    Awesome man just the info I was looking for! My bottle has a 95 on it so I guess that solves that. Question for you, do you have any idea of what to expect from this beer when we open it?
     
    #9 jacob4999, Apr 8, 2012
  10. hoppymeal

    hoppymeal Maven (1,250) Jun 25, 2005 Michigan

    If it was stored well may be pretty good. Not sure if you've had eccentrics before, but the name definitely fits the beer. It could also be a mess, but I think Bells stuff holds up as well or better than most. Should be fun!
     
    #10 hoppymeal, Apr 9, 2012
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