I am trying to find information about possible aging of Saturn, but have run into nothing. My general understanding of aging barely wines are as long as it's an English barley wine it usually ages well. However I am getting mixed reviews from people as to wether or not this is an English barley wine or American barley wine. Also I noticed that it says keep refrigerated. Any idea and comments are greatly appreciated.
I will age any barleywine I feel led to, regardless of if it's American or English in style. If you genuinely like a barleywine, aging it will most likely work in your favor. "Cellar temp" is definitely best for this style. I wouldn't use a fridge. There are very few beer experiences as pleasant as hording a wad of a barleywine you enjoy and trying a bottle every 6 months or so.
I agree with this guy. Personally, I try to try it fresh and then sit on some for a while too. For hoppier, American barleywines, like a BIgfoot for example, I understand what they're trying to do with the hops, but I much prefer is 1-3 years old when they have mellowed. On the other hand, less hoppy ones, like Sucaba, pretty much are amazing fresh and with age. I think the English style lends itself more to aging, but changes less significantly over time.
I'd offer caution with Uinta's Anniversary Barleywine. I absolutely love this one fresh but had one at 1 year and it was a bitter astringent mess. Just not a good time on any level. Unfortunately it IS one that I was hoarding a wad off...... Based on what it tasted like aged, I can't even think of a reason to boil it off and cook with it. Just so...no....
Had Saturn yesterday with some friends at a share. I could see a 6 pack being enjoyed over a 2+ year period. Always a good idea to crack one open every six months or so to see what has changed.
The good thing about Saturn is, it's so damn cheap that it's not much of a risk to drink a couple fresh and then throw a few in the cellar for a while to age a bit. I'd say give it a try. I know I have 4 left that I'll be trying every 6 months or so.
Bell's said it's aging potential is "unlimited" just like Expedition and Third Coast Old Ale, which age great for decades. I'm keeping a sixer and probably have one a year for six years.
I drank a fresh one the other day and will be aging the other 5 bottles out 5 years (that is...unless i get into some aged bottles and notice some substantial fading). This beer is definetly one to age....whether its an american barleywine or english barleywine...i think they both age fine. Honestly, drink a 3 year vert of bigfoot and tell me a hoppy american style barleywine doesnt age well.....
If it ages anything like Expedition, it'll most likely cellar well for decades. Had a 2009 Expedition on tap recently and it was absolutely incredible! Cheers!!
I have a dozen or so Expeditions in my cellar and have them on a 6 month try program like most everything I cellar. I would say that the larger the qty of beer in the container, the slower it will age and change over time. I have no doubt that Expedition bottles can and will stand up to a decade or more of aging. I don't see any reason why Saturn won't do the same. It is excellent fresh and the remaining 5 bottles in 6 month increments. I just hope Bell's re-releases it again and doesn't keep it as a one-off.
If you are going to cellar a beer don't put it in the fridge; the beer won't develop properly in the fridge. Having drank Saturn fresh, I am definitely age the beer because age should benefit the beer. My reason to age the beer is because it is a little rough around the edges and time will round the beer out and take away the boozey bite it has fresh. Based on how boozey it was fresh, I wont crack another bottle until it has a full year on the bottle. That is according to my personal tastes, and taste is a subjective thing. So, experiment away!!!
