Best cellared beers?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by GameFreac, Jan 23, 2019.

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  1. GameFreac

    GameFreac Initiate (0) Apr 8, 2011 Georgia

    Going to the Brick Store Pub on Friday and they have a massive cellar list. I usually just stare at it and take forever to decide.

    Obviously not sure exactly what they have but if you guys have some general recs of what some of the best cellared beers (including what year) are, post em here.
     
    #1 GameFreac, Jan 23, 2019
  2. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    any particular style you like?

    In my opinion, the best stuff with age are English-style Barleywines, Belgian Strong Dark Ales/Quads, and other various Strong Ales.

    My personal favorites would be JW Lees Harvest Ale (great at 10+ years), Samichlaus (5-10 years), and St. Bernardus Abt 12 (I think best at 3-5 years).
     
    #2 jmdrpi, Jan 23, 2019
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  3. GameFreac

    GameFreac Initiate (0) Apr 8, 2011 Georgia

    Stouts, sours, english barleywines, quads

    Thanks!
     
    #3 GameFreac, Jan 23, 2019
  4. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Alaskan Smoked Porter.
     
    #4 Bitterbill, Jan 26, 2019
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  5. youradhere

    youradhere Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2008 Washington

    Oh man I love that place, good food and great selection. I recommend start with a lambic/sour you’ve always wanted, pair something with your food, and finish on the patio with barleywine :slight_smile:
     
    #5 youradhere, Jan 26, 2019
  6. CaptainHate

    CaptainHate Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2006 Ohio

    North Coast Old Stock Ale makes up the lion's share of my cellar. I just buy a four pack every year and let it sit, plus they cellar some at the brewery and gradually release it to stores. I had a 2012 a couple months ago and it was outstanding; no telling how long the remaining two will last.
     
    #6 CaptainHate, Jan 26, 2019
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  7. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I am no help with sours.

    As for stouts - in my opinion, very few I've had age well past 2 or 3 years, so I have pretty much stopped aging them. A few exceptions would be very high ABV beers like DFH World Wide Stout or Avery Mephistopheles, or bourbon aged beers that are very "hot" when fresh.
     
    #7 jmdrpi, Jan 28, 2019
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  8. Fordcoyote15

    Fordcoyote15 Pooh-Bah (2,368) Nov 19, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Most dont improve, and I've cellared a plethora to try.

    I can however fully agree with the suggestion of north coast old stock ale.
     
    #8 Fordcoyote15, Feb 7, 2019
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  9. beerproblems

    beerproblems Initiate (0) May 9, 2013 California

    Lambics and most stouts (not Firestone or Bruery for example)
     
    #9 beerproblems, Feb 8, 2019
  10. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Barleywines are the only beers that I would say show improvement with age. Sucabba, j w Lee's, grimm bros 13th door were all great with age.
     
    #10 SFACRKnight, Feb 9, 2019
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  11. joberlander

    joberlander Initiate (0) May 30, 2014 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Backwoods Bastard has been one of the best aging beers for me. I buy a 4 pack every year and randomly drink various years throughout the year. Cracked a 2012 a few weeks back and it is holding up very well. All the flavors were very well incorporated and still nice barrel character.
    BCBS is another staple that never disappoints. Had a 2013 and 2014 in the last few months and both still fantastic.
    Cheers!
     
    #11 joberlander, Feb 28, 2019
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  12. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I prefer American Barleywines (e.g. Bigfoot, Old Guardian) over English Barleywines for aging. Many lambics improve with age, as well as some big Russian Imperial Stouts (e.g. Expedition Stout).
     
    #12 Beersnake, Feb 28, 2019
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  13. bozodogbreath

    bozodogbreath Savant (1,128) Oct 19, 2006 Indiana
    Trader

    North Coast Old Stock Ale, Revolution Straightjacket, Alaskan Smoked Porter, Bourbon Countgy BW each age very well
     
    #13 bozodogbreath, Mar 1, 2019
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  14. CaptainHate

    CaptainHate Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2006 Ohio

    I want to reinforce what @Beersnake1 said about Expedition Stout based on a vertical tasting I had in October. I thought the current year tasted fine but as the hops faded in successive years the chocolate smell and taste went from a bitter dark entity to a more milk chocolate fudge cake batter. I was converted then and there.
     
    #14 CaptainHate, Mar 22, 2019
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