Bigfoot 2011 v. 2012

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by TheFlern, Mar 4, 2012.

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  1. TheFlern

    TheFlern Initiate (0) May 9, 2009 Idaho

    I'm doing a side by side right now. Anyone else done this lately or doing it tonight with the various Bigfoot vintages?

    Cheers.
     
  2. Buck86

    Buck86 Initiate (0) Aug 8, 2011 Washington

    Was at a tasting last night with 09,10,11 and 12. The progression is very noticeable and I think it defiantly got better with age. The Bitterness tends to fade out while the malty sweetness comes out in the earlier years. Apparently somebody brought at '86 to the tasting the year before. The host said it was more like a brandy than a beer at that point. Not bad, just an entirely different drink.
     
  3. Bitterbill

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

    I did one with an 07 and a 10 a while ago. The 07 was still very hop forward/bitter.
     
  4. JoeyBeerBelly

    JoeyBeerBelly Initiate (0) Dec 15, 2006 New York

    I drink Bigfoot while it's here,
    I can't save one for a year.
     
  5. cosmicevan

    cosmicevan Initiate (0) Dec 13, 2009 New York
    Trader

    it's my wife's favorite beer so needless to say i typically have a nice supply. 2 beers into my last 6'er of 2011 and i decided to get some 2012. she appreciates the hoppiness and bitterness in the beer fresh and prefers the 2012. i far prefer the 2011 as i'm more of a malt guy when it comes to barleys.

    CANNOT wait for the barrel aged bigfoot!
     
  6. TheFlern

    TheFlern Initiate (0) May 9, 2009 Idaho

    I hear that. BA Bigfoot just sounds awesome.
     
  7. TheFlern

    TheFlern Initiate (0) May 9, 2009 Idaho

    Well so far I've got to say I've noticed:

    1) 2012 has a much fresher hop aroma and taste. 2011's is harsh by comparison
    2) 2011 is sweeter
    3) 2011 is cloudier after a pour. I was surprised by this.
    4) Gotta give it up for fresh Bigfoot. Its good with age but fresh is just freakin' sweet.

    Cheers
     
  8. PGHbeer77

    PGHbeer77 Initiate (0) Jan 16, 2012 Pennsylvania

    I just had a 2011 tonight. I had a 2012 last week. The color on the 2011 had deepened to a slightly bronze tone, and the hops that blasted up front in the 2012 had calmed down a bit. The aroma on the 2011 was much more bready and doughy than the 2012 which was mostly hop, and the 2011's taste had picked up a caramel finish absent in the fresh 2012.

    I definitely could see the opportunity to age it more, and I can see why people have 10+ year old bottles of Bigfoot sitting around.
     
  9. PGHbeer77

    PGHbeer77 Initiate (0) Jan 16, 2012 Pennsylvania

    I also should note that I enjoyed BOTH the fresh 2012 and the year old 2011, which I can't say about some other barleywines. For example, I love aged Stone Old Guardian, but it's too harsh when fresh.
     
  10. TheFlern

    TheFlern Initiate (0) May 9, 2009 Idaho

    Yeah, OG is harsh fresh. However, I think it is an excellent example of an American Barleywine just like Bigfoot. Both are incredibly hop forward and lovely beers. I can't wait to try 2011 and 2012 OG side by side. I'm gonna need a friend or two for that sit down. Jeez. :wink:
     
  11. qthompso

    qthompso Initiate (0) Apr 24, 2010 Oregon

    I did an '08-12 vertical with some buddies last weekend. I'd agree with everything above that age treats this one really well. The hops were still relatively up front with both the '11 and the '12 but you started to get more of the sweet, fruity flavors with every year you had on the bottle.
     
  12. Thickfreakness

    Thickfreakness Initiate (0) Oct 2, 2010 New York

    Last year had alot more licorice and fennel. A touch more caramel and brown sugar.
     
  13. nrs207

    nrs207 Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2011 Pennsylvania

    I have an 08 OG sitting in my fridge for when a friend comes by this weekend. Never had it before, so hopefully 4 years is a good amount of age.
    Never had Bigfoot either, but I have 4 bottles sitting in the fridge from this year. Definitely saving a couple for next year and maybe like a few years.
     
  14. Zimbo

    Zimbo Pooh-Bah (2,305) Aug 7, 2010 Scotland
    Pooh-Bah

    Me too. In the past I've actually tried to hide the odd bottle or two but in a few months I get a hankering and remember and before I know it they're in a glass. Its pointless.
     
  15. GRBrew

    GRBrew Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2009 Michigan

    I have several 04's left. The age really does wonders.
     
  16. FosterJM

    FosterJM Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2009 California

    I only have 10-12. I am trying to land some older vintages but I like mine with a little age on it.

    Cheers!
     
  17. PGHbeer77

    PGHbeer77 Initiate (0) Jan 16, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Fry and Bender chatting... how quaint.

    I don't have any 2011 OG, but I put a bottle of 2012 in the cellar for next year. Let me know how the 2011/2012 goes.
     
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