BIGFOOT...oh wow!

in my opinion, you either drink Bigfoot as fresh as you can, or you wait at least 1 year or so to drink it. It goes through an awkward phase in between 4-8 months.

 

I would never skip a year of Bigfoot. I just did a 3 year vertical with '12, '11 and '10, and it really just hits such a sweet spot in 2 years. The one year seemed to be a transition between the awesome aggressiveness of the fresh '12 and the absolute harmony of flavors in the '10. For anyone hanging onto it, either drink it fresh or hold onto it for 2+ years. I haven't had older than 2 year old Bigfoot, but I could see it really hitting a peak between 2-5 years.

 

I would never skip a year of Bigfoot. I just did a 3 year vertical with '12, '11 and '10, and it really just hits such a sweet spot in 2 years. The one year seemed to be a transition between the awesome aggressiveness of the fresh '12 and the absolute harmony of flavors in the '10. For anyone hanging onto it, either drink it fresh or hold onto it for 2+ years. I haven't had older than 2 year old Bigfoot, but I could see it really hitting a peak between 2-5 years.

That said, I could see how you might think that it isn't top notch young - it does kind of have a double IPA quality to it fresh. However, if you ever have one aged, it will stand up to anything on the market. Sometimes barleywines just don't really become complete without some age. Duck Rabbit is a great example. It is a totally different beer with just a year on it. Fresh, it is kind of a mess, but that year just turns it into something incredible.

 

Bigfoot '11 was my first time trying it and is was amazing! Bought a 12 pack of '12. Good stuff.

 

Have a 3 year vertical going. Gonna try to make it 10. Bigfoot is a mighty good brew.

Cheers!

 

I've heard this before, then had a 2012. Didn't find it bitter. Guess that's why I like 100+ IBU brews. Have 3 more, seeing what happens with some age.

 

It's funny because when I had my first Bigfoot in 2003 before I was drinking high abv styles I thought it was boozy. Today, and especially the 2012 Bigfoot tastes as smooth as butter dipped in honey soaked vanilla.

I bet by next year's batch you won't even feel the bite.

 

I sampled my 14 year Bigfoot vertical a few months back with some friends. In 2008 they switched from twist off caps to pry off, and the difference is clearly visible in both color and head retention. If I recall correctly '02, '04 and '07 were the favorites of the night.

 

What did you have like 3 bottles of each year? I wish I was invited

 

Keep in mind 15 bucks for a sixer is equivalent to a little less than $5 for a bomber, which is pretty damn good for a good beer.

 

Is it really $15? It's $11.99 in NJ.

 

'Sick phase'

 

Thank god it wasn't just my taste buds acting funny. At six months I thought it was a dry boozy strange mess.

 

I had 2008 bigfoot on tap recently and it was incredible, totally worth holding onto a few of those bottles

 

On tap? Nice. (Btw,how does that work? Tapping an old beer I mean).

 

Step 1. Acquire keg as usual
Step 2. Put keg in basement or storage area
Step 3. Wait for desired period, in this case 4 years
Step 4. Tap keg as usual
Step 5. ???
Step 6. Profit.

 

I 2nd that.

 

THAT is pretty darn awesome. Not only are you paasionate about the beer, the lines are perfectly straight too!

 

14 year vertical! Beautiful!!