Bottle-aging Imperial Russian Stouts

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by dcmchew, Feb 13, 2014.

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  1. dcmchew

    dcmchew Initiate (0) Oct 22, 2013 Romania

    Question: Is there a point in keeping "regular" easy-to-find IRSs (like Black Sheep IRS, Tokyo*, Samuel Smith's) way over their "best before" dates? In terms of aging. Bought a big bunch of these at low prices and i was wondering if keeping a few for a few years might affect them in a good/bad way. Thanks
     
    #1 dcmchew, Feb 13, 2014
  2. ChicagoNick

    ChicagoNick Savant (1,012) Nov 16, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    If you think they're great fresh, then no. They probably won't benefit from aging.

    If you find them overly boozy or hoppy fresh, then you may enjoy them more with some time.
     
    #2 ChicagoNick, Feb 13, 2014
  3. Homebrew42

    Homebrew42 Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2006 New York

    You seem to be asking if the rarity, or lack there of, of a particular beer should affect ones decision on whether or not the beer should be aged. Personally I don't see what the ease of finding a beer has to do with how well it will age or whether or not you'd prefer the beer aged vs fresh. In other words, why would an easy to find imperial stout be any more or less suitable for aging than a difficult to find imperial stout?
     
    #3 Homebrew42, Feb 13, 2014
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  4. dcmchew

    dcmchew Initiate (0) Oct 22, 2013 Romania

    By "easy to find" i meant to say "cheaper". Sure, that doesn't mean they're bad, just broadly speaking. Plus I might have a fairly different definition for "easy to find", so I can see how my question came out wrong. Still, the thing I wanted to know is if aging a IRS improves it and in what way. Maybe if there were also some DOs and DON'Ts in this case. Thanks
     
    #4 dcmchew, Feb 13, 2014
  5. jiggidy

    jiggidy Maven (1,299) Dec 18, 2013 Michigan

    Dragon's Milk from New Holland is easy to find in MI and ages quite well.
     
    #5 jiggidy, Feb 17, 2014
  6. JasonLovesBeer

    JasonLovesBeer Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2013 Canada (BC)

    Russian Imperials are probably the most common cellaring disappointments. Most of them will lose more than they gain, and it seems like they are particularly prone to oxidization (I think it's just that it shows up more prominently).

    That said, SN Narwhal is one "shelf" RIS that I hear ages well (I have some '13s in the cellar but haven't tried it aged). Old Rasputin as well.

    Positive effects are it may get smoother, more velvety in texture, and chocolate type sweetness can improve. Negative effects are cardboard-like oxidization, loss of flavour. Very generally speaking.
     
    #6 JasonLovesBeer, Feb 17, 2014
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  7. Davl22

    Davl22 Maven (1,341) Sep 27, 2011 New Hampshire
    Trader

    I've been disappointed with the majority of RIS I've aged. I agree that they tend to show the off flavors from oxidation more than other beers. However, the majority of BA RIS I've aged have been phenomenal.
     
    #7 Davl22, Feb 17, 2014
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  8. Dupage25

    Dupage25 Savant (1,044) Jul 4, 2013 Antarctica

    This beer is barely two years old and both releases tasted different fresh, nobody knows if it ages well yet.
     
    #8 Dupage25, Feb 17, 2014
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