brooklyn monster question

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by joefuzz, Jul 22, 2012.

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  1. joefuzz

    joefuzz Pundit (805) Jul 27, 2010 New York

    So I have a full vertical of brooklyn monster from batch 1 (2000 and I'm thinking about opening them sometime soon. What I want to know is if anyone has drank any pre 05's lately (11.8%abv down to 10.1%abv in 05) and how they held up. I have had a few 07 and 08's recently and thought they were pretty amazing.
     
    #1 joefuzz, Jul 22, 2012
  2. ontherocks

    ontherocks Zealot (531) Mar 4, 2008 Georgia

    Make sure you have one or two drinking buddies with you to share the experience. Sorry I can't give you a better answer. I don't remember when they started sellling Monster in Atlanta, a friend might have an '07.
     
    #2 ontherocks, Jul 22, 2012
  3. joefuzz

    joefuzz Pundit (805) Jul 27, 2010 New York

    yeah I planned on opening them with some other people, I don't think i could ever attempt to take on 13 bottles of barleywine in one night by myself. If your friend has a 07 you should have him crack it open, I had one a few weeks ago and it was awesome.
     
    #3 joefuzz, Jul 22, 2012
  4. Kopfschuss

    Kopfschuss Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2009 Oregon

    Challenge accepted!

    Seriously though, I recently had an '08 and it was quite exquisite! However, I will warn I have not had this beer fresh as it is not in my distro and was an awesome extra from Exalted.

    When you have done this, please post some feedback on this!
     
    #4 Kopfschuss, Jul 23, 2012
  5. garymuchow

    garymuchow Pooh-Bah (2,878) Aug 31, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Lucky you. Sounds like a very enjoyable way to spend an evening with buddies.
     
    #5 garymuchow, Jul 24, 2012
  6. whartontallboy

    whartontallboy Maven (1,402) Dec 10, 2004 New York
    Trader

    I drank a 2004 eight or nine months ago and really enjoyed it. I'd never cared for any of the fresher bottles I'd had, but it was a really nice example of the style and certainly didn't feel like it was going downhill.
     
    #6 whartontallboy, Jul 24, 2012
  7. El_Zilcho

    El_Zilcho Initiate (0) May 3, 2012 Virginia

    Didnt their cat "Monster" just pass away a few days ago? I suppose now would be a good time to pay tribute, but you could hold on to them and see if the brewery is doing anything in celebration/remembrance.
     
    #7 El_Zilcho, Jul 25, 2012
  8. El_Zilcho

    El_Zilcho Initiate (0) May 3, 2012 Virginia

    #8 El_Zilcho, Jul 25, 2012
  9. axeman9182

    axeman9182 Initiate (0) Aug 5, 2009 New Jersey

    They had a keg of Monster Ale from 1999 on at the brewery tonight and I have to say it's held up nicely. It's probably past its absolute peak, sure, but it was pretty good. Some of the employees also did a Monster Ale vertical on Wednesday in honor of Monster, and at least one person said 2004 was a stand-out vintage
     
    #9 axeman9182, Jul 28, 2012
  10. joefuzz

    joefuzz Pundit (805) Jul 27, 2010 New York

    I'm going to try to get this done this week..I will post results, thanks for all the input
     
    #10 joefuzz, Jul 28, 2012
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  11. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    Damn. Where do you people get the self control to hold beer for from 5 to over 10 years. Or did you buy it recently from a store that didn't know they had it? I've had a couple of bottles for a year and they're whispering "drink me". I'm afraid they will get louder.
     
    #11 otispdriftwood, Jul 30, 2012
  12. joefuzz

    joefuzz Pundit (805) Jul 27, 2010 New York

    00-05 were given to me by a friend and I have been saving one or two out a 6 pack every year since. You could always trade for older vintages....I got a bunch of bigfoots from the 90s in a trade once
     
    #12 joefuzz, Jul 31, 2012
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  13. Plenum

    Plenum Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2009 New Jersey

    I have had the 2002, 2003 and 2004 recently, and I agree with the assessment above that it's past its peak. The 2004 was the best of the three. 2002 and 2003 were still worth trying, but I wouldn't store Monster much more than 6-7 years. It's not going to go the distance of something like a JW Lees, THA or Old Stock. It's still a fantastic beer.

    You might want to consider doing an odd year and an even year vertical when you open them up. It's more manageable, will likely be more enjoyable and has the added benefit of getting you two great tastings from one line of brews.
     
    #13 Plenum, Aug 3, 2012
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