Cellar Dweller

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by TheBoyFromIPAnema, Jan 2, 2014.

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  1. TheBoyFromIPAnema

    TheBoyFromIPAnema Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2014

    in 2009 my buddy and i decided to try cellaring beer. we talked to a bunch of brewers, and nobody has delved into this hobby in order to give us direction. the general consensus was to make sure the beer was 7%+ and not to keep it longer than 5yrs. well, 2009 was 5yrs ago and my first batch is ready to drink as of yesterday! i buy big beers to fill up a wine box and duct tape it shut. this post is just to generate conversation and reaction to what i'm doing. i'd like to hear if i'm doing anything wrong/right/new/old/interesting/stupid.

    here's the list, all bought in 2009:

    Cuvee du 8eme (actually a 2007 anniversary bottle)
    Unibroue Trois Pistoles
    Ommegang Three Philosophers
    Lion Stout
    Rogue Imperial Stout (2008)
    Duvel
    Brooklyn Local 1
    Unibroue Terrible
    Allagash Tripel Reserve
    Chimay Grande Reserve
    Unibroue La Fin Du Monde

    apparently i was into Unibroue in 2009. let the conversation begin!
     
  2. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,775) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Most of those can handle time sitting, but I usually find that tripel styles don't do quite as well over time.
    Even styles that are supposed to age well, some individuals don't necessarily improve over time.
    Can I presume that you have a box from 2010, 2011 etc also sitting around?
    Also keep in mind that not all beers need 5 years to age. Some don't age well at all (it appears you know this) some only need 6 months or a year to be at their best then go downhill, others will do well over multiple years.
     
  3. TheBoyFromIPAnema

    TheBoyFromIPAnema Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2014

    yes i do have all the following years. IPAs don't age well i've heard but i have a few sprinkled in just bc i want to see what happens! probably an avery majaraja. besides IPAs what others would be in your "6 months or a year" category?
     
  4. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,775) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    It's not as much by style as individual beers.
    I find that I prefer the brightness of saisons fairly quick after bottling, say, under 6 months in general, but that does depend on what flavors and esters are in the finished product; like I said, some are better than others after x amount of time. Tripels can last a bit longer, maybe to about a year.
    lighter stouts, porters, British styles and other malt forward beers are best within a year - again generally, some can take longer, others are best fresh.
    The only styles I really like after a long time are in the Russian / Imperial stouts, dubbels / quads, barleywines and most sour styles.
     
  5. azorie

    azorie Pooh-Bah (2,471) Mar 18, 2006 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    Chill um and taste em. you will know soon. Duvel I would wonder how well that would age. I sort of agree on the tripels too much age on them ruined them IMHO. the Chimay on the other hand should be outstanding. I had many an old Chimay @ Kulminator (Antwerp) over the years. great stuff.
     
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