Cellar or Not?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by AnalogErik, Nov 10, 2013.

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  1. AnalogErik

    AnalogErik Initiate (0) Jul 23, 2013 Minnesota

    Was perusing a new little spot, and just about dropped my basket when i spotted:

    1x Halia
    1x Lolita
    1x Juliet
    1x Gillian

    2x Bourbon Barrel Quad

    So the girls were all 2013's. Should I be cellaring the Goose Island's? I plan on cellaring one of the BBQ's and consuming the other one.

    Im curious if those girls are good aged, or if i should just go for the gold and drink them over the next few weeks.
     
  2. fujindemon74

    fujindemon74 Pooh-Bah (1,797) Nov 7, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    If you haven't had a beer fresh, I wouldn't cellar it.
     
  3. Sipchue

    Sipchue Pundit (832) Mar 26, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I don't know your girls, nor have we ever met. A friend brought me some Rude Elf last Christmas (Fegley's Brew Works, Reading PA). I found it to be immature and, well, rude. So I cellared it. I expect the spices & flavors to mature and come together into something that I can speak highly of this holiday. I think that's a reasonable reason to cellar a beer - to realize it's full potential. Same with my other cellared selections. So, my answer is this: if you're inclined to believe that the girls will benefit from some maturity, go for it. Keep in mind that the girls usually mature before the guys do.
     
  4. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    Yeah, if you don't have two of each I'd have a hard time recommending to cellar.
     
    Powderhornphil likes this.
  5. EWR2STL

    EWR2STL Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2013 Missouri

    I've got a bottle of each as well and have had Lolita on draft. Lolita is a great beer right now. In speaking with friends that have drank them all, I here that Halia might benefit most from aging.

    GI says they will develop up to 5 years, but like the post above me mentioned, it's hard to commit to long aging without having a few bottles and the ability to first have fresh.

    Either way - good score and I'm sure you can't go wrong.
     
  6. TheNightwatchman

    TheNightwatchman Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I don't think I'd age something that I haven't had fresh. How will you know if it got better or worse?
     
    Dweedlebug likes this.
  7. AnalogErik

    AnalogErik Initiate (0) Jul 23, 2013 Minnesota

    All valid points, i may have to just bite the bullet and consume. Ive got some friends coming in for xmas, so ill sit on them until then (i know thats not a good length of time to age, lol). Better to consume with friends!

    I had my Tart of Darkness last night. Holy hell thats a good sour.
     
  8. Beeranator

    Beeranator Initiate (0) Feb 8, 2013 North Carolina

    what about a k13?
     
  9. fastenoughforphish

    fastenoughforphish Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2012 Illinois

    Why don't you cellar two and drink two of the GI. You could cellar the Lolita because it'll probably be easy to find another or find it next year. Just a thought.
     
  10. CircusBoy

    CircusBoy Initiate (0) Mar 10, 2008 Ohio

    I feel so sorry for you.
     
    CerealKillerKP likes this.
  11. MarcWP

    MarcWP Initiate (0) Dec 2, 2012 Arizona

    Having had an almost 2 year old Juliet recently I can say I would prefer a little less sourness. So depending on how sour you like your beer I would drink Juliet and Lolita fresh, cellar Halia for a little more kick, and Gillian I see as something to drink fresh while the strawberry and pepper are fresh.
     
  12. C_Roetting

    C_Roetting Crusader (445) Aug 28, 2013 Kentucky

    If you can, absolutely drink one fresh and then cellar a second bottle for the future.

    If you don't have that option, I say drink them as you feel is appropriate; special occasion, friends in town, holiday, you're thirsty, etc. If you can only manage one bottle of something, I wouldn't rush drinking it unless it is a beer that showcases it's hop profile. But certainly find a reason to drink it at some point.
     
  13. mocktm

    mocktm Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2011 Virginia

    Sit on it. I've had it a few times now and its still super boozy. Should be glorious a little further down the line.
     
    Beeranator likes this.
  14. BrettHead

    BrettHead Initiate (0) Sep 18, 2010 Nebraska

    My Jan 2012 Juliet's are insanely sour now and my Nov 2011 Lolita's are pretty meh (no fruit left at all for one).

    So, to summarize:

    No one has experience aging Gillian and Halia (but having had Halia I think it might be better with a bit more sourness).
    Lolita is better fresh and Juliet holds up but does sorta become 1 note to me (that note being SOUR).
     
  15. tommyguz

    tommyguz Pooh-Bah (2,534) May 14, 2008 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I enjoy it as it is now, but yes I also think it has the possibility to be even better down the line! Glorious is a good word!
     
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