Cellar or Not?

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

what about a k13?

 

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.

 

I feel so sorry for you.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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).

 

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!