Cellar Review Thread (2025)

Ozark BDCS 2023. Hoping it's just this can, but carbonation is not really there. Flavors are great, loads of chocolate & cocoa, not much barrel, but some, body is what really suffers

 

I’ll join you with a ‘23:

Most of the laundry list of additives have faded considerably, but the double barrel stout part is still quite good. Hopefully I can find a fresh one to replace my review.
Cross post with the imperial stout thread, been a while since I have posted here so thought I would.
Cheers!

 

Trillium - Fated Farmer: Pinot Noir (2019)

330ml bottle dated 11-Apr-19 pours hazy scarlet orange red with a dense creamy white foam head. Smells real complex, wild and lambicy, slightly vinous with fresh Pinot Noir red wine grapes, tart red fruit notes, lemony citrus, toasty hay, straw, wheaty grainy malts, leathery barnyard funk, oak barrel, wildflowers, tea, and dusty herbal earthy aged hops.

Tastes really tart and acidic with fruity light red wine notes, Pinot Noir black grapes, tart red fruit, sour lemony citrus, toasty hay, straw, wheaty grainy doughy biscuity malts, woody oak barrel, leathery barnyard funk, wildflowers, tea, and dusty herbal earthy aged hops. Feels medium bodied, creamy and crisp with smooth moderate carbonation and moderate high acidity. Overall a really nice and interesting barrel fermented wild ale with Pinot Noir grapes that is still drinking really well right now. Cheers all!

 

Trillium - Fated Farmer: Concord Grape (2020)



Bottle dated 21/Jan/2020 pours slightly hazy scarlet red orange with a dense creamy white foam head. Smells real grapey, floral, fruity, jammy, tannic with sweet black grape skins, candied grape, jelly jam, some rose flower, straw, toasty hay, oak, some bready wheaty malt, peppercorn spice, hint of wild barnyard funk, and dusty herbal earthy grassy aged hops.

Tastes a lot drier and more sour than expected with tart black grapes, candied grape jam, lemon, some straw, toasty hay, nutty woody oak, bready wheaty grainy biscuity malt, peppercorn spice, mild barnyard funk, wildflowers, and dusty herbal earthy grassy aged hops. Feels medium bodied, creamy and slick with smooth moderate carbonation and moderate acidity. Overall another nice barrel fermented wild ale with Concord grapes that still holds up over 5 years later. Cheers!

 

Trillium - Long Life: Peach (2018)

Bottle dated 12/Oct/18 pours a hazy cloudy dark apricot orange color with a creamy frothy white foam head. Smells wild like a lambic, tart, fruity and funky with fresh peaches, slight acetic vinous white wine grapes, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc wines, notes of diesely petrol, zesty tropical fruits, passionfruit, pineapple, guava, grapefruit, lime, lemony orange citrus, pear, some light toasty caramelized wheaty grainy rye malts, hay, straw, leathery oak, mild barnyard funk, and floral dusty herbal earthy grassy hops.

Tastes really nice, fruity and peachy with big fresh natural tart peaches, white wine grapes, some diesely petrol notes, honey, beeswax, zesty tropical fruit like pineapple, passionfruit, guava, grapefruit, lime, lemony orange citrus, orchard fruit, pear, light toasty caramelized wheaty grainy rye malts, hay, straw, leathery oak barrel, mild barnyard funk, and floral dusty herbal earthy grassy hops. Feels medium plus bodied, slick and smooth with moderate carbonation and moderate acidity. Overall a really nice and interesting wild ale aged in oak with wine grapes, hops and fresh fruit that is still drinking really well today. Cheers all!

 

Trillium - Long Life: Apricot (2018)

Bottle dated 13/Dec/18 pours foggy hazy dark apricot orange with a creamy frothy white foam head. Smells like fresh tart apricots, sweet Muscat white wine grape juice, orange citrus, lemon, pear, orchard fruit, peachy stone fruit, light toasty caramelized wheaty bready doughy grainy rye malts, hints of cinnamony baking spice, hay, straw, oak, mild barnyard funk, and floral dusty earthy herbal grassy hops.

Tastes like fruity fresh tart apricots, sweet Muscat white wine grape juice, notes of orange citrus, lemon, pear, apple, orchard fruit, peachy stone fruit, light toasty caramelized wheaty bready grainy rye malts, hint of cinnamony baking spice, hay, straw, oak barrel, mild barnyard funk, and floral dusty earthy herbal grassy hops. Feels medium plus bodied, slick and smooth with moderate carbonation and moderate acidity. Overall another real nice one!

This is an interesting line and I kinda wanted more from it, these two beers are really great on their own though. A tasty blend of natural fresh fruit, wine grapes and a different hop feature in an oak aged wild ale. These beers drink juicy and fruity, slightly vinous and complex, wild and rustic, a little blend of different styles that work well together. Cheers!

 

Trillium - Wild Sinister Kid: Black Currant Pinot Noir

330ml bottle dated 05/Sept/2019 pours cloudy opaque dark maroon red brown with a dense creamy pinkish beige khaki colored foam head. Smells like acetic red wine, bourbon oak barrel, tart Pinot Noir grapes, fresh black currants, forest berries, red fruit, dark fruit, dried fruit, chocolate, molasses, toffee, toasted bready dark caramel malts, hint of vanilla, spice, subtle funk, tobacco, and floral earthy herbal grassy hops.

Tastes real smooth and well put together with fruity red wine notes and rich bourbon barrel, juicy Pinot Noir grapes, fresh black currants, tart red fruit, dark fruit, dried fruit, pomegranate, cherry, strawberry, raspberry, plum, raisin, fig, dates, chocolate, molasses, toffee, toasted bready dark caramel malts, vanilla, spice, tobacco, mild leather, subtle barnyard funk, and floral earthy herbal grassy hops. Feels medium plus bodied, slick with smooth moderate carbonation and moderate acidity. Overall a really great wild Belgian dark strong ale aged in red wine and bourbon barrels with black currants and Pinot Noir grapes.

This aged really well over the past 5+ years and has a nice smooth flavor and feel now with well integrated acidity. The rich dark malts have become more pronounced and sweeter in time, the fresh black currants remain earthy and complex with a foresty herbaceousness, the Pinot Noir red wine grapes are juicy and fruity with light tannins, and the oak barrels shine with rich bourbon and fine red wine notes. The aroma has slight acetic vinegary sour notes alongside a deep earthy herbaceousness, the flavor right now is real smoothed out with dark fruity black currants and juicy Pinot Noir grapes over the dark rich malts and oak barrels. Not too funky or overly sour and acidic thankfully, really enjoying this one. Cheers!

 

Trillium - Wild Sinister Kid: Blackberry Cabernet

Bottle dated 19/Sept/2019 pours hazy dark maroon red with a creamy beige khaki colored foam head. Smells like a full bodied Cabernet red wine, fresh fruity blackberries, graham cracker, rich toasted brown bready dark caramel malts, toffee, molasses, slight butterscotch, vanilla, some chocolate, brown sugar, bourbon oak barrel, tannic red wine, dark fruits, black fruit, dried fruit, raisin, fig, dates, plum, black cherry, mixed berries, licorice, tobacco, spice, subtle funk, and floral earthy herbal grassy hops.

Tastes fairly acidic and sour with fresh fruity blackberry juice, tart Cabernet Sauvignon black grapes, tannic red wine, rich bourbon oak barrel, dark fruits, black fruit, dried fruit, mixed berries, black cherry, plum, raisin, fig, dates, graham crackery dark toasted brown bready caramel malts, molasses, brown sugar, toffee, chocolate, vanilla, licorice, mild tobacco, spice, subtle barnyard funk, and floral earthy herbal grassy hops. Feels medium plus bodied, slick and smooth with moderate carbonation and moderate acidity. Overall a really nice rendition of this beer.

This version is drinking nicely with blackberries and Cabernet grapes pairing well together and a smooth rich bourbon barrel aged dark malty base bringing out rich caramel and chocolate flavors. Less vinegary acetic acid notes in this, although it is pretty acidic and sour tasting the rich malts and barrel pull through in this one to balance and smooth things out. Really great red wine inspired beer. Cheers all!

 

2018 Goose Island Barleywine with coffee.
Well, maybe 5 or 7 years ago it had coffee, not so much anymore.
Still a great barleywine though.
Cheers all!

 

Here is another cellar pull, one of my last ones from the previous decade. Haven't gotten much coffee from this one fresh or aged in the past, not expecting much before popping it open. Have enjoyed other aspects of these beers.

Lagunitas Willettized (2019)

• 12/20/19: Bomber (22 oz - 12.9% ABV) likely bottled in California based ion Vegas purchase. This was shared with my brother on 12/20/19, though didn't note vintage.

Versus

• 5/5/25: 12 oz 2019 Vintage bottled October 15, 2019 (Bottle Code 288 (Julian Date) 9 (Year) 2 (Chicago - RIP). Purchased fresh, cellared until February 6, 2025, then transferred to the refrigerator until opening this morning. Let this set 15 minutes before reviewing for proper temperature.

Appearance:

• 12/20/19: Poured into a nonic glass. Black pour, rich creamy tan head & generous lacing. 4.5
• 5/5/25: Near pitch black with hints of dark brown, creamy ring around the base the lone movement, poured very still. 3.75

Aroma:

• 12/20/19: Strong whiskey aroma. 3.75
• 5/5/25: More coffee than expected, some what oxidized base, sweet Jim Beam like whiskey. Unexpected on each account. 3.5

Taste:

• 12/20/19: Strong whiskey taste, light malt and coffee noted, but whiskey overwhelms. 3.75
• 5/5/25: Willett very strong, getting a dark roast coffee and strong bakers chocolate base. All come together well, much better than expected or even what my "fresh" notes indicate. 4.25

Mouthfeel:

• 12/20/19: Creamy rich mouthfeel, light carbonation, smooth drinking. 4.25
• 5/5/25: Silky smooth, negligible carbonation. Drinks strong, at or perhaps a bit above the ABV.. Nice balanced aged, better than fresh, between the base and barrel, between sweet and bitter. Willett leads the finish, bakers chocolate second, coffee bronze. 4.25

Overall:

• 12/20/19: Overall, very good offering. 4.0
• 5/5/25: This held up very well, much better than expected. Glad I have a few left, hope the 2020 vintage four pack is also as good. 4.25

 

2021 (Late in year) Puhaste Surmapatt. Imperial Porter, 12%

Fabulous robust beer. Thick chocolate, light smoke, chocolate coat wrapping the beer with hops that have been retained. Old school high abv beverage. 4.05 rate sammy four!

Three years' cellaring before I post is my policy now, but with cans being used...will have to revisit.

 

Trillium - Dogtooth Violet (2018)

330ml bottle dated 26-Oct-18 pours mostly clear amber gold orange with a dense creamy white foam head. Smells real nice and complex, elegant, floral and funky with notes of fresh lemon, apricot, barnyard horseblanket, hay, straw, light toasty bready biscuity grainy malt, slight honey, green tea, wildflowers and dusty floral earthy herbal grassy aged hops.

Tastes fairly dry, rustic and grainy with notes of hay, straw, some leathery barnyard funk, tart lemon, apricot, light toasty bready biscuity grainy malt, slight honey, tea leaves, lemongrass, dandelion, hints of lavender, and dusty floral earthy herbal grassy aged hops. Feels medium lighter bodied, creamy smooth with moderate carbonation and low acidity. Overall a nice wild ale that remains simple yet complex. Cheers!

 

Skully Barrel No. 36 - Paradox Beer Company - Divide, CO - Wild Ale - 7.5%

Never had this fresh. I would say this beer is quite good even 10 years on.
Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29972/204865/
4.3/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From a 500ml bottle. This is the 2015 edition.

There was a bit of a hiss and a bit of smoke upon opening the bottle. This beer is a murky orange color. There's a bit of carbonation in this beer, and there's a 1 finger white head to it. The head retention isn't the best, and there's no lacing left on the glass.
Holy heck this beer is funky, and in a good way on the nose. So much grass aroma, with lots of earthy notes. There's tons of wild floral elements in here. I am getting faint notes of the coconut added, but I bet it has faded off over the decade.
The flavor is interesting in a good way. I do get coconut up front. This flavor is slightly sweet. The coconut does linger for a bit. The coconut fades and is just added on to by the wild tartness of this beer. The flavor has grassy, earthy, and floral elements.
The body is bubbly, though the head didn't last long. It is full feeling. The tart feeling just clings in my throat.
I didn't ever have this fresh. I can only imagine how it was back in the day. In this day, this beer is delicious, and held up amazingly.

 

Howdy Cellar Dwellers. Been a while. I haven’t been drinking much beer at all (although the gin and whiskeys been flowing). Revisiting today with the 2020 3F Braambes Oogst. Label specifically says 2020 , although it was technically bottled 1/26/2021. Assume the 2020 is when the final blending steps occurred. Anyways, this one’s new to me so no fresh comparison. Let’s seen how it’s drinking.

A: Beautiful ruby color, crystal clear, 1 fingers width of bright white head, ok retention, limited lacing. Sure is a pretty pour 4.75

S: Smells quite sour, tart citrus, berry characters on the milder end for a denser fruited lambic, some really nice plastic like funk notes. Wonderful nose. 4.5

T: Immediately packs a sour punch with a big funk character. The sour notes are puckering at time, which is of course a good thing. The funk characters aren’t particularly pungent, more on the lines of plastic and what I poorly but consistently describe as a funk bitterness. Lots of citrus pith. Like the nose, berry characters are not particularly prominent but there is a bit there to provide some balance. 4.25

M/D: Effervescent carbonation, nice body, has the combination of huge carbonation but smoothly drinkable that is classic of elite lambics. Very drinkable. 4.75

O: An excellent beer as would be expected with a 3F lambic. I could have used some more berry notes, may be a product of the age but it’s not that old for a lambic. Overall, very enjoyable, even at the price point I’ll probably pick up another bottle next time I see it as it’s so great that 3Fs are shelf turds now! 4.25





Cheers Beer Nerds!

 

Trillium - Rue Anemone (2021)

330ml bottle dated 02/12/2021 pours slightly hazy amber gold orange with a dense creamy white foam head. Smells oaky, funky and floral with citrus fruits, lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit, woody oak, wild barnyard funk, straw, hay, toasty biscuity malt, wildflowers, and herbal earthy grassy floral hops.

Tastes tart and juicy with fresh citrus notes, lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit, nutty woody oak, lightly toasted biscuity malt, hay, straw, mild funk, wildflowers, and herbal earthy grassy floral hops. Feels medium bodied, crisp and smooth with moderate carbonation and acidity. Overall a real nice oak foeder aged wild ale.