Cellar Reviews (2022)

While that does sound (and look) like a 120 based on your description, I'm fairly certain the 2003 release was only in 750mL bottles. It could be a 2004 though

 

High praise coming for you!! Seriously.

And for the record, @Fordcoyote15 does post enjoyable reviews.

 

OG from @KevSal

Yay

 

"Fordcoyote15" - noun. A rauchbier, smoked beer and aged beer fanatic.

This should put me to the test. Alaskan smoked porter is an absolute world class beer for me. The beer boldly claims it gets better with age but despite my many times purchasing it have never been able to sit on one longer than 2, maybe 3 years.

I scored a handful of older ones from beeradvocate member here and am digging into the oldest first. A 2007, now 15 years old and probably 10 years older than ive ever had this beer.

Look. As I know it. Even after 15 years it still holds its own. You can tell its 6-7% and not a 12% imperial monster but absolutely inviting looking. +/- fresh look is moot.

Smell. Jesus. I poured this 10 minutes ago and have since been taking the picture, uploading the picture, and starting this post/review. All I can fucking smell is smoked alder. Immensely and more intensely than I normally drink it. Maybe its because I pulled this from the cellar and only chilled it 20 minutes in the fridge. Maybe its just me at moment. Or maybe they previously brewed differently. Im getting a much sweeter more dessert-y smell from the beer/my living room too.

Taste - okay opposite. More char, more ash, more coal than ever before. Dig this surprise. Has an element of ash and smoke that reminds me of De Molen beers and Bo & Luke. Again, maybe the temperature but this is VERY different from the many of these I've drank between 2017-present. Absolutely NO diminishment of smokiness. In fact, as smoky/smokier than ever. My smokey perfection measuring stick is Schlenkerla Marzen (and will almost certainly never be topped/outdone) but damn does Alaskan smoked porter constantly come close... and this vintage moreso than ever.

Feel - Waxy. Softer and foamy-ier than normal (I actually usually find alaskan smoked porter ever so slightly acidic and volatile). This bottle is differently foamy. Forthy. No diminishment in carb, its all there. Finishes so stangely "waxy". My tongue it coated in smokey candle paraffin. Bizarre.

Overall, I honestly think this is the best Alaskan smoked porter I've ever had. Further - I truly don't believe many beers ACTUALLY improve with cellaring. I appreciate evaluating their change and enjoy the niche hobby of cellaring but most beers inevitably decline with age. Everything until the very final seconds of this beer I enjoy more. Likely it was just a different (maybe bigger, more smokey) beer back in the day, or perhaps maybe (unlikely) it actually improved with time. Who knows and I sure don't. But everything except the very end is better than I've previously known this brew.

 

Drinking a higher math from DFH. I despised this beer in its youth and middle age but now, finally, in its dotage it’s all fallen into place for me. Still sweet but no longer a complete robitussin disaster. Time seems to have balanced the flavors and thinned things out a bit while paradoxically, carbonation has greatly decreased and drinkability has increased. Strange but pleasing.

 

Was fortunate to be part of a three way bottle share for I believe only my second 2021 vintage BCBS release (my brother shared the Blanton's version in Vegas). Figured it may help those who still have this, though I don't have a fresh OG review to compare to how I experienced today.

Goose Island Bourbon County Double Barrel Toasted Barrel Stout



Bottle Notes: Bottled 7/21/21, not certain how this was stored until today. Develops in the bottle for up to 5 years, 16.0% ABV, Brewed, Barrel-Aged & Bottled by Goose Island Beer Co. Chicago, IL.

Appearance: Had a 4 oz and then 2 oz top off bottle pour into a narrow taster 30th Anniversary BCBS glass. Bottle was at room temperature, was refrigerated for about 90 minutes thereafter before serving. Pitch black base, creamy rich dark tan cream head, composed of razor thing fine bubbles. Top shelf hottie in appearance. 4.75

Aroma: Rich smooth bourbon aroma very strong, getting coconut next (there were no adjuncts including coconut), assuming the base. Not surprised of the strength of the bourbon due to the double barrel treatment. Tried a few times for more complexity, but this is the extent of my aroma experience. 4.25

Taste: Creamy rich milk chocolate leads, the bourbon recedes greatly in terms of expectations based on the nose. Bourbon very smooth and easy drinking. Was focused on any additional tasting notes but as with the notes, beyond the primary chocolate and secondary but well incorporated bourbon, this is what I gleamed. Really enjoying. 4.5

Mouthfeel: Creamy silky decadent body, one of the finest in terms of these attributes I can recall in a BCBS or other vintage imperial stout. Consistent with the taste, the bourbon was very accommodating, and this drank far lighter than the listed ABV or what I expected based on the aroma. No carbonation noted beyond the visible bubbles, wonderful flavor lingered. Just a wonderful mouthfeel. 4.75

Overall: The beer was very easy and had a deft touch in terms of the bourbon base interplay, somewhat unexpected based on the double barrel treatment. I've had other BCBS draft versions at the Fulton Taproom, and the bourbon was hot and overpowering. While I enjoyed those versions, I also like the rich chocolate base and feel. Overall, this was a great experience, and I'm much appreciative of my brother Andy pulling this one out to celebrate our Christmas gathering. 4.5

Price and value are subjective, and while I wouldn't necessarily run out to buy this one even after this review, I do believe we should all try and share a few more exclusive bottles with family and good friends. I'm hoping my final 2015 Rare bottle holds on until perhaps 2023 to share with both brothers the next time we are all together.

 

Even Cellar Dwellars! 2021 Samichlaus tonight, tis the season.


Pours crystal clear with a fingers width of tan head that dissipates fairly quickly. Stellar nose, fig/dates, doughy, like a sweet breakfast bread. I also get caramel, toffee, burnt sugar, christmas spices like nutmeg/cinnamon. Taste is even better than it smells as it’s more balanced and complex. The sweetness from the nose is present, but the spice is kicked up a notch and there’s a bit of fusel ethanol that balances it wonderfully. Flavors of fig, toffee, caramel; reminiscent of sticking toffee pudding. A little bit of white pepper spice and an almost clove like note to round out the flavor profile. It’s the lighter side of medium bodied with an appropriate carbonation, and an outright absurd drinkability for the ABV. Overall this is truly an exceptional beer. A treat everytime I have one.


4.5/4.5/4.75/5/4.5

(Original/fresh review: 4.25/4.25/4.75/4.25/4.75)

 

Cross posted from the Holiday Beer tasting thread

2009 bottle that's been in my cellar since it was fresh. Poured at cellar temperature, a thin layer of head forms on the pour but quickly fades to just a ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass. Big aroma of dried fruits, black cherry, pipe tobacco, leather, burnt sugar. Taste is similar, adding in some molasses, plum, a hint of smoke. Overall very complex, slightly sweet. Low carbonation level - mouthfeel is slick, coats the tongue.

 

2018 St Bernardus Christmas Ale

Drank at cellar temperature. Great head retention, stayed all the way to the bottom of the goblet. Aroma and taste has flavors of dark crusty bread, mild clove, a little plum and fig. Pleasant complexity without being overwhelming. Very smooth mouthfeel, almost creamy, carbonation from the extended bottle conditioning is very fine. Overall a great holiday beer!

 

Currently drinking a draught pour of 2019 Rye Barrel aged Old Rasputin.

Really wanted to jump in here and rave about what a gem it is, but if I'm being honest with you all (and myself) I have to say it's lost a step since it was fresh.

It's very smooth overall, with a sort of fig/prune flavor driving the bus and a rye spiced alcohol heat holding down the high notes. It's in the background, where the roasted coffee, charred wood, rich chocolate flavors play that it's lacking. Those flavors are present, along with a pleasant leather note, but they are getting elbowed out of the way by that apple flavored cardboard note of oxidation.

Still a very good beer, at least a 4 overall in my book and maybe a hair higher, but knowing just how much I loved this one fresh it's hard to ignore the fade.

BA stouts are definitely best drunk within a year or so in my opinion

 

Cross posting with the holiday beers tasting thread.

2021 Vintage, still a bit green as I think these continue to get better at least until year 2, yet it is still delicious. Substantially accentuated dark fruits compared to fresh, spice still a bit overly prominent which is what fades as it continues to develop. Just threw a 2015 in the fridge for later in the season. Love me some Santa Monks.

 

Another cross post with the holiday beer tasting thread. It is the most wonderful time of the year.

2020 Samichlaus.

As much potential as this beer has for
aging I actually think I prefer it fresh or with 1 year. It’s a bit one dimensional right now at 2 years, mostly just the sweet dark fruits and caramel without much balance. Still, very good and I have a bunch I plan to take out a number of more years to see how it continues to develop.

 

Cross-posting from @DIM ’s Barleywine thread…

§ucaba 2019 - Firestone Walker



Reviewed fresh at https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2210/41121/?ba=SLeffler27#review

And with age from the cellar…

No significant change in appearance or head performance.

The aroma is much more rich, with the raisins and brown sugar being more clearly defined. The leather and English drawing room holds up too, actually more like a musty 19th Century library, with light mustiness. Added prunes and a booziness similar to bourbon. It is a delight for the olfactory.

Sweetness has faded a little, letting the bitterness have a slight lead. The nose carries forward pleasantly. Whiskey is here and more decreeable with age. Raisins and figs sing. The finish has also shifted slightly bitter. Warmth is a good friend to this beer, bringing more character to the previously mentioned notes, and now the licorice comes very late.

Body is a tad thinner than full, and more slick than lush. These two bottles were bought together, and earlier I failed to catch that the label abv is “only” 11.3%, which seems about right tonight. The residual sugar is less pronounced, and consistent with the above perceptions.

My only regret is that I have no ascot, curved pipe, and cozy fire by my side. Then again…. That just might work out this coming weekend ;-)

 

This is one of my favorite barley wines! They never made it long cellaring

 

Revisiting Matt vintage 2019 tonight. I've had a few 2022's and a 2013, looking forward to returning to 2019 since it was my favorite when I had it in July 2021. My notes from then with a 4.72 score-

Aromas of smokey wood, vanilla, honey, chocolate, and booze soaked fruits, apple, cherry, figs, and grapes. Maybe a little marshmallow in there too. All of it mellow, unobtrusive, and seductive.

Tastes almost as good. Sweet, but with a lot of layers. Chocolate cake batter up front quickly joined by cherry and apple notes. The finish adds honey, vanilla, and a wonderful smokey bourbon note. So much more going on here beyond my ability to describe. The body is sticky and thick.

Overall this was a unique, magnificent treat, gonna need more.





Tonight I am once again absolutely loving this. The chocolate seems more subdued than what I described and smoke seems...smokier. Everything else seems very close to my notes above, but I wouldn't emphasize the sweetness as much tonight? The fruit notes are still wonderful with accents of vanilla and honey. This is just such a remarkable beer. Glad I've got a 2013, a 2019, and several 2022's to enjoy over the next decade, there isn't anything else like this out there.

This was first released way back in 2009, what an innovator Alan is. Was anyone else doing anything even remotely similar to this back then?
Brewed using two Munich malts, two Smoked malts and two types of Belgian candy sugar. It was aged in 33 year old Bourbon barrels and Apple Eau de Vie barrels for about one year.

 

I always note the chain of custody for my cellar reviews. Most beers were purchased fresh and either cellared (unheated underground basement) and refrigerated from purchased (or transferred from the cellar to the refrigerator) and I track these transfers and inventory in Excel. I have bought older bottles, mostly at store closures or closeout sales, so I just note the unknown storage until purchase.

Revolution has an ongoing sale of select Deep Woods vintages from 2021, which they over produced, leading to the Season Ticket Program this year to help match supply and demand. I am assuming these stouts were either held refrigerated at Revolution this entire time, or were perhaps delivered and then returned from/to their Distributor. I never cellar / always refrigerate cans that are not can conditioned, so for all my other Revolution reviews, these cans were purchased on release day and refrigerated until opening.

Today's exercise is to determine the condition of the one year old Deth's Tar purchased from this sale, which they still have at least six packages remaining (based on my Saturday night visit).





Canned 10/1/21, likely held refrigerated at the brewery and or distributor and then brewery before purchase two Fridays ago, refrigerated at home until opening.

OG Review = 2 Year Old 2017 can enjoyed in mid-November 2019

Poured to the 250 ML line (can 355 ml, or 12 oz), looks great with a dark rich creamy head, fine bubbles, leaves a ring around the rim. Smells a bit cardboardy, both at the onset and 15 minutes in. Getting harsher than normal bourbon aroma backing, and milk chocolate (vs. dark in OG review).

Bourbon strong up front, consistent with previous enjoyment, and the cardboard aroma is minimal and taste non existent after warming for 20 minutes. Not getting the vanilla noted, but that works for me. Thinner than anticipated, persistent tiny bubble remain throughout.

Overall, this version would rate as one of my Top 1-2 Dozen beers of all time, which the 4.71 OG rank places Deth Tar. That said, it still held up very well, and beyond the initial aromas, would be hard pressed to tell the possible difference in refrigerated storage over the past year vs. the tried and true refrigeration at home (no Com Ed blackouts for at least a few years, knock on Deep Wood).

Anyway, thanks for indulging my obsession of beer cellaring/refrigeration/distribution. I will rate Maple Jacket from this sale at an upcoming NBW/NBS, so hopefully that and the others have all held up well over the past year plus.

Cheers!

 

Longtime lurker here, gonna try giving a descriptive review.

2013 De Struise Black Albert - This was bought from Beer Universe in Troy, NY Labor Day weekend so not the best cellar conditions. Was in the fridge for a week or so before opening tonight.

Opens with a slight hiss, still some slight carb but pours pretty still. Looks like a typical RIS. Even taking the first sip still cold it tastes like I can't imagine it's lost much if anything. Thick, full mouthfeel, boozy. You can smell the 13%

Tiny bit of sediment but it is one of the best stouts I've had in a LONG time. Dark fruits, toffee, nose of leather. Cheers!

 

Thanks for posting your review! Your Russian Imperial Stout held up really well over nine years.

Hope you join us again, either here or the 2023 thread.