Cellaring 120 minute question

I also would like to know. I have one, although it says ages well on the bottle, i'm a little skeptical since ipa's are usually better fresh.

 

Don't think of it as an IPA, a DIPA, or even a TIPA. Its 120 minute, which is its own genre. The stuff will age forever and ever. The oldest I've tried was a 2006 vintage which still maintained a huge hop presence. With some age it starts to turn from an intense hop liqueur, into a maltier smoother beer with almost barley wine like qualities. Refrigeration will slow down the aging process, warmer temperatures will increase it. Honestly though at 18% abv its a really sturdy beer so as long as its out of the sunlight and not in excessively high or low temeratures it should hold up fine. If I were in your shoes I'd crack one every 6 months to see the progression of an aged beer.

 

I hope i'm not intruding in Giantspace's thread but what about the Unearthly Ipa from Southern Tier? I had one last night and maybe my expectations were too high but all I got from it is a boozy almost sloppy IIPA. I still have 4 left and they weren't cheap. Do you think a little age on these will help or harm?

 

I wouldn't age that beer. In my opinion 120 minute and devil dancer are the only IPA's that really improve with cellaring. I've never had unearthly but it sounds like its either not very fresh or you just don't like it. With IPA's after a few months the hops will fade away and the malt backbone will really start to come through. Being an almost 10% abv beer it may taste like crap when its old. Try and find a date stamp somewhere on the bottle.

 

Trust me I looked everywhere. When i bought it, I even asked the lady to bring me out a case so I could look on it. I hope it's not because it's not fresh. They had just received it so that would be a bummer.

 

Its probably fairly fresh then if they just received it. Sounds like you just don't like it, maybe its the hop varieties they use.

 

I'll wait a few days before i try it again. thanks for your input

 

120 doesnt have a hop presence really. dont even think of it as a hoppy beer. with age it gets less hot for sure. if you enjoyed it on tap you will prolly enjoy it more with age on it. this is how i feel at least. with that many though you can do it all!

 

120 Min aged for 4+ years becomes candy. It tastes so good. Let those bottles rest and enjoy them later.

 

I had a 2003 120 Min last year. It was great! It tasted like a very boozy barleywine.

 

Drink one now and each year for the next 11.

 

Had a 2007 and 2011 side by side in a tasting. It's amazing how the color and tastes change. I suggest doing that since you have an abundance.

 

I agree with aging reducing the heat. I personally think it is at it's best when on draft and fresh, second with 6+ months on the bottle. With that being said, I *think* I notice a difference in 120 ever since the original brewer left. Take it with a grain of salt, that is just this guys opinion. It is still good, just a skosh different.
~Phil

 

I usually just think of it as a big fat American Barleywine and treat it as such.