Cellaring New Glarus Cran-Bic (and fruit beers)

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by bubseymour, Oct 12, 2016.

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  1. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    So a buddy of mine just brought me back from Wisconsin a 4 pack of NG Thumbprint Cran-Bic. Absolutely amazing beer (fresh). It has a very feint funk to it and personally I think it would be even better beer (to my tastes) with a little more funk going on. Anyone plan to cellar this or know whether this beer has cellar-worthy potential? Just wondering what to expect with 1 or 2 years of age on this one and if its worthwhile or not to age it.

    Also what are experiences with cellaring Serendipity or Belgian Red. I've had them fresh a couple times, but got some more bottles and was considering to see what they are like with 1-2 years on them.
     
    #1 bubseymour, Oct 12, 2016
  2. not2quick

    not2quick Grand Pooh-Bah (3,600) Dec 1, 2015 Missouri
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    From what I've been told the fruits hold up for a year or two, but don't get "better". I tend to drink them within a year. I will however hold on to my oud Bruin for up to two years possibly three and do a 3yr vert.
     
    #2 not2quick, Oct 12, 2016
  3. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah, the fruits (Serendipity, Belgian Red etc) I don't think have the yeast/bacteria in them like sours/Belgians to change much at all with age, but I'm thinking the Lambic should. I think I'll sit on one for a year. If anyone has cellar info. to report on any of the NG R&D's or Thumbprint stuff let me know. I'm curious.
     
    #3 bubseymour, Oct 13, 2016
  4. Heretic42

    Heretic42 Savant (1,118) Aug 31, 2011 Texas

    From what I've heard, only the R&D beers are unpasteurized, so you're not going to get more funk. You will get some oxidation to help temper some of the sweetness though.
     
    #4 Heretic42, Oct 13, 2016
  5. bloatednemesis

    bloatednemesis Initiate (0) Jan 26, 2015 Wisconsin

    I have it on good authority that some beers are pasteurized, some aren't. It depends. The year round fruit beers, Serendipity, Belgian Red, and Raspberry Tart, are pasteurized. Some aren't. The example given to me of one that wasn't is Moon Man. I didn't ask about the Thumbprint Series or Cran-Bic in particular. I'll try to soon. Anyway, it might not be pasteurized. I'm holding on to a few just in case.
     
    #5 bloatednemesis, Oct 13, 2016
  6. Scott17Taylor

    Scott17Taylor Initiate (0) Oct 28, 2013 Iowa
    Trader

    The fruits cellar well, they don't change a whole lot but if you drink an aged one next to a fresh one you'll notice the aged is actually a bit sweeter.
     
    #6 Scott17Taylor, Oct 14, 2016
  7. bloatednemesis

    bloatednemesis Initiate (0) Jan 26, 2015 Wisconsin

    Implying the tartness dissipates? Cool.
     
    #7 bloatednemesis, Oct 14, 2016
  8. Scott17Taylor

    Scott17Taylor Initiate (0) Oct 28, 2013 Iowa
    Trader

    It does a little, not a ton, but it is noticeable.
     
    #8 Scott17Taylor, Oct 14, 2016
  9. RStaff4

    RStaff4 Initiate (0) Oct 5, 2014 Illinois

    Hoping to report back after a year on Cran-bic....assuming I don't drink them all. By far my favorite this year.
     
    #9 RStaff4, Oct 14, 2016
  10. mykey120

    mykey120 Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2012 Wisconsin

    I believe the only thumbprint that was not pasteurized was the wild sour. The others are pasteurized (cranbic/enigma/oud bruin all included) so they don't change that much with age. R&D beers are unpasteurized though
     
    #10 mykey120, Oct 22, 2016
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