Chocolate Rain--Fresh or Aged?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Hophead717, Apr 4, 2012.

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  1. Hophead717

    Hophead717 Initiate (0) Oct 21, 2011 Massachusetts

    I have a question, especially for those of you lucky enough to try Chocolate Rain fresh and with some time in the cellar: Will Chocolate Rain gain from aging, or is it best fresh?

    I'll note that I've never tried it, so I'm definitely inclined to have it fresh. Also, with the chocolate and vanilla added, it would seem more natural to enjoy this one fresh. I may have the opportunity to swap a batch 2 bottle for a batch 1 bottle, though. Should I pursue this opportunity, or enjoy the fresh bottle?

    Thanks for any advice!
     
    #1 Hophead717, Apr 4, 2012
  2. MarkIntihar

    MarkIntihar Initiate (0) Mar 17, 2010 Michigan

    Both times I was fortunate enough to try it, I thought it was WAY too hot. I think it will benefit from some time in the cellar. Then again, if you like that bourbony heat, you might enjoy it better fresh.
     
    #2 MarkIntihar, Apr 4, 2012
  3. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Batch 1 is rarer, so it'll taste better.

    FWIW I don't think it's hot at all, unlike the poster above. If I were you I'd do the straight up swap.
     
    #3 stupac2, Apr 4, 2012
    jtmartino and afrokaze like this.
  4. Auracom

    Auracom Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2010 Illinois

    I'd try Batch 2 fresh. I found the heat very tolerable.
     
    #4 Auracom, Apr 4, 2012
  5. afrokaze

    afrokaze Pooh-Bah (1,962) Jun 12, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The age will definitely make it better IMO, do the swap.
     
    #5 afrokaze, Apr 4, 2012
  6. claaark13

    claaark13 Maven (1,412) Nov 29, 2007 Indiana
    Trader

    You should consider that they are two different batches, two different ABV%.

    I had a b1 last night. It was still hot. There were a lot of great things going on, but when compared to my notes from May 2011 I'd say it hasn't changed too much. What appears to be the biggest difference is that I may have found more vanilla in the b1 when it was fresh, but I'm going off of notes at the end of a drunken tasting.

    I haven't had b2, but I was told it was hot.
     
    #6 claaark13, Apr 5, 2012
  7. UNCCTDawg

    UNCCTDawg Initiate (0) Nov 30, 2011 North Carolina

    I had the pleasure of having a CR fresh, 2 weeks ago after this years batch came out. It was HOT in my opinion, but that's compared to some of the other BA beers that are notoriously smooth... Other than the strong alcohol blast up front, I thought the CR was very good. I got another one in trade to keep. I'm thinking 3 years in the cellar will do this one wonders.
     
    #7 UNCCTDawg, Apr 6, 2012
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