Collage

read through this thread and you'll find some answers:
http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/deschutes-hotd-collage-beer-dinner.14563/page-2

 

Maybe this thread will take over from the dinner thread. That would be a good thing.
I had it on tap at the Deschutes Taphouse in Portland the day of the release & secured nine bottles for my stash thanks to wife & friend who don't drink beer. Though given its availability, I don't understand the three bottle limit in the first place.
I expect it to age extremely well but you need to go back & buy another so you can decide for yourself.
Waiting for the right day to pop a bottle to check it out in a more subdued setting.

 

Why age something you haven't tried in the first place? Only one way to find out if you think it needs age. Better drug k One fresh now while they're still available.

 

I bought 12 bottles between Thursday morning and yesterday, and because I got half of those on Sunday (Whole Foods, 20% off) my average price was under $10/bottle. I admit I got a little (OK, very) caught up in the frenzy; last time that happened I bought a case of Parabola over the course of several weeks, and I still have 9 bottles in the cellar. Along with a case of Abyss, a dozen Stone IRS, a bunch of Abacus etc... I'm actually still debating whether to return a few bottles of Collage, which I can because it's Whole Foods.

As for whether to drink now, if you have only one bottle and don't intend to buy more, frankly I'd wait. The label says "best after 4/30/2012." Like other Deschutes beers with "best after" dates, I personally stick them in the cellar and let them mature as the brewer intends. But as others have said, if you can afford it buy another and try one now.

Reading the reviews so far, it sounds like this beer could still use some more settling down. But that could also be conjecture; who really knows how it will change in a year or two?

P.S. weird how some stores like Whole Foods had zero bottle limits but the brewpub apparently did. When I showed up on Thursday after receiving a tweet about it, some other guy who showed up @ exactly the same time bought a dozen right there. I was originally going to buy 2, then I changed my mind and grabbed 4 and by the time I was at the checkout I had 6... They got 10 cases so I figured there was plenty to go around. They still had several cases on the floor on Sunday when I stopped back in. Seattle is kind of awesome that way.

 

I bought two bottles. Will probably have one sometime this week and then let the other sit until next year.

And Whole Foods never has bottle limits. Some jackass walked out of the RSQ store with all their Abyss except for one bottle that I got. They don't have bottle limits on 120 Minute or Pliny, either.

 

The beer was good, but its not something I will be dropping the money for again.

 

Ya i think its overhyped big time. I got the 3 bottle limit opening day. Tasted 1, saved 1 for friend, aging the 3rd one until next may. Yes this beer will get better w/ age. But if u just have one bottle, i wouldnt wait. Pop that mutha flucca open. Collage for me was a 7/10. Dissident took over the beer, which was disappointing
A-

 

Weird. Given the way you gushed about the 2010 Dissident back when you were OregonKnowsBest, I'd have thought you'd be all over this release.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed it. The sour to bourbon is something I have never experienced before. It was a little hot and more two or three dimensional than I would have liked but I expect both of those things to change with age. Plus I got my money's worth, it lasted me near an hour and a half. I bought three and will probably pick up a few more, truly a beer that won't be made.

 

Just so you know, 7/10 is 70%. That's a C-, not an A-

 

Are you reviewing Russian River's Procrastination?

 

The 2010 Dissident served me in more ways then just one if you catch my drift.

 

Ole' AJ always uses the "A-" as his signature. Check his past posts and you'll see it on every single one of them. Ramnuts alerted me to his posting prowess and now I'm a junkie waiting for my next hit!

 

Take this for what it's worth, but at the Collage dinner Gary and Alan were quite proud of the turnout, and the beer, Alan said he was quite proud and that we can probably expect Collage 2 in 2015. Now again, don't quote me here, but that was what was said. IF it does happen, will it be the same beer? Will it be the same 4 beers but aged in different barrels next time? I have no idea. Just thought I should point that out to those who didn't attend the dinner in Portland. It may be brewed again...

 

Oh ok. Definitely looked like "7/10. A-" lol

 

I'm confused. One-dimensional is usually a criticism of a beer. But two or three dimensional is also bad?

 

Fair point, but I am kind of surprised you didn't know what I meant. I think because of the number of different beers and barrels that went into this beer, maybe I would pick up a few more layers. As it warmed up they were coming out and I expect age to help as well.