Double Crooked Tree aging

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by NoLeafClover44, Feb 28, 2012.

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  1. NoLeafClover44

    NoLeafClover44 Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2011 Delaware

    Just snagged a four pack of the latest batch in a trade. I was surprised to see "ages well" printed on the bottle and wanted to know if anyone has experience with it. I found a few articles/blogs online on the subject but they seemed to give mixed reviews of the effects of age. I realize the benefits of aging depend on your tastes and opinion, but I would be interesed to know any specific experiences with aging this huge DIPA. I was thinking of putting two away because this beer is not typically available to me.
     
    #1 NoLeafClover44, Feb 28, 2012
  2. yamar68

    yamar68 Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2011 Minnesota

    I haven't done anything too extreme to it, but I have a year-old pack of them now that are drinking very nicely. Personally I felt like the beer came off more as a barleywine to begin with so it seemed like a natural experiment to conduct. Cheers!
     
    #2 yamar68, Feb 28, 2012
    EricCioe likes this.
  3. NoLeafClover44

    NoLeafClover44 Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2011 Delaware

    Thanks for the input. I had heard it drinks somewhat like a barleywine, although haven't had one yet. I guess the most logical thing to do is drink one, then decide what to do with the other three. I see that there has been a shift to lower ABV (13.5% to 12%) in the last year, so I wonder what in the recipe has changed.
     
    #3 NoLeafClover44, Feb 28, 2012
  4. yamar68

    yamar68 Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2011 Minnesota

    Interesting, I haven't tried the latest batch. I hope they didn't change it up TOO much.
     
    #4 yamar68, Feb 28, 2012
  5. Zaphog

    Zaphog Grand Pooh-Bah (4,676) Sep 23, 2011 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The latest batch is 13.6% ABV. I picked it up last week.
     
    #5 Zaphog, Feb 28, 2012
  6. NoLeafClover44

    NoLeafClover44 Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2011 Delaware

    Interesting. I was going by the dark horse website (says 12) compared to BA listing (13.6). I looked and couldn't find an ABV on the bottle, although I know what I have is the latest release. Out of curiosity, where did you find your ABV info?
     
    #6 NoLeafClover44, Feb 28, 2012
  7. EricCioe

    EricCioe Initiate (0) Aug 7, 2010 Montana

    I don't trust abv labels too much. Breweries have been known to jimmy them a bit to fit into more distribution areas.
     
    #7 EricCioe, Feb 28, 2012
  8. strangebrew321

    strangebrew321 Pundit (810) Feb 18, 2009 Indiana
    Trader

    #8 strangebrew321, Feb 28, 2012
  9. NoLeafClover44

    NoLeafClover44 Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2011 Delaware

    Good point, I hadn't considered this. Saying 12% would allow distribution to Ohio. I wasn't concerned with the ABV as much as I was with how the change in ABV would have indicated a difference in recipe and flavor.
     
    #9 NoLeafClover44, Feb 28, 2012
  10. CellarGimp

    CellarGimp Initiate (0) Sep 14, 2011 Missouri

    Age it. Tastes pretty chivey fresh. Similar to Devil Dancer but not as offensive.
     
    #10 CellarGimp, Feb 28, 2012
  11. NoLeafClover44

    NoLeafClover44 Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2011 Delaware

    I did a quick search of the threads in the aging category, although this only includes the very recent, until we get the old ones archived. If it wasn't for the downed forums I probably could have gotten sufficient information to not need to post this thread!
     
    #11 NoLeafClover44, Feb 28, 2012
  12. RyanDouglasWhite

    RyanDouglasWhite Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Michigan

    I absolutely love this with a year on it and can't wait to try a few bottles on down the road. It definitely loses some of the hoppiness though.
     
    #12 RyanDouglasWhite, Feb 28, 2012
  13. yamar68

    yamar68 Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2011 Minnesota

    Here in MN we needn't worry about ABV restrictions but it's pretty awesome that breweries are willing to risk their licenses in order to ship to certain colonies.
     
    #13 yamar68, Feb 28, 2012
  14. BirdsandHops

    BirdsandHops Grand Pooh-Bah (3,061) Apr 14, 2008 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    I have 1 or 2 bottles that are two years old at this point that I'm curious to try along side a fresh bottle.
     
    #14 BirdsandHops, Feb 28, 2012
  15. Zaphog

    Zaphog Grand Pooh-Bah (4,676) Sep 23, 2011 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's on the 4 pack case. (cardboard or whatever it is called)
     
    #15 Zaphog, Feb 29, 2012
  16. NoLeafClover44

    NoLeafClover44 Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2011 Delaware

    I see. I got it in a trade so I got the bottles but not the cardboard. Also, our avatars are very similar yet extremely different, but I'm sure we can both agree on one thing: fuck da bears :grinning:
     
    #16 NoLeafClover44, Feb 29, 2012
  17. Zaphog

    Zaphog Grand Pooh-Bah (4,676) Sep 23, 2011 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah I can def agree with that!

    But yeah, right on the cardboard it says, "Because this beer is so balanced you don't taste the alcohol, but its there representing at 13.6% so be careful!"
     
    #17 Zaphog, Feb 29, 2012
  18. kzoobrew

    kzoobrew Initiate (0) May 8, 2006 Michigan

    Last years batch said 13.6 in Michigan and I beleive 12 in Minnesota and Ohio if I recall some conversation correctly.

    Deschutes doubles the recipe for a Pale Ale and calls it a Barleywine. Dark Horse doubles an IPA and calls it a DIPA. Take that for what it's worth. Personally I have no issue sitting on this one.
     
    #18 kzoobrew, Feb 29, 2012
  19. eawolff99

    eawolff99 Pooh-Bah (2,422) May 10, 2010 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I have a 4yr vert going on this one -- I had one of my old ones last year (so 3 years old) and it was stellar -- definitely agree with kzoo, sit on 'em, turns into a pretty gnarly bwine -- every year I have a couple of them fresh and always kick myself, mediocre beer fresh. Just my $0.02.
     
    #19 eawolff99, Mar 4, 2012
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