February 2018 Cellar Reviews

I had a 2012 as well on the same day! Unfortunately mine tasted like nail polish remover

 

Have 2 naaah tella crowlers from the answer canned on 12/19/2017. Tried one fresh and haven’t opened the other. Think it can age abit?

 

The Bruery - 2009 2 Turtle Doves

This was an unexpected gift from my dog walking friends who dropped this and other brews on me as they clean out their beer fridge in anticipation of a move to San Diego (my avatar, Teddy, and I would gladly sacrifice the beer to have them stay...). I can sometimes be an impulsive idiot, like when I figured this was maybe three years old and cracked it open and thought "wow this tastes nicely aged but maybe it's older than 2015" and went scurrying off to The Bruery's website where they have an outstanding list of what was released when, year by year, instead of putting on the label when it was bottled. In fairness to me, I'd put cash money that my friend picked this up later than 2009 on a west coast trip where some place had a full Bruery Christmas arsenal.

I don't have a younger version of this to compare it to but to me this is what the epitome of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale is all about. It poured into a long stemmed tulip a very dark brown with a full dark tan head which dissipated quickly with almost no lacing. Smell is still pretty boozy with lots of dark fruit flavors and the taste almost perfectly reflects that although as it warms the interplay of flavors becomes more complex. Mouthfeel is what it is for a sipper like this. I don't detect any off tastes that sometime get associated with aging. I'm not aware of what The Bruery's game plan was for this was, like maybe I should've waited longer until all 12 days of Christmas had been released before drinking this. Or maybe today was the absolute optimum time to be drinking this bad boy. The only thing I regret is not sharing this 750 ml with someone who would likewise appreciate it. But I am definitely up to the task of seeing this through.

 

Had a 90 minute DFH aged 1 year. Tastes better than fresh imo.

Was moreso like a barley wine than a DIPA, reminded me a lot of Bigfoot. Not a fan of fresh 90 minute but man this felt like a treasure a year later.

Had some malt backbone with honeycomb, fruity flavor along with oily, pine resin hoppiness. Somewhat creamy and dank, a little heavy with 9% and feeling like 12. Had it last night and was my night cap. Very delicious.

 

2010 Dominion Millenium Ale
Bottled on 020210 on label. Will miss this guy when it is all gone.
A: Chestnut brown with short-lived off—white head and no lacing.
S: Slightly fudgy with some prune and date dark fruit with light berry alcohol aroma. Huge maple and brown sugar on retronasal.
T: Maltiness abounds but a little bracing on initial taste with some minerally character which fades to maple, brown sugar, date, and a little bit of bittersweet chocolate and light roast note. Medium bitterness. Yeast esters are fruity and floral.
M: Very velvety and smooth with low carbonation and full body.
O: A joy to drink, smooth and malty through and through.

 

I feel the same about Frootwood. The extra year really helped blend/integrate the flavors. Glad i held onto one, and wish i had held on to the rest of the pack as well. 2 years would be interesting but probably pushing it

 

I'll let you know...