Curmudgeon definitely is. Had it with a year on it and it was great. I've never had it fresh, so I can't compare, but it's a relatively high ABV beer, so you should be fine with that. Frangelic I did not have the pleasure (or pain, depending on who you ask) of, so I can't speak to it's aging capabilities, but at 9% you should be okay for a while, just expect the hops and coffee to fade relatively quicklly.
The Founders rep in the Detroit area said both should be good. He felt Frangelic could stand to be toned down. If I remember correctly, he suggested the only Founders beers to age would be these FMB, KBS, and other was either Curmudgeon or Better Half. But I think the maple would fade in Better Half.
Curmudgeon is a fine brew with some age on it. I actually prefer it having spent some time in the cellar. I wouldn't hold on to an FMB for too long.
Had it in bottle thanksgiving day and on draft last week and the bottle held the coffee flavor much more so than the draft. The draft is still great just not as in your face.
I completely disagree. I love hazelnut, but thought Frangelic was WAY too over the top with it fresh out of the bottle. I think it will only get better in the next 12 - 18 months.
The Founder's rep must not do much cellering of beers. All the ones he mentioned would stand up to time, however, beers such as FIS, FBS, Blushing Monk, Bolt Cutter and a few other Backstage brews are expected to be aged and be better in time. If this is any comfort, I have found that some reps have no idea what they are talking about regarding anything outside their product (ie aging of beers, knowledge of other beers, etc). I have found a lot of these guys are simply reps for their company but are not big into beer, and it's just a job. I always assumed that if you worked in the craft beer industry that you would have a passion for great beers. However, this is not the case. During Cleveland Beer Week this year, I met the regional rep for Finch, a brewery that is new to our market and one that has stiff competition out of Chicagoland. We shot the proverbial sh!t as i tried all of "his" brewery's beer (none of which i really cared for). Since it was Beer Week, I expected this guy to be a big beer nut like me and discuss not only Finch's beers but other's as well. As the conversation went on, I realized that this dude didn't much care for craft beers and only had negative shit to say when I tried to talk about beers out of Chicagoland (ie FFF, GI, Half Acre, etc). On another occasion, I spoke to a rep for Sixpoint and it was the same kind of conversation.... Moral of the story: You can't alway rely on brewery representatives for information beyond the basics of their product line.
I've aged Curmudgeon several times at 1-2 years & it's been great each time. don't enjoy it quite as much fresh.
FMB is probably better fresh. It would be better if the hazel weren't so pronounced but the timing would be tricky. Maybe age it for 1-2 months so it doesn't drop way off. Curmudgeon, in theory, can be aged as it is an old ale but I prefer it fresh. No one has your taste buds though so your guess is as good as anyone's.
Absolutely not, send them to me and I'll make sure that they're disposed off in an appropriate manner.
Sorry, I was generalizing. I prefer ALL my beer fresh. Some over the top, some boozy, some both. I only cellar for shorter periods and because I've bought more than I can possibly drink lately.
Frangelic was watery to me, not very carbonated. I'd want it fresh. Curmudgeon, any time on it is delicious. IMO anyway.
