Funky Buddha, others

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Dharmelink, Jul 14, 2017.

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  1. Dharmelink

    Dharmelink Pundit (934) Feb 28, 2017 Wisconsin
    Trader

    With trading, I've only recently come across "Drink/consume fresh" on bottles that are 8+ % ABV - Funky Buddha comes to mind, as well as Mexican Cake, Sump and others.

    I'm guessing with some that have multiple added flavors (coffee, vanilla, Bourbon, chilis, etc) they taste the most balanced fresh and the brewers want to make sure the beer is enjoyed as intended.

    What are some of your experiences with these beers with some age? Also, with most of these, I have only one bottle, so comparing fresh to cellared isn't a option - unless I get more :slight_smile:

    Thanks!
     
  2. kylenabilcy

    kylenabilcy Crusader (411) Aug 10, 2010 Wisconsin

    You will definitely lose adjuncts over time. Coffee goes fast, vanilla can vary depending on how much was used, bourbon barrel tends to stick around a little longer. Beers that are well-made on their own -- where the adjuncts actually complement quality base beers rather than cover up flabby ones -- will still be worth drinking even after those adjuncts have faded. I just had a not-even-that-old Ibex Cellar Coffee Stout from Schlafly with minimal coffee hanging around, but the base beer was still excellent and the drinking experience was still very pleasant as a result. Same with Sump.

    But if the adjuncts are the draw, even when laid over a quality base beer, you're still best served by drinking it ASAP.
     
  3. MichaelHatter

    MichaelHatter Initiate (0) Jun 29, 2015 Virginia

    I've had Last Snow super fresh to a year old many times. Definitely drink it fresh. All the coffee falls out and loses what little balance it had with the coconut.
     
  4. not2quick

    not2quick Grand Pooh-Bah (3,600) Dec 1, 2015 Missouri
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I tend to do what the lable tells me to do....unless I'm drinking a DFH olde school barleywine. Not burying my beer, lol.
     
  5. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I find flavor additions fall off in all cases. Chilis fade fast, so does vanilla it seems. Coffee turns to green pepper flavors. Cinnamon lasts longer from what I've seen.
    To be clear, these flavors are not adjuncts. An adjunct is a fermentable that is not barley. Wheat and oats are adjuncts, coffee and cinnamon are not.
     
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