Great Divide Hibernation Ale Question...

1) depends... i would be, but i really love the beer.

2) never had it aged (can't keep from drinking it fresh._.)

3) yes, IMO.

 

Never had it aged but have only heard great things. Great beer fresh as well.

 

I love this fresh, and it is sublime with age. Make sure to wait till you can get a fresh bottle though, it will be worth it.

 

You should be excited. I've done an '06-'11 vertical. I preferred the '06 and '08 in that order, but the '07 was no slouch.

 

1. Hell yeah!
2. Incredible!
3. Yes!

Got mine as an extra and just had it a couple weeks ago, surprisingly more chocolaty and rich than when fresh, but I was so pleasantly surprised!

 

Open it next to a fresh bottle. Personally I think this beer peaks after two or three years. Also seems like they changed the recipe a couple years back.

 

It is an early winter seasonal. There is a chance it might be in stores still, but no guarantee

 

i had a draft of 2010 tonight that was amazing, but I havent had it fresh.

 

Easy. It's a shelf beer around Winter time.

 

I cracked a 2 year old bottle tonight. Admittedly, i dont temp control my cellar and it stays a little warmer than it should, avg temp 60 year round. But, i usually dont have problems with beers oxidizing too quickly.

Anyway, when i poured out the bottle it fizzed up in the glass with a huge head, obviously uncharacteristic for this beer. The aroma and taste arent all that bad, but the flavors have fallen off and there is detectable oxidation. Has anyone had this same experience with this beer? I thought beers only fizzed up like this if they are infected, obviously not the case with this beer. But i just never experienced this with a beer ive aged.

 

Depending on where in Michigan you are, I would drive down to Toledo and pick some up fresh. The gas could be about the same as shipping a trade, and Joesph's or The Andersons is always a fun run.

 

I have been cellaring this since 2012, about to crack the 5 year vertical this year

 

I love this beer, let us know how it holds up. I buy quite a bit of this, but I've only had it at a year old.

 

I would agree with ArrogantB. The first time i tried this was with a two year old bottle and I was hooked. Over the last 3 years or so i typically will have 5 years worth in the fridge but It turns into a chocolate bomb in year 4 as all hop flavor is long gone.

 

2012 has a nice sherry character to it now, oxidation is definitely there as expected with 4 years on it, but it's sweet caramel and toffee flavors and little to no heat like it sometimes has fresh. Hops have subsided but I think it helps mellow the beer out.

 

Sounds like I need to keep a few back for a while. Thanks

 

Agreed. @moshea is right, make the trip to Joseph's Beverage, you can also find Jackie O's, Fat Head's, White Rajah (and other Brew Kettle beers), Hoppin Frog, and probably some other stuff that Shelton Brothers now bring to MI but may have a few years of age on it down there. Or I could look for you next time I'm down there for work...I haven't been to Joseph's in a while.

 

Wow I had this for the first time this Winter, not sure how I missed it for so long...its so good. If I was going to cellar this for a year or two etc. and I could buy cans or bottles, is either better for aging? I assume cans have less o2 exposure but over time there's the possibility of the can liner affecting flavor? or no?
thanks!