Ideally Aging Beer

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Sanacja2635, Jul 21, 2016.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Sanacja2635

    Sanacja2635 Initiate (0) Feb 7, 2016 Connecticut

    Hey all. I've collected some beers to age but I'm new to the aging process so:

    How long can I age a barrel aged imperial stout?
    and
    How long can I age a non BA imperial stout?

    I've got some doubles so I can taste them fresh and then down the road, but I'd like some ideal, safe-than-sorry recommendations. Thanks!
     
  2. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    Not an expert, but there is a limit. Keep them cool and dark, I'd be leery of letting most slide longer than 4-5 years. I've never purposely let a non BA beer slide so there I have no real clue, but I'd expect they would age the same. My fridge is set to 50 degrees , so my aging beers sit.
     
    Sanacja2635, paulytasker and Wasatch like this.
  3. Wasatch

    Wasatch Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,050) Jun 8, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    A good time for Barrel Aged Impy's 3-5 years, and if you can, try one at each interval.:wink: A good time for Impy's 2-4 years, and again, try one at each interval.:slight_smile:

    Cheers!
     
    Sanacja2635 likes this.
  4. paulys55

    paulys55 Initiate (0) Aug 2, 2010 Pennsylvania

    There isn't a black and white answer for this and there is no right or wrong. Some beers age better than others, even within the same style and even then I hesitate to use the word "better" because it really is up to you. Personal preference plays a big part in it also. Some people think if its a big stout or barleywine that it will automatically turn into gold if they throw it in their cellar for a few years...that's fine if that's what they think but that doesn't mean you will feel the same. I personally think most barrel aged beers should be consumed fresh because to me I like to taste what the barrel did to the base beer and more often than not I find that the barrel character fades out with time. Again, that's just me. As a general rule, most beer is best consumed fresh. But there are many beers that evolve into something amazing with a few (or many) years in the cellar (many gueuzes come to mind). Good luck and enjoy the ride.
     
  5. Wasatch

    Wasatch Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,050) Jun 8, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Very well put, I was thinking all this shit, but I did not want to write it all down. Still not to take away from what I said before, that is what I would do if I wanted to, that is.:slight_smile:

    Cheers!
     
  6. Wasatch

    Wasatch Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,050) Jun 8, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Currently, I have a few brew's put aside, but they have only been their for a few months. I might try keeping some longer, we will see.:wink: Use to keep shit for years, had no problem, having a new brew every so often.:slight_smile::wink:

    Cheers!
     
    VABA and Sanacja2635 like this.
  7. DaverCS

    DaverCS Savant (1,212) Dec 9, 2014 Arizona

    The higher the ABV, the longer theoretically a beer can hold up aging. Taste, however, is totally subjective, and I recommend visiting the cellar/aging forum for a more in-depth discussion.
     
    chrismann65, Sanacja2635 and Wasatch like this.
  8. paulys55

    paulys55 Initiate (0) Aug 2, 2010 Pennsylvania

    A few examples that I have really enjoyed aged:
    2010 Abyss consumed a few months ago
    1993 Courage Imperial Russian Stout consumed in 2010
    Some other less specific examples:
    Orval
    Rochefort 10
    SN Bigfoot
    Bells Expedition Stout
    Drie Fonteinen Oude Geuze
    Thomas Hardy's Ale
    Pannepot
    North Coast Old Stock
    JW Lees Harvest Ale
    Bourbon County

    YMMV
    Cheers
     
    Sanacja2635 and Wasatch like this.
  9. readyski

    readyski Pooh-Bah (1,557) Jun 4, 2005 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Totally agree. It seems 1-2 years is enough to "smooth" most beers but pay heed to the style. :stuck_out_tongue:
     
    Sanacja2635 and Wasatch like this.
  10. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    I agree every beer is different, I like Kbs fresh and hot, it ages well but I like it fresh better. I like Bc Coffee better aged, just depends.
     
    Wasatch likes this.
  11. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    OP, some very good opinions in this thread. I, for one, completely understand why you would ask a beer-related question on a beer-related website, but other's opinions clearly vary. Much like everyone's taste for aged beers.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.