Imperial IPA Shelf Life?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by IPA040877, Nov 2, 2013.

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  1. IPA040877

    IPA040877 Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2013 Illinois

    I just bought a 4 pack of Arcadia Hop Rocket and when I got home looked at the bottled date and saw it was bottled over a year ago. Usually I like my IPAs fresh (within 3-4 months of bottling) but in doing research have seen that Imperial IPAs with over 8% ABV can actually get better after a year, is that true? Just wanted to get some insight before I start drinking. I will be pissed if I wasted $16 on this beer!!!
     
    #1 IPA040877, Nov 2, 2013
  2. Hoptimus-Prime

    Hoptimus-Prime Pundit (946) Dec 7, 2012 North Carolina
    Trader

    Personal preference on the aging...some prefer big IPAs with some age, but the vast majority including myself prefer them as fresh as possible. I personally would leave an IPA/DIPA over 1.5-2 months old sitting where it is.
     
    #2 Hoptimus-Prime, Nov 2, 2013
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  3. StLeasy

    StLeasy Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2013 Illinois

    I'm with Hoptimus. The flavor change is pretty drastic compared to stouts. By my palate, IIPAs turn into resin-y barleywines.
    Only one way to find out :wink:
     
    #3 StLeasy, Nov 2, 2013
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  4. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    An aged IIPA is a barley wine. :slight_smile: Drink them fresh. All of them.
     
    #4 inchrisin, Nov 2, 2013
  5. StLeasy

    StLeasy Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2013 Illinois

    But don't forget to try an American barleywine fresh, too :grinning:
    Looking at you, (Sierra Nevada's) Bigfoot
     
    #5 StLeasy, Nov 2, 2013
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  6. dasenebler

    dasenebler Initiate (0) Jan 26, 2008 Maine

    It depends on how much you like oxidation and its resulting flavors, which can be pretty damn offensive with highly hopped beers. Lower-hopped barleywines and other Imperial-x styles can be good, but as far as IPAs go, if you want that bright hop flavor, then you better get it well within a couple months of packaging.
     
    #6 dasenebler, Nov 2, 2013
  7. MooseBoose

    MooseBoose Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2007 Wisconsin

    Timely topic. I found 2 New Glarus IIPA's in my basement a few months back. They were not refridgerated, but relatively cool and out of the light. Date was early February. I refridgerated them and drank the 1st of the pair in August at about 6 months old. It still was pretty darn good. Opened the last one tonight, at about 9 months of age. This beer was not good. It had been in the fridge since the one was drank in August. Somewhere in the last three months the taste of that brew went bad.
     
    #7 MooseBoose, Nov 2, 2013
  8. TequilaSauer

    TequilaSauer Initiate (0) Dec 31, 2006 Florida

    Honestly, I think a DIPA is more time sensitive than a single.
     
    #8 TequilaSauer, Nov 2, 2013
  9. IPA040877

    IPA040877 Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2013 Illinois

    That's what I thought...thanks for all your help! It sucks...I liked this Liquor Store, it has a good Micro Brew selection...but now that I know they sell beer from over a year ago I am thinking I will find a new go to beer spot..
     
    #9 IPA040877, Nov 2, 2013
  10. detrockcitey

    detrockcitey Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2013 Illinois

    You don't have to not go back there, just be a more attentive shopper. We've all done it...
     
    #10 detrockcitey, Nov 2, 2013
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  11. StLeasy

    StLeasy Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2013 Illinois

    Yup. As long as there isn't a "enjoy by:" date, the store isn't the one who made a mistake :wink:
     
    #11 StLeasy, Nov 2, 2013
    IPA040877 likes this.
  12. IPA040877

    IPA040877 Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2013 Illinois

    True true....I am more pissed at myself for not checking...I guess I now have learned to make sure to look for the "bottled" date before I make the purchase....thanks again for everyone's help!
     
    #12 IPA040877, Nov 2, 2013
  13. basics

    basics Initiate (0) Oct 27, 2011 North Carolina

    yep always check the bottledate.
     
    #13 basics, Nov 2, 2013
  14. TheFlern

    TheFlern Initiate (0) May 9, 2009 Idaho

    I give IPAs/IIPAs a 4 month post bottling life span.


    Nah, seriously though. You gotta drink your beer fresh. It's basically a food. The longer you wait to eat your food or drink your milk the less fresh it's gonna be.
     
    #14 TheFlern, Nov 2, 2013
  15. Givemebeer

    Givemebeer Savant (1,219) Apr 6, 2013 Vermont

    As IPAs age... Hops fade. Therefore, the malts will be brought out more and if you're looking for that hop forward beer, it won't be there
     
    #15 Givemebeer, Nov 2, 2013
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