Infected Nightstalker

how much of this is what people are eating/have eaten before drinking?

is it common for beers from a single batch to have so many different flavors? doesn't seem likely but what the hell do i know?

 

I believe the bottles says enjoy before 180 days of bottling

 

Just checked the Goose Island website and it does say to enjoy within 180 days.

 

I had one from the same batch last night and it gave me a boner.

 

I just did a side by side from a 2/10/11 and an 11/19/12 and if it is in fact the same beer (almost completely different tasting), then it ages wonderfully. Having said that, it reminds me a lot of expedition stout. Very abrasive, hoppy, and strong alcohol presence initially...but after at least a year of aging, it comes out wonderful

 

Also had one from the 11/19 batch two nights ago... It was a religious experience.

 

Myself and two other guys had a '12 version two weekends ago and all three of us thought there was something quite wrong with the beer but couldn't place it. None of us thought that what we were smelling and tasting could at all be what they were going for. Glad to know we weren't the only ones who thought something was way off.

 

Sounds like I can skip this one then. Thanks for the heads up all!

 

I heard from Goose people that they used a different hop but I had it tonight and it tasted like burnt plastic! I had 11 Stalker last week and it was great!

 

I just finished one and I have to concur: I do not believe that it is spoiled, and I do not like it. It's very herbal and medicinal, anise-y maybe. I also can't quite imagine that this is what they were going for. I had high hopes for this. My Coffee bottle had better deliver...

 

Put my vote in the "highly doubt the beer is infected" column but also include me in the "REALLY don't care for this beer" category.

 

The beer is heavily dry hopped and should be consumed very fresh. If you age it the hop profile will fade away. This is the intended flavor profile from the brewers.

 

Am drinking a bottle right now and I definitely get the acetone smell/taste. I'm curious as to what hops they used, because it is extremely hoppy, but more in a pine-sol kinda way than a pine resin one. I sincerely hope that my 2nd bottle becomes drinkable in a few months.

 

After my first sip I almost couldn't continue drinking it. After a few sips, it got better, but I'm not paying to drink this beer ever again.

 

I've never had this one fresh, just with between a year and a half and two years of age on it, but I really, really, really liked the few bottles I've had. Maybe the aging is why I liked them..

 

I had a similar bad experience with my bottle dated 11/19. Weird sweet taste, acetone like smell. Never tasted anything like this. Purchased in nj.

 

I never drink it fresh. Had a fresh one in early 2011, didn't like it, let it sit for 9 months, then it was great. Doing the same with my 12s. Won't even go near them until next football season.

 

I'm reviving this topic. I finally got a chance to open my bottle of Nightstalker last night. This beer was "not right". I've had dry hopped stouts before, but this beer was off. It was so bitter I could't take it. I did pick up on the nail polish thought from the OP. This beer was totally undrinkable. I would rank this as one of the worst beers I have had.

 

There is a four page thread on this topic already...

 

Sorry. Didn't know that existed.