iso: advice for setting up a stout vertical

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Mangbus, Sep 16, 2014.

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Which stout will most likely be the better for the cellar / vertical ?

Poll closed Sep 26, 2014.

  1. Stone RIS

    10 vote(s)
    38.5%

  2. Founders IS

    3 vote(s)
    11.5%

  3. Founders Breakfast Stout

    1 vote(s)
    3.8%

  4. Bell's Expedition Stout

    12 vote(s)
    46.2%

  5. Other - comment with choice

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
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  1. Mangbus

    Mangbus Initiate (0) Aug 25, 2014 Florida

    Hi BA,

    I'm in the process of setting up a small cellar and am looking for advice on what are some of the more common stouts that would make for a decent vertical in 1-2 years? I would want to use something a bit more common so that getting past year(s) and this year would be easier/cost effective.

    My plan is to target some of the more common stouts (distro in Central FL) that I will have a high chance of acquiring each year. I would want to be able to break out a 3 year vertical each winter. This would also be a great way to show some of my friends what a year or two can do (not a lot of my friends are into craft beer yet.. so this would be a great intro.)

    The main 4 that I am targeting are:
    Stone RIS
    Founders IS
    Founders Breakfast Stout
    Bell's Expedition Stout

    I know that Bourbon County is a solid choice but can be a bit difficult to get past years w/out trading a solid chunk of what I've already acquired. This will be one that I start going after this year and may not look to past years until I get a solid foundation setup.

    I won't be shying away from more elusive stouts but those are harder to plan for.

    Feel free to throw advice my way.
     
    #1 Mangbus, Sep 16, 2014
  2. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    I have only had experience with Stone IRS, but it ages awesomely in my opinion.
     
    #2 UCLABrewN84, Sep 16, 2014
    Mangbus likes this.
  3. grumpy

    grumpy Pundit (920) May 24, 2005 Missouri

    Of your choices, Bell's. With write-in votes for Mephistopholes and DFH WWS.

    But all of those age well.
     
    #3 grumpy, Sep 16, 2014
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  4. TWStandley

    TWStandley Pooh-Bah (2,166) Jan 15, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Founders IS....or if you get Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout it is fantastic to age as well.
     
    #4 TWStandley, Sep 16, 2014
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  5. BalancingBrooms

    BalancingBrooms Pooh-Bah (2,894) Aug 22, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Pretty much all the ones you listed age well. I'd only say FBS may not be the best choice past a year IMO in terms of flavor but to see how things change, definitely.

    NC Old Rasputin is also easy to get and ages with the best
     
    #5 BalancingBrooms, Sep 16, 2014
  6. fredmugs

    fredmugs Initiate (0) Aug 11, 2012 Indiana

    If you can get Zhukov I had a 2012 about 2 months and that was amazing.
     
    #6 fredmugs, Sep 16, 2014
  7. Mangbus

    Mangbus Initiate (0) Aug 25, 2014 Florida

    Awesome to hear. I have a 2013 that I got in a trade (along w/ a '13 Huna.)


    Thanks for the input so far everyone.
     
    #7 Mangbus, Sep 16, 2014
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  8. elektrikjester

    elektrikjester Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2008 Georgia

    In my personal opinion, Expedition. For me, it is the most complex of the RIS's you have listed, and it is well suited for longer term cellaring. A favorite of mine because I get something different out of it every time, yet it is the same beer. Not to mention it has proven track record for cellaring.

    Because of its more aggressive hop profile (to me), Founder's Imperial Stout may show the greatest development over time. Stone is great as is, but I've never taken it past three years. Probably the most quaffable fresh of the RIS's you've listed. The only other consideration is that Stone RIS comes in bombers--great if you're planning for a larger group, but perhaps not ideal if this is just a few people.

    For all its virtues, Founders Breakfast Stout doesn't belong on this list, IMO. It is best consumed fresh if you want to experience the coffee and chocolate notes that made it famous in the first place. I'm not saying it cannot be cellared--it most certainly can. I'm just saying that cellaring doesn't necessarily improve it. Again, IMO. Good luck.
     
    #8 elektrikjester, Sep 17, 2014
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  9. elektrikjester

    elektrikjester Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2008 Georgia

    Others to consider:

    Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout - truly lives up to its name though it contains no contains no chocolate. A model RIS.
    Sierra Nevada Narwhal - dark fruit notes, creaminess over time
    Great Divide Yeti
     
    #9 elektrikjester, Sep 17, 2014
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