July 2014 Cellar Thread

2008 Thomas Hardy's Ale. poured into snifter glass at cellar temperature. poured slow to avoid the thick layer of sediment.

into the glass a clear dark copper color, with bright ruby highlights. but really no head whatsoever. just tiny bubbles stream to the surface. nice malty aroma, very much like raisins, figs, toffee, a bit sweet. taste is actually not not that sweet - starts with those same malty flavors, then finishes a bit earthy. mild carbonation, thicker sticky body. appropriate for the style.

overall - very glad I got to try this legendary beer, even if it wasn't the original edition. but I like the aged JW Lees better in terms of the big name English barleywine/old ales.

score 3.5/4.5/4.25/4/4

 

Had this 07 BCBS at a recent bottle share so I was a bit palate fatigued, it was just a few ounce pour and been a long time since I've had it fresh. But I couldn't believe how well it had held up. Nice amount of oxidation. Still had a subtle carb, virtually no alcohol presence. Great beer as everyone else agreed. I'd like to see it go even longer

 

Opened a XXIV yesterday, had been at cellar temp since purchase. Didnt get a ton of bourbon, but lots of dark roasted malt. The fig/date character didnt come out until it had warmed significantly, not nearly as much as it had been when fresh. Tasted nice overall, but seemed a bit one dimensional, not as complex as it was fresh. Still have a few more bottles so hopefully it will turn a corner, but right now its good, but not amazing.

 

It's July!

*runs around screaming, waving arms*

 

I am deeply sorry for any offense I may have caused. Please go along your business (but definitely not in this thread).

 

The offense is too grave. A post in a thread with arbitrary end limits outside those limits? This isn't 'nam, Andrew, there are rules.

 

HF BG&E. Almost six months on this beer. If I remember right, it was bottled at the end of January.

A: Still looks the same as fresh BG&E.

S: Still lots of maple and bourbon with a hint of schocolately stout goodnezzz.

T: Unfortunately lost most of the maple flavor. Instead we have a bourbon monster that is also really chocolatey. Still really great, but i love that maple flavor.

M: It got a little thinner too; not boozey though.

O: I think that this will get even more bourbony as it ages. The maple has been lost because of the huge bourbon flavor it has taken on now.

 

Drinking a bunch from the cellar this last week or so, and for a change, even reviewing some.

Definitely the highlight was Oude Lambiek de Cam, a bottle the wife gave me on our first anniversary consumed a few months after our fifth that was stunning. Have one more, and not sure I'll let it linger 'til the 10th anniversary (as was the original plan), but maybe another couple.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2170/8961/?ba=errantnight

The lowlight was a Bourbon Barrel Aged 5 Golden Rings which was essentially sweet, bourbon garbage juice. My rating might be generous.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16866/107733/?ba=errantnight

Wineification was at least as good as I'd hoped it'd be, and really the only question is will this beer age gracefully into something even more spectacular and complex, or will it just fade? And with only one more bottle, is it worth the chance?

Mocha Wednesday was overly sweet and the coffee flavor, while pleasant, has fallen off already (or maybe it's just I French press too much Black Tuesday with better results).

2008 Lou Pepe Framboise tastes like it really does need some age to it (and this tasting has caused me to reverse my previously somewhat strenuously held belief that fruit lambics are better young, despite the high acidity)
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/388/13825/?ba=errantnight

Strawberry Rhubarb has held up, at least in a fridge, exceptionally. This and a Belgian Red were consumed and the consensus the Strawberry Rhubarb was superior. Sweet, but slightly better balanced with some tartness (presumably from the fruits used) and carrying a similar, unctuous fruitiness. Just great.

 

Saving one of these for Christmas!

 

You'll enjoy it man. And report back on what ya think.
I was also suprised it still had a subtle carb being a twist off.

 

Most def. Saving that and a King Henry. Should be a good time!

 

Almanac Farmers Reserve #3



Poured into a Cabernet wine glass from a bottle dated Summer 2013 (Batch FR3 05/15/13)

A - Hazy, golden orange in color with a good amount of carbonation present. A white lacing that sticks to the area in which you tilt the glass. *Edit - Be careful pouring the second half of the bottle. There is a lot of yeast in the bottom.*

S - The first aroma that I get is vinegar. It seems kind of reserved after being in the bottle for a year. Let's swirl this thing and get it to open up. There we go! This is going to be tart! You can smell the sourness. There are nectarines, cantaloupe, a hint of banana peel, and star fruit. You can also get the strawberries used and a touch of raspberries and cranberries. I can't wait to taste it as it has my mouth watering!

T - This more reserved that I thought it would be. Wait...there it goes! After about 3-4 secs the flavor explodes across the palate. Flavors of sour apples and cranberries hit first followed by the tartness of the citrus from the nectarines and strawberries. This is insane! I'm sure there are more flavors that will present themselves once it warms.

M - Medium bodied, tart and very acidic. Crisp and refreshing that is mouth-coating with a long finish.

O - This is probably one of the best sours I've ever had. Of course I haven't had a lot of the "whalez" out there, so there are only so many I can compare to. This beer is ver well balanced and contains the "perfect" amount of sweetness and tartness to enjoy without being overdone by either. I am glad that I have one more bottle.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24940/94425/?ba=Cubatobaco

 

Opened a 2012 Dissident last night. Decent sour cherry and red wine in the nose with a bit of booziness. Flavor had lots of malt sweetness up front that I wasnt expecting and didnt remember from the previous bottles I had opened of this vintage. Didnt get a lot of cherry in the taste, but finished with restrainted tartness and a moderate amount of tannin, with some heat lingering. Overall, good but not as good as six months ago (when it was one year old and had just hit the "best after" date) but I still have a few bottles left and hope it come around.

 

So I just scored a Brux turding it up at a local shop. Anybody had one lately and if so how's it coming along? Thanks