La Roja 2012

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by deleted_user_719084, Jun 11, 2014.

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  1. deleted_user_719084

    deleted_user_719084 Zealot (664) Feb 18, 2013
    Trader

    I've been eyeing a bottle of Jolly Pumpkin La Roja that is in the cooler in my hometown liquor store but it's from November 2012. Would the fact that it's probably been in the cooler since they received it affect it negatively at all? I know it's a sour so age, under correct conditions, would normally not be an issue but would the fact it's been in the cooler makes me hesitant.
     
  2. BottleCaps80

    BottleCaps80 Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2013 Iowa

    I think aging a sour in a cooler is perfectly fine. I'd prefer that to one that's been sitting on a shelf with possibly fluctuating temperatures. At least you know it's been stored properly (although maybe aged cooler than normal cellar temps), so I'd say buy it and age it more in your own cellar or drink it. It will be great either way.
     
  3. TheBeerBro

    TheBeerBro Initiate (0) Sep 10, 2013 Iowa

    Cooler = good! I think you can safely purchase that La Roja, and enjoy it. I have lots of JP brews in my cellar, they age very well. I would look at your situation as "someone just aged this beer for free for me."

    Now I'm not a scientist and I don't have any factual evidence or lab reports to show or anything fancy, but, in my mind, If a sour is being stored at very cold temps, I would think that the funky bacteria in the beer will not be as active, and not change the flavor of the brew as much as if being stored at "cellar temp."
     
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  4. Brenden

    Brenden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,436) Feb 25, 2008 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I agree. It'll be fine, and you can age it or not if you want to.
     
  5. LambicPentameter

    LambicPentameter Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2012 Nebraska

    Cold temperatures slow down molecular processes. Which means that in beer, both positive (maturation from yeast/bacteria) and negative (degradation over time) change will be slowed down.

    So the only way a beer being stored in a cooler could be construed as a problem is if you are specifically looking for a 2012 beer that has gotten the benefit from two years worth of cellaring/maturing. And even then, you can still age it on your own after you buy it. And as @BottleCaps80 notes, the temperature in a cooler is more consistent than shelf temperature, even if it's too cold to really do much maturing.
     
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  6. SaisonRichBiere

    SaisonRichBiere Pooh-Bah (2,033) Mar 23, 2011 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    I buy an cellar a lot of Jolly Pumpkin stuff. I think they age well, and La Roja is one of the best when it's got a year on it or more.
     
  7. steebo777

    steebo777 Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2009 Michigan

    2 years isn't that much for it so you'll be fine.
     
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