LONG term cellaring

Maybe this would be the best time to ask: I have a bottle of Mikkeller's Betelgeuze (dry-hopped with 12 different hops) and I am really torn on if it would age well, like a typical gueuze, or if the hops are just too much and will cause the flavor to decrease. Any recommendations?

 

This is my guess as well. I had plans to cellar 120 minute and World Wide Stout for the milestones in my daughter's life, but I'm second guessing now. Anyone ever pushed World Wide to 15-20 years?

In the meantime, I'm putting away some Hannsen's Gueuze.

 

120 will hold up fine. I know someone with bottles of 120 from 2004 or 2005 that are still drinking well.

 

Outside of lambic/gueuze, it might also be worth considering some Hair of the Dog. The oldest I've had was a 2002 Doggie Claws last year (fantastic), but I've heard reports of 20 year old Adam being phenomenal.

 

I've been doing this for my son who is 3. Albeit a bit differently. Don't really care about a vertical. Just going to give him a beer that is 20 years old, 19 years old, etc... Each one will have a little story behind it and it should be a cool bonding experience.

So far: first year - Bruery Fruet, second year Hoppin Frog Boris Van Wink, third year - Jackie O's Barrel Aged Black Maple.

The way I look at it is you are absolutely going to have some duds, BUT you'll most likely have a few gems in there as well. And when it comes down to what's really important, it is not so much the beer and whether or not it all stood the test of time or not, it's being able to have truly a one of a kind beer experience and to explore a (hopefully) shared passion with someone who is very special to you. Best of luck!

 

I'm doing a similar thing myself, only I'm not doing verticals. I have 2 kids, with a 3rd on the way; I'm creating a mixed four pack for each, 2011, 2013, and 2015. My plan (most bottles acquired, if anyone has any I'm ISO, please BM me) is:

Cantillon Classic Gueuze 2011, 2013, 2015
Westvleteren XII 2011, 2013, 2015
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot 2011, 2013, 2015
Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout 2011, 2013, 2015

Anyone have feedback on my choices? I want to make sure each child has the same four bottles as the others, so if I'm going to go in a different direction than those above it needs to be something that's been in production in all three of the relevant years.

 

WWS was first brewed I think in 1999, and I know some people are still holding the original batch, though I can't speak to how it's holding up.