March Cellar Reviews

2009 Shipyard Barleywine

I've had a few of these in the cellar and recently tasted one from 2008, which had fallen off quite a bit. This one is a year younger but still exhibiting some of the traits of the 2008. Poured a dark murky brown with about 1 1/2 finger of khaki head. The aroma - brown sugar, caramel/toffee, fruity esters, cocoa, nutty. Taste - nowhere near the aroma, lots of oxidation, caramel malt, slight dark fruit taste, alcohol. Mouthfeel is thin, but still carbonated. Overall this beer has fallen off big and I'm dreading the last bottles of the 09 and 08 that I have... but maybe shipyard should know better than to use twist off caps.

 

Heard from a friend that a random c-store near my house still had Cerise. I was very suprised because it comes out in the summer. May have to just pick it up now and see how it is.

 

My wife just opened up a 2010 yesterday-- very tart with tons of cherry flavor still.
I have a 2011 on deck for some night this week... Will update.

 

I opened a Cuvee de Tomme I've been sitting on since I traded for it about a year ago (I'm assuming it was from the most recent batch at that time). It was one of those ever so charming flat bottles from Lost Abbey, and a total drainpour. Some soy sauce and a surprising amount of oxidation formed a potently bad back end of the flavor profile, and without any carbonation it just lingered on my palate.

Slightly more in depth musings on it in my blog post this week http://bit.ly/He2Czl

 

2010 KBS

Sadly didn't get my hands on any this year, wanted to have this side-by-side with a fresh bottle. The alcohol heat is toned down quite a bit from fresh and 1-year old, drinks like a chocolate/coffee shake. Bourbon, oak and roasted malt there but faded. Mouthfeel feels a bit thinner. Good but I think 1-year old is maybe the best time to have this beer - less heat then when fresh but a better balance of flavors.

2010 Old Rasputin (bottle purchased in March 2010...2-2.5 years old)

Still well-carbonated, great appearance. The scent has that olive vibe that aged stouts sometimes acquire, but the taste is fine. Still that big dark chocolate/roasted malt dominating with a surprising amount of hoppiness. Great mouthfeel still. A little less abrasive than when fresh, other than that and the olive-y nose, pretty similar to a fresh bottle in my opinion.

 

I had just about exactly the same experience not long ago, huge disappointment. Reminded me why I don't both with The Lost Abbey much anymore...although I did manage to get the bottle down, was really wishing my wife had been home to split it with.

 

Just what I needed to know. I have an 08 Yeti in the cellar that I might get around to next time I head home.

 

East End Toaster - Had this at the recent JO's release courtesy of myself. It's mellowed out a lot and has sort of lost what I loved about it to begin with (the massive toastiness). Still, drinking good, but I won't try to buy any at the Gratitude release if Scott does his absurd price hikes.

Late '09 and Early '10 Buried Hatchet Stout - This has aged phenomenally. It's still dry and toasty, but has a hugely amplified cocoa powder thing going on now. Both are about the same, but the '09 tastes a bit better.

 

Tried a Mikkeller Big Worse tonight, between 2.5 and 3 years old. It was somewhat oxidized, but mostly had notes of sherry. It seemed like it was just about to head really downhill. There were a few nice tastes of chocolates and malts, but it was definitely past its prime.

 

I'm glad I read your post, I really like Big Worse and was considering putting a bottle or two away. I like it so much fresh that I seem to have trouble cellaring this one. Maybe I'll try one for a year tops, but I also can't seem to find a date on the bottle, so I won't know the real age. Also, the green bottle worries me a bit with it sitting on the store shelf for a while.

 

Drinking a 2009 Older Viscosity, thanks goes to my brother-in-law for cracking this open.

There is no carbonation at all, though it is missed it is not necessarily needed.

The nose is of bourbon and chocolate with a little bit of vanilla.

This beer has really smoothed out and is very thick. The bourbon does not dominate but compliments. Chocolate is the dominating flavor followed by vanilla and a little bit of coconut and very slight roast.

Overall this beer is great, I just wish it had a little bit of carbonation. I think the carbonation would give the beer a little more life.

 

2010 Arctic Devil Barleywine-

Pours bright copper with light off-white head, smell is huge gala apple and pear, floral rose and tulip, very aromatic brew. Mouthfeel is thick and carries the flavors perfectly. Huge caramel apple, butter toffee, slight chocolate, brandy, juicy peaches. Very nice, slight alcohol nip keeps the heat on, you really feel this one once the second half of the bottle is poured. Held up well for the first year, I can see this one going the distance easily.

 

Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere

Just cracked an 07 and a 10 side by side...
The 07 was very dry and funky with a big oak note.
The fresher bottle was slightly sweeter and a little tartness that has faded out in the older one.

Both were delicious--- overall, I'd say this is a fun one to age and experiment with.

 

Jolly Pumpkin Bambic

Blend 1, 2 and 4 all tried side by side.
Blend 4 is technically blend 3, but was mislabeled.

Blend 1 is my top pick-- notes of white wine vinegar have arisen and really compliment the overall profile. dry, sour, and delicious.
Blend 2 is the least best of the bunch-- some medicinal (read: band-aid) notes come through on the nose moreso than the flavor, but it is quite distracting.
Blend 3 is the oakiest with a great dry tartness to it.

I think blend 3 might be too dry to really improve much with age, though I'll certainly be aging some to experiment.

My remaining batch 2 shall be cellared at least another 2 years before I check back.
Blend 1 is killing it right now-- if you have a few left, give one a shot soon!

 

Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca
2005, 2006, and 2011 side by side.

2005 is very much darker than the other two batches... We all also get some honey notes that aren't present in the others. Also some white pepper notes sneak into the spice bills as the the orange peel and coriander became more muted.
We are wondering if the beer saw a slight recipe change...

The 06 is my favorite-- the spices aren't overpowering, but a light crisp refreshing tartness has crept in.

The fresh bottle is actually kinda musty in terms of the funkiness... Lots of spices-- the orange peel an coriander coming through loud and clear. Much sweeter than the other 2 bottles.

So... Overall--
I prefer this with some age. It dries out a bit and the spices fade, enabling some tart funk to shine. We are thinking the 05 was a bad bottle (or a different recipe), but the consensus is that the fresh beer will age nicely. I estimate the peak being between 2.5 and 4 years.

 

Jolly Pumpkin Oro De Calabaza

Side by side with a 2005 or 2006 with a bottle from Nov 2011.

The fresh one is better in my opinion... It is more tart and more sour, and even funkier than the aged bottle.
The aged one seems muted and the fact that the funkiness decreased is a disappointment.

Overall-- I'd say the age bottle was past its peak. I'll be aging a few fresh ones and trying them from time to time... I think this could easily go 3-4 years and still be good...

 

Jolly Pumpkin Biere De Mars

2008, 2009, 2010, and 2 blends of 2011 side by side.

The 08 and 09 are a bit muted and malty, almost chalky. There's a little root beer candy note that is a little strange. And perhaps the first stages of oxidation?

The two blends from 2011 are pretty much identical, but the Mar 01 batch is better. The Mar 08 isnt quite as tart.
The spiciness are well-integrated, but poignant.

The 2010 is fucking killing it. The spices are fading out but still present. The apple cider vinegar notes have really taken over and leading the charge with a burst of sour deliciousness.

I honestly love the 2010... I've loved it ever since it was fresh, and now after 2 years I feel it has only gotten better.
After about 3 years I'll start getting worried and check on this one, but I'll certainly let my 2011's go for at least another year.

 

Jolly Pumpkin Biere De Mars Grand Reserve

We are trying the 2008? (aged 27 months- batch 65), 02.19.10, and 03.22.11 side by side.

I've had all of these before, and I loved them all-- the 27 month batch is the one I've reviewed and gave a 4.97...
The 27 month is the most sour and had developed a nice sour cherry note on top of the apple cider vinegar that we are prepared for. Still drinkin amazingly.

The fresh one is the thickest, but has a bit of an alcohol bite on the finish.

The 2010 is great-- but all pale in comparison to the 27 month!

These are all drinking well... Could all age a while longer for sure. There's no signs of oxidation or falling off.