May 2012 Cellar reviews

2009 Bruery Saison Rue

First of all, like just about every Bruery beer from 09, this one gushed on me. The brett is kicking in well, but overall this hasn't improved. I enjoyed it quite a bit fresh, but now it tastes somewhat "stale." It's like a very poor man's Orval.

 

2009 Stone IRS. Gorgeous beer that fills just about every inch of my oversized snifter with lacing. Tastes pretty damned great, too. Obviously the hops are long gone at this point, but it's matured into something along the lines of a tangy dark chocolate cake batter with a satisfying roasty finish. I wouldn't say it's "improved" necessarily, as I love the hoppy blast of fresh IRS, but it's a very successful cellaring IMO. Very much a different beer now vs fresh, and very much an enjoyable one. IRS is one of those beers I take for granted and never buy enough of to cellar, but it's moments like this that make me want to stock up on some more of the current batch.

 

I drank a year and a half old 2010 Saison Rue recently and it was quite enjoyable. The brett began to assert itself and was wonderfully rustic and earthy with some slight funkiness. It was very nice and made me want to pick up a couple to stash away for a year or so. I enjoyed it fresh as well but I am starting to think between 1-2 years is the sweet spot for this one.

I also experienced some gushing when opening the bottle but it was fairly mild.

 

Nice Thread, first time seeing this. I'm a big fan of Bell's 2007 Expedition Stout. It's drinking great right now. Anyone drank anything older or from 08 lately? How was it?

 

Trader Joes 2009 Vintage ale brewed by Unibroue

Whoa, what happened here. I opened the bottle and got an instant not of sour cherry, and a slight lactic kick. Very weird for this beer as no signs of infection were noted on any of the other bottles I have opened, 2-3 since the release. Very weird since this is a young infection, not overly tart or even dominat, but this is not the same bsda that it started out with. Small note of the bsda are still present but, I feel and think this beer is about to be taken over by the infection if and only if this isn't a single infected bottle. I still have 2 left so maybe I will be checking them out to see what happens.

I really enjoy this beer, with or without infection.

 

interesting....i have a 2009 as well, makes me curious to open it and see what's going on....

 

My guess is an isolated bottle or my tongue and nasal passage has gone array. I would be interested in hearing any results. Regardless, the beer is good and the infection is sorta like Abyss '09 but in a much, much, much, better way. Kinda like a Flanders oude Bruin, but with a blend of bsda. I like it. I also suspect that this is a rogue bottle since it took almost 3 years before I or anyone noticed it.

 

Troeg's Scratch #33 - Belgian Style Saison from 2010

Loved this fresh and have loved it every three months of so since then. While it was a cut and ry saison when it was first released, it's developed into more of an abbey single or whatever you want to call it. Much of the herbalness has dissipated, while spiciness from the yeast has grown (especially pepper). I want to do a full review of this, but I have an exam tomorrow, so that's all you get. Drink it if you got it.

 

Drank an 08 and 07 expedition eariler this spring and both vintages impressed me. I truely dislike expedition stout fresh, but with age its really nice beer that holds up carbonation really well and smoothes out the rough edges.

 

Just cracked open a 2010 Bigfoot. Very creamy and tons of caramel and toffee. I'm glad I picked up another 6 pack because this is drinking pretty awesomely right now.

 

This year's batch of Founders' Imperial Stout is peaking right now, IMO. It's in a beautiful state of balance that I think could decline pretty soon.

 

had a really solid cellar lineup yesterday with a few good friends and some wonderful weather out on my buddys newly finished porch
1. 2010 Ommegang Tripel Perfection: in my opinion it really hasnt changed much with time, still drinks nicely but overall nothing much special
2. early 2011 Ithaca Brute: changing nicely thus far, sourness has dropped off just slightly in favor of more white grape juice like notes, still plenty of the champagne like carbonation
3. Early 2011 Sierra Nevada Jack and Kens Black Barleywine: the heat on this one has turned down just slightly, still a bit aggressive but has definitely already begun to mellow out, give it about 5 years and id say itll be prime. some nice chocolate malt notes have begun to rise to the surface
4. 2010 Ommegang Three Philosophers: Really aging phenomenally well, really begun to smooth out which the cherries really rising to the front on both the nose and palate, truly a phenomenal cellar brew
5. 2007 Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence: this was the beer that really began my whole cellaring experience. it was the first bottle i put in and really was the one i was looking forward to the most. this brew has really hit its peak in my opinion, i had some from three years ago in a growler which i really didnt think was nearly as good as the '07. the one i had yesterday has really gained a nice consistency and thickened up nicely, the chocolate has become incredibly smooth and made this into a really incredibly delicious brew, i could not be happier with how this one has turned out, i only wish i had some more of it

 

was going to suggest the same thing (1-2 year sweet spot). i've had nothing but great experiences, but at 1.5~ years, and didn't see any reason to go further.

 

Good to know! My original 2010 4-pack is down to the last one, and I was planning on trying it this summer. Looking forward to it! Will have to cellar more.

 

I recently cracked a Batch 77 Adam, which from what I can tell came out about this time of year in 2010. While I've never had this beer fresh, I can't imagine it could have been much tastier than it was with two years on it. Awesome beer - I just wish I had bought more than the one!

Here's a link to my full review, if you don't mind wading through some close reading of Shakespeare to get there.

Cheers!

 

2006 smutty imp stout was quite delish!

 

Nah, this beer ages with the best of 'em. Just opened a '10 the other week and it was absolutely delicious!

 

2007 Rogue Old Crustacean Barleywine - Sadly, I don't think age helped this beer at all. It was still a hot mess: boozy, bitter, the malts were overpowered. I'd heard at least 5 years is recommended for aging this beer, but it was nowhere near ready to drink...I'd say double that number!

 

2004 Stone IRS - This old bottle was thrown in as an extra for a trade awhile back, and it's the oldest bottle of this beer I've ever had. Hot damn this is tasty. Still good carbonation with a nice head. Aroma had a lot of dark fruit, figs, raisins, some malt and chocolate with just a touch of soy sauce. Velvety smooth without even a hint of alcohol, it has just the right amount of dark fruit to actually make this one of my favorite imperial stout experiences. Too bad the next oldest bottle I have is an 08'.