May 2014 Cellar Reviews

Opened up a 2012 bottle of Aventinus Eisbock tonight. I expected a malty, sweet, and boozy ale and that's basically what I got. Closest thing I could think of is a port wine or an aged Barleywine with no hops left. Nice amount of carbonation with a great mouthfeel. A little too cloying and hot for my taste though.
Edit: The aging appeal is obvious, and I'm curious as to what would happen in a few years.

 

2010 Kate The Great.
Aroma was nice. No head when poured into snifter. No booze evident. Tasted oxidized. Drank it anyway but I was disappointed to say the least. Shouldn't have cellared it so long. The unfortunate thing is I have another one.

 

I'll take that off your hands!

 

2010 Abyss. I have to say this was a bottle from the very first trade I did, and I had not tried it prior to popping this bottle. Age did this wonders if you are looking for a smooth milkshake like stout with still bold flavors, but with the edges cut off. It was indeed fantastic with no negative signs of aging. Just lovely.

 

2010 Goose Island Night Stalker. Bottled March 6th.

Heading towards UK Barleywine territory. Big caramel malt, pleasant oxidation that brings some toffee, much chocolate. Picture perfect in the glass..lots of tan foam. Silky smooth with the right amount of co2; one of my picks for amazing cellaring/aging abilities! I'd rate it aboot a 4.5.

 

2012 New Glarus Thumprint Enigma.

Lost a lot of the fruit character but still has the great barrel character with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. Beer has gotten much more tart that the last time I had one which was about 6 months ago. Still drinking very well albeit not quite as good as fresh considering it was absolutely stellar fresh. I have four more bottles that'll get spread out over the next year or so. Really pleased with this beer with almost 2 years on it.

 

Good stuff. I think you persuaded me to sit on my '14 for a long time.

 

Did the weizen flavors pretty much completely disappear?

 

Almost, it just tasted like an aged weizenbock. There was some clovey phenols and banana esters hanging around but it was mostly a super sweet, malty ale. The spicy phenols and esters you would expect were just barely there.

 

Had one a week ago and agree that while good, it didn't pop as much as when fresh. Fruit flavors died down and the wood was more evident. I also don't think the tartness changed much. Pretty sure that is one of several "sour" beers New Glarus pasteurizes.

 

Had a 2011 MBC Mean Old Tom. Aged as an experiment and not surprised to see that it was a good year past it's time. Very thin, with many of the flavors heavily subdued. Interesting the vanilla that was there, was more pronounced.

 

I haven't had one for a few months, but St. Arnold Divine Reserve 12 and 13 were drinking very well as of a couple months ago.

 

Mirror Mirror 2009.

Not only has held up fine, I think I liked it better than when it was fresh. Hardly, if any, oxidative notes. Developed some needed complexity, touches of umami and salt, bubblegum and toffee. Really nice, and a hugely pleasant surprise given the prevailing winds on this had it as well-past prime.

 

Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
"Canned with care 12-10-09", cracked on 06-06-14 (4.5 years!)

Still pours like motor oil. Dark brown head is small and fades quickly. Dense chocolate syrup smell and distinct oxidation. Taste is dark chocolate fudge, smooth roastiness, caramel sweetness, and long, lingering alcohol warmth. Marshmallows, bitter figs, and beginnings of soy on the finish. Maybe some charcoal. Thick, velvety, sticky mouthfeel with just enough carbonation.

Overall it's got that smoothness you expect from an old imperial stout, where the flavors are much more subdued and blended - as opposed to the bold and sharp flavors of a fresh can. Very tasty! Interested to see how the other two cans continue to develop...I'll report back in the next few years.