May 2017 Cellar Reviews

2013 North Coast Old Stock Cellar Reserve

I had previously had the 2014 vintage on tap at burger in Santa Cruz and subsequently found this at a local beverage store so I hope this still counts since I didn't cellar it myself; if not a mod can delete it. This had a very rich dark color to it with the small head dissipating over the gradual sipping of this. Lots of bourbon and molasses in the smell. The bourbon complimented the taste and was much more balanced than the 2014. This is an outstanding beer and is very much worth seeking out.

 

I had my first vertical this weekend with the first beer i bought to age. I didnt take any specific tasting notes so sorry it's not as eloquent as some of the other reviews

Jacks Abbey Barrel Aged Framinghammer

2016: half finger of head and really smooth. Definitely lost a lot of barrel and some of the malty flavor, but makes it up is drinkability. It didnt have the harsh barrel or alcohol flavor so i easily downed the 4oz sample pour

2017: No head at all and an intense barrel on the nose. Had a malty bitterness to it but also a lot of barrel and alcohol kick. Definitely sipped at this for a while.

Overall, it's hard to say what was better. I really like the barrel flavors of the 2017 that werent present in the 2016, but the 2016 was so smooth. This was mostly just useful for me to figure out what i want to age in the future. Some of the beers i was saving to age might be better to have now, which would be much easier to determine if i took notes on them fresh in the first place.

 

had a 2015 JW Lees this past weekend and of course it was stellar.
Still a lot of hop presence, but molasses all day.
Love when this beer sits even longer. Definitely holds up for atleast 15 years

 

2010 Deschutes Dissident

Pours bright cherry copper with an unstable head of khaki that gracefully falls to lacing. Smells of sour cherries, brett pineapple, slight phenol, very fruity yet nondescript in that fruitiness- pleasurable nonetheless. Taste is a rich sour, mild sweetness lurks on the sides, pithy tart on the back end; notes of toffee and tea appear, the flavor changes the longer it breathes in the glass. Mouthfeel is medium with medium carbonation, a very nice balance for the dichotomy of flavors and tart/bitter notes that seem to change constantly.

As I take my time with the warming glass, the beer changes it's initial form- tart gives way to bitter sweet, nondescript fruit morphs into cherry, mouthfeel thickens, yet a peculiar dryness keeps it from being cloying. I'm reminded of a homemade high octane maraschino cherry juice, and a lively oude bruin.

Not bad for nearly 7 years. Next time- the 2012

 

2016 FBS

coffee. and silky stout. plus coffee. I really didn't get much chocolate in it even when fresh. no bell pepper. I'm liking it a lot better than I did last Sep, not as 'boozy' and flavors more rounded out, softer. but not something I will be storing away. place i like has a stack of 4 or 5 cases marked down to $5.99 a pack, so will likely snag one every time I swing by

 

I had a 2013 World Wide Stout last night, it is still just as good. I loved that it was still boozy, but not hot, it would make my noise hairs stand on end when I smelled it. Tasted amazing, glad that I still have 4 more bottles of this sitting in my cellar. This beer has done phenomenally with the years.

 

Part of my Cellar Cleanout 2017
Pours a beautiful pink and orangish with an off white head. Some decent lacing still.
Sweet candies orange rind, maple, maybe some butterscotch and caramel on the nose. It's sweet, smooth bourbon candy, some barrel still present, orange, a slight bit of spearmint and even less oxidation.

I was pretty impressed with this beer still. It's been a nice experiment but probably should drink your bottles sooner rather than later. I don't see this getting better.

 

Wife and I opened a 2013 GI Sofie 750 a couple nights ago.

I am not one to normally perform reviews, so forgive the brief notes.

Both smell and taste were muted compared to fresh. Taste was much more dry - much more like a champagne than the fresh Sofie that I am used to. Almost no citrus flavors left compared to fresh. Almost no funk either (not that I inherently enjoy that, but it is a distinctive quality for me). Reduced carbonation, as should be expected.

Also opened a 2015 12oz bottle. Same as 2013 but less so. Still had many of the same reduced qualities, but they were still present.

We both prefer it fresh.

 

2014 Bruery Melange #1

disclaimer I have never had the two components in this separately. very nice blend. it is an oude bruin first and foremost. tart, tannic, oak soaked in macerated cherries. but then the bourbon/stout notes of Black Tuesday play a great supporting role. charred oak and all the flavor profiles that brings: vanilla, toasted nuts, even some coconut? adds a lot of depth. bourbon barrel most present in the finish, but still not at all bourbon-y. just a pleasant lingering aftertaste. i'm getting drunk

 

2015 Stone Southern Charred (this was last night, I swear [think?] I am not an alcoholic)

hauntingly similar aroma to 2015 Old Guardian Extra Hoppy. an excellent sign. yeah, this is good. either Old Guardian takes after Double Bastard or vice-versa; it mattereth not. this has Stone written all over it. rich buttery bourbon caramel. near-burnt sugars. the bitterness reminds you it's related to Arrogant Bastard and i'm sure it's not as bitter than when it was fresh, it now segues wonderfully from sweet to bitter, picking up great barrel notes along the way

 

I drank mine on new yrs day and all I could taste was mint, wish mine would've held up like yours

 

I had a 2015 FiftyFifty Eclipse aged in Woodford reserve barrels, pearl blue wax, last night. I was a little disappointed in it, was wanting a little more out of it. It didn't have much for flavors or aromas to it. Probably won't be buying anymore Eclipses in the near future, unless anyone has a recommendation for the better ones

 

Good to know, thanks. I purchased a bottle of this while in the US a couple of weeks back. The liquor store kept in a rack out of the light, so I thought i'd take a gamble on it.

Will be enjoying it for my birthday in a couple of month's time.

 

I shared a 16 templeton rye a few weeks back and to was underwhelmed, especially for the price

 

Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Barleywine 2011

First, let me say that I miss the old labels. They were an odd color of plum, primitive, & dorky, & I loved them. The new ones are certainly more in line with the 21st century, but, hey.

I swear this beer has gained ABV in the cellar. The booziness almost qualifies it as an after dinner aperitif. Big caramel hit, barrel still clearly evident, mouth-numbing alcohol. Surprisingly hoppy - there's a sharp bitterness & grounded earthiness that I don't recall tasting in this beer fresh, so I have no idea what that means. The 12 oz. bottle is almost gone, & that makes me sad.

This beer has veered from good to wonderful fresh, but it's one of the best cellaring beers in the country. It changes year-to-year in color & flavor, but it never disappoints. A world-class beer in every respect...although the 2012 I had last week was even better. Wish I had a case of this.

 

I had a 2004 bottle a few months back that I absolutely loved, I also have a 2009 in my fridge ready to go. I have my vertical all the way back to 2009, this is an amazing beer, and ages very well

 

I'll trade you for the 2004 OG! Haha, I honestly think you'll enjoy it. Initially you'll think it's rusty, but damn, she'll open up on you. I'm 100% surprised how well it turned out. But....if you're looking to rid of it, I'll make you an offer!

 

first release of the rodenbach charactere rouge from 2011 (date late 2016)
fruityness held up so good, fine delicate sour and overall no offflavors noticable

only downpoint is that it was my last bottle
meeeh still have a few of the '12 and '13 waiting for me one day

 

Was there any hop presence still lingering in there?

 

I still have quite a bit of 2014, how strong was the oxidation? I'd like to know how quickly I should get to them.