"Must Cellar" Beers

Burton ages gracefully. I've had a few that were fantastic from '10 and '11.

 

I did enjoy fresh Dark Lord. It was very sweet and I prefer that over Darkness. I drank 2 right away after dark lord day and I have 4 left. The other 3 will be opened at 1, 2,3 years. (I can count, the other one is in the trading process).

 

1 to 2 years:

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Goose Island Sofie
Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout

2 years or more

J.W. Lees Harvest Ale (really more like 10 years minimum)
North Coast Old Stock Ale
Dogfish Head Olde School
St. Bernardus ABT 12
Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van de Kaizer Blue
Samichlaus Helles (especially after 4 years)
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (deserves another tasting after 2 years)



I wouldn't bother aging Sierra Nevada Bigfoot unless you are willing to wait 5 years before trying it. That beer is amazingly resilient to the effects of aging, particularly regarding hop bite.

 

The malt body gains richness.

Abyss is ho-hum fresh IMO. Best with 2-4 years. Most beers are good fresh too but some really come into their own after a while. Rochefort 10 at 5 years. HOTD Fred at 10 years. HOTD Adam at 15 years.

 

I tend to buy multiples of one-off brews to age a couple just to see what the hell happens in two years. and five.

I'm squinting in your general direction, w00t stout.

 

Had a 2008 dfh 120 a couple weeks ago. I would not recommend going over four years on it. I think two was probably best.

 

Rule of thumb: it's an experiment either way with
No real right answer... Although you'll see trends in responses they are all opinions and one you'll be forming soon..... With some 300 or more bottles sitting myself, my worry is hopefully I don't forget one or more and they go bad.....I've tried to slow on buying to dent the
Cellar, but that's been rough too....

 

Cuvee Van De Kaizer Blauw is an excellent beer to cellar. Can easily go 5 or more years in proper conditions.

 

Hello Wifehatesthebike,

I am really looking to tone down the sweetness with aging and it is still coming down. The 120 becomes more and more like a fine Barleywine with every year. You definitely lose the happiness with time, but that is a tradeoff I am willing to make.

 

I agree with that Dupage. I also think the BigFoot undergoes a 'sick phase' with one or two years of aging where the flavor seems to be going downhill rapidly. But some how it rights it self and five years out becomes a thing of beauty with rich Barleywine flavors.

 

Brooklyn black chocolate stout
Bruery saison rue
Sophie
Stone impy stout
Anchor old foghorn
Chimay blue

 

That's an important point which might ring true with the 120 - beers often go through multiple "windows" as they age where the balance peaks.

 

Mine was still pretty sweet but give it a try. The main issue I has with it was noticeable oxidation.

 

No one has mentioned Bell's Expedition yet, what is wrong with you people? 3 year Expedition was the best beer I've ever had, haven't tried it older than that but apparently it can hold up for a while.

 

I see more than one recommendation for Van De Kaizer Blauw after a couple years. I love this beer but did find it a bit sweet, can anyone attest what it's like after a couple years?

 

Agreed, this was one of the first beers I started cellaring and it ages very well. Added bonus is that it's relatively cheap and not a real chore to hunt down. Great beginner's beer to age.

 

I've had good luck with Hopslam and Pliny the Elder. They get some nice barleywine characteristics with a year or two, once the overly aggressive hops have had a chance to fade.

 

HOTD Matt

 

From my experiences mostly w/ stouts. These are beers I've consumed from others cellars and from conversations with them.

Bell's Expedition (cellar you long time)
Founders Imperial
KBS (wouldn't rec more than 3-4 years)
Black Note
DFH Old School
GL Blackout (smooth as silk 3 years out)

 

De Dolle Stille Nacht