Need advice on Saison de Pipaix 2002

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Immortale25, Apr 8, 2013.

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  1. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    So I was in a local bottle shop that has an extensive selection today and I looked up at this high shelf that's inaccessible without a ladder where they keep a lot of their overstock and I noticed some bottles that said "Brewed in 2002" and others from the '90s. I took a picture and looked them up: Saison de Pipaix '02, Vapeur Cochonne '96 and Vapeur en Folie '98. After reading mixed reviews of all the beers from vintages old and new, it seems like the one that's most favored is the Saison de Pipaix. I love saisons and think it would be cool to have one that's ten years old but the employees that are usually in the shop are a few Hispanic ladies whose English is fragmented and they know nothing about the tons of beers they carry (it's a convenience store that happens to carry rare world-class beers) so I'd have to come in on a day one of the owners or stockers happens to be in there which is randomly. Also, although the store is fairly well air-conditioned, the bottles are exposed to fluorescent light and who knows how long they've been in the store. There are quite a few bottles of each, so there are most likely some behind the ones in the front. So here are my questions: Is the saison worth asking about? And if so, how much money should I expect to drop on a bottle?
     
    #1 Immortale25, Apr 8, 2013
  2. Davidh

    Davidh Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2006 Louisiana

    B united the importer for Saison de Pipaix and many other products holds a portion of the beer that they represent back in temperature controlled storage. They will then periodically make those products available. Your local beer distributor that deals with B united can call them up right now and order "fresh" Saison de Pipaix dating back into the late '90s.

    Do you like taste of very old beer? If you don't know the answer to that question
    one must find out.
     
    #2 Davidh, Apr 8, 2013
  3. tobelerone

    tobelerone Grand Pooh-Bah (4,220) Dec 1, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I thought this beer was pretty terrible, way over the hill, IIRC pretty oxidized, off flavors, musty, wet cardboard. I'd say stay away unless you want the tick and don't mind potentially wasting ten bucks.
     
    #3 tobelerone, Apr 9, 2013
  4. dbexpert

    dbexpert Initiate (0) Sep 27, 2008 Maine

    It should be about 12 bucks. I think it is worth the purchase if you can get it for 12-15. 2003 is a bit better than 2002. You will find great bottle variance. 2002 will drink more like white wine then beer.
     
    #4 dbexpert, Apr 9, 2013
  5. samie85

    samie85 Initiate (0) Feb 10, 2009 Illinois

    Does it give a year designation on the bottle? I have a bottle in front of me and can't tell the vintage.
     
    #5 samie85, Jun 16, 2013
  6. Knifestyles

    Knifestyles Initiate (0) Jun 7, 2005 New York

    Vintage Pipaix is a fantastic beer if you enjoy ciders.
     
    #6 Knifestyles, Jun 20, 2013
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