Nightstalker Cellaring/Aging

rarity: none

cellarability: none

 

I still have some of the original release, which I forgot about more than trying to age them. I broke one open a good year+ after the release and thought it was still good.

 

I have had a few bottles of the Feb 2011 batch recently and its fantastic. The hops fade and its basically just Cook County Stout. I think it will be much harder to get than it used to be. All the shops I know of in MN got a few cases with no more coming in the foreseeable future.

 

I have uh a 3 year vertical, plan on cracking the 2009 next week maybe even tomorrow. Drinks solid with age, but yea hops fade which I like personally.

 

Just cracked one fresh (bottled 11/19/12) and it's not good. I too had one bottled Feb '11, drank it at the end of Sept this year and it was amazing. Since you have 3 bottles, it wouldn't hurt to try it fresh and let the other 2 age 1-2 years.

 

Night Stalker was retired, but it is now re-released and should be around so I agree. It only has trade value for someone who doesn't get GI and then just shelf stuff.

I disagree on the cellarability, but it depends on personal preference. NS is a very hoppy stout. While I appreciate that fresh, I prefer less hops in a stout (why buy it you might ask), so cellaring is positive for me. To each his own.

 

Yeah we did the whole GI spread and someone had some b1 Nightstalker and it was very very blah. I much preferred it fresh.

It's not bad, but it's not better than fresh, IMO

 

The first time I had Nightstalker it was aged about 2 years (accidentaly - I basically found a bottle that I forgot I bought). I thought it was delicious. Had the last batch fresh and didn't like it too much. It's really a matter of personal preference. If you like hoppy stouts drink it fresh. If you're like me and don't particularly like overly hoppy stouts, age it. I thought it was much better with age.

 

Yep. Have had a few of the '11 ones this year, thought it was pretty darn good. LOVED the last '11 I drank a few weeks back, was almost just a non-barrel aged BCBS, didn't taste any of the hops at all. So good.

 

Just last night my buddy and I threw down my 2010 Night Stalker and I have to say it was fantastic. Amazingly smooth and just the right stuff all over. I have a 2011 and 2012 that I may do the same and age em 3 years, or if I have the patience more but 3 seemed just perfect.

 

This ^! I had a bottle of 2010 earlier this week and it blew me away. I'm ok with fresh Nightstalker, but after having one with this much age on it, I would strongly encourage everyone who's on the fence to age the shit out of this beer!

 

I didn't like it at all fresh but bought a few back in 2010 and stuck them in the cellar. I think this is my best aging experience as they're tasting absolutely fantastic now!

 

You guys are spot on! I much preferred it with some major cellaring on it. If you can call 2 years major cellaring. I might have my last bottle on NYE.