Parabola 2011 vs 2016

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by sukhoi584th, Jun 26, 2016.

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  1. sukhoi584th

    sukhoi584th Aspirant (280) Jun 20, 2010 California

    Tried to reply to my old thread from 2011 but apparently my marriage has lasted longer than threads do here. Anyway, my wife and I have a set of 2011 Parabola to drink in 2016, 2021, 2036, and 2061 in honor of our various anniversaries. It's now 2016. A couple months ago we grabbed a pair of 2016 Parabola to have now and in 2021.

    So, what you all care about: 2011 vs 2016 Parabola. In summary, the 2011 is better. Definitely chose the right beer to try to age for 50 yr after a bunch of back-and-forth vs various Belgians. The 2011 is very mellow now, but with a delicious barrel-aged flavor of chocolate, coffee, and hints of caramel and fruit. Nothing stands out too strongly and overall it's very smooth, though a little lacking on carbonation at this point. The 2016 Parabola is good but sweeter up front and more bitter at the end with much stronger flavors of coffee and dark-fruit.
     
  2. raynmoon

    raynmoon Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2011 Colorado

    This year's was really bitter. Like ... curiously bitter.
     
  3. Sir_Whats-his-face

    Sir_Whats-his-face Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2015 Oregon

    I seem to be in the minority, but I actually liked that the 2016 vintage was drier and oakier than previous vintages.
     
  4. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    So what are your plans when Parabola is dropped? Probably inevitable given that length of time. Guinness might have been a safer bet, though less interesting.
     
  5. sukhoi584th

    sukhoi584th Aspirant (280) Jun 20, 2010 California

    Oh we'll just stick with the 2011 vintage (and the single extra 2016) if they drop it. The original plan never involved buying the current release to have for the various anniversaries. But it was pretty useful for this year to get an idea of how the 2011 was handling the age. Regarding something like Guinness, it would probably be safer in terms of current beer being available for the trials, but less likely the old beer would be in good shape. We picked Parabola partially for the high ABV.
     
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