Question about Great Notion Double Stack stout

Yes, 9-12 months in refrigeration should be fine. If you follow my advice and find that the flavors faded and the coffee went green pepper, let us know here and I’ll replace it.

Have you had it fresh to know the difference?

 

Gotcha, I was imagining you trading for the beer then sitting on it 9-12 months, which would seem silly if you hadn’t had it fresh. Carry on.

 

Since it's a beer you're really into trying I wouldn't balk at all about getting it within the year. I would, personally, not sit on it any after obtaining it.
The only concern with aging is the coffee getting weird, but honestly looking at how highly rated it is, I would be surprised if it was losing steam within a year.

 

It's by no means a guarantee with coffee stouts (other than the fact that coffee will likely be one of the first flavors to fade when aging a flavored beer) but it is something that certain producers don't seem to be able to avoid. And the conversion of coffee flavors to the 'green pepper' flavor is definitely one of the most disappointing experiences I've had with aging beers. I would recommend looking at the ratings of this beer lowest first and see if anyone mentions getting the green pepper flavor on a year old bottle. But in general, the fact that it's so highly rated after over 600 ratings here would lead me to believe that it is a beer that delivers the promised flavors without off flavors

 

ya I don't think you'll be disappointed. In my experience the 'green pepper from coffee' thing is a bit overblown because of how much of a letdown it is when it does happen. The fading is subtle, when it goes straight green pepper great beer is suddenly bizzarely disgusting.
But please do share your experience with us, and if you get a couple bottles we always love to hear how stuff is holding up after a couple years

 

ah well I was looking at the BA double stack, however if anything that should improve your chances as BAing is basically months of a beer sitting so the final product has that much less shelf life on it

 

Very nice!

I've had several batches of Double stack over the years. Both fresh & others 3-12 months. The only thing I can point is that some batches are better than others. Easily my favorite stout from GN!

 

On the green pepper thing:

I find that people that are prone to detecting green pepper (I have a few close friends this afflicts...lol), will detect it no matter how old the beer or coffee is. It can even be freshly bottled and released. I truly think it's a genetic curse.

As such we have named our main offender Sgt. Green Pepper.

That is all.

 

I am not one of those people that detect it always, but I am in the sometimes camp. Never have found it in KBS at 4 years old or less. Never in BCBCS or Cafe Deth fresh. BCBCS I have had it a little after awhile (2+ years). I had a 2013 last year that had a little of that. I have a 2012 and 2014 to open soon, so curious if it is present there. Not had a cafe Deth old enough to really find out. Only had them at 8mo or less.

Victory Java beer (whatever it is - their coffee stout BA beer) was NOTHING but peppers. Miserable. The only coffee beer I have experienced that with that I can recall.