Question about Great Notion Double Stack stout

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by jts211, Dec 22, 2019.

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  1. jts211

    jts211 Savant (1,109) Aug 5, 2018 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Hello fellow Ba’ers!

    Hoping folks familiar with Great Notion Brewing can help with a question about the Double Stack offering. Wondering if this beer ages well or not. I’m talking like in a span from 9 to 12 months in the refrigerator. Does this age gracefully or not?

    Any insight here would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

    Jeremy
     
  2. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    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?
     
  3. jts211

    jts211 Savant (1,109) Aug 5, 2018 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Thank you for responding. I have not had any GN and am in the process of working out a trade with someone who has this released from April. I will certainly let you know if I obtain any first.
     
  4. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
  5. jts211

    jts211 Savant (1,109) Aug 5, 2018 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    I have had a hard time trying to obtain some, fresh or not. So I’m wondering if it’s worth going after 9 month old Double Stack or not.

    Thanks again for your help!
     
  6. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
  7. jts211

    jts211 Savant (1,109) Aug 5, 2018 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    @unlikelyspiderperson Thanks for your insight. I’ll have to remember this about coffee stouts. I’ve had only voids from THBC 14+ months after canned on date and they’ve been fine. However, not being familiar with GN, I had some concerns.
     
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  8. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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
     
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  9. jts211

    jts211 Savant (1,109) Aug 5, 2018 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    @unlikelyspiderperson I went ahead and asked the person I’m trading with if they’ve had any recently. I just received a response. They said the Double Stack from April canning is drinking fine as of 2+ weeks ago. So I’m going to roll the dice and pursue the trade. However, I will report back here to share my experience/findings.

    I will take your advice and do research on it here too.
     
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  10. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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
     
  11. jts211

    jts211 Savant (1,109) Aug 5, 2018 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Will do. I should note that these are 16 oz cans and not to be confused with the BA Double Stack
     
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  12. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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
     
  13. jts211

    jts211 Savant (1,109) Aug 5, 2018 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    @sharpski @unlikelyspiderperson

    Hey guys. Not sure how to post a pic from my iPhone 6 so I will just post comments. Just about finished a can of double stack canned 04/12/19 (8+ months refrigerated) and got to say it’s tasting great! First GN but am not detecting any booze (for 11%) !! Getting some maple syrup but mostly melted chocolate ice cream with coffee! Middle of the road MF and slight aroma of maple syrup! Really good overall!!
     
  14. Yabu

    Yabu Savant (1,150) Feb 4, 2015 California
    Trader

    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!
     
  15. Sabtos

    Sabtos Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,920) Dec 15, 2015 Ohio
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
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  16. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
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