Returning Kuhnhenn's Beer

Good luck not getting a smartass comment here.

 

I think if you use the same approach with them as you have here, you should get an honest answer. And I don't think it would be improper to inquire. Their beers are meant for aging, right? So if only a year later, you have a box of infection...I think it's fair to get some dialogue going.

Of course I don't know squat about the brewery/brewer personally - so can't offer advice there

 

which beer? I have not heard of any infection issues with Kuhnhenn, so I'm intrigued to hear which has gone bad on you.

As for returning it, I probably would call them. They may be understanding, especially if others have called them about infection issues on the same bottles.

Good luck.

 

I don't want to speculate on which beer the OP purchased, but I had some Creme Brulee Java Stout from 2009 or 2010 that was an infected mess.

Everything else from them has been great though!

 

I know they have had infection issues in the past and have seen it themselves and have not released beers because of it in the past. So they should be somewhat understanding, but you never know. There has been turnover there in the past couple of years from brewers to managers, so who knows how they will take it. I would say your best bet is to call and inquire, that way you if you do come off like a dick at east they won't know who you are. Good luck.

 

I would call them and try to talk with Brett or Eric directly about it. You spend a huge amount of money there each year and have a legitimate issue.

 

When I thought I figured out the flat BB4D issue was because of low fill bottles (not the case, totally random) they exchanged all 6 low fill bottles I brought back weeks later. So I'm sure they would be willing to work with you.

 

Can't wait!!!

 

You're probably out of luck on this. I'd bet I have about a case of "infected" Kuhnhenn beers in my cellar, including creme brulee, solar eclipse and 9. My general rule of thumb with their beers is that if its not ba (4d and bw) it's likely it won't age well.

 

I've had experiences with several bottles of the 2005 BBBW that were clearly infected (tasted as recently as this past December). We actually opened two in one night hoping that the first was a fluke....no such luck. Otherwise, every vintage of the BBBW has been absolutely perfect since.

The only other occasion in which I've noticed obvious signs of infection was the Rauch Double Bock. Other than that, I've had some pretty good luck....and I drink an obscene amount of Kuhnhenn stuff.

So....care to share which beer it is that you think might be infected? Isn't that usually the point of this type of thread?

 

2011 Spring release of 9 (regular, not the 9 Braggot that I know of) is definitely bad.

 

I think the 9 Braggot might actually be bad.....but in a much different way than an infection.....had a weird garbage water thing going on.

We recently did a 9 lineup between the 9 Winter 2011, the 9 Braggot and the 9 Syrah Cask 2005. No signs of any infection on any of those, but the 9 Syrah won out by a mile......which is pretty remarkable.

 

Maybe it's just me, but my thoughts on this is that if you don't want to rustle any feathers of Kuhnhenn then why wouldn't you just shoot them a private email rather than make a public thread about the issue? And I'm not trying to be a smartass here, I just don't get your logic.

 

I was referring only to the 9 from the Spring 2011 release (was sometime around Equinox I think). There were bottles of 9 and 9 Braggot available then. I had liked both fresh, and had almost a six pack of regular 9. I was down to three bottles in early 2012 and chain-opened all three - each had an unpleasant old brune flavor to them.

The Winter 2011 release I liked fresh, but I made a point of just drinking them up right away.

 

Oh, I know....just relaying my experience with some of the other variations. I've personally had some hit/miss experiences with the regular 9 on just about every occasion. Sometimes it comes off as a really nice BSDA (though, nothing terribly special).....other times it comes off more as a totally mystery beer that seems a little too...I dunno....."crowded"?

I've heard reports of some older 4D vintages that were potentially infected (2009?). I've always wanted to try one to see what it was like. ISO!

 

Had the spring 11 braggot last weekend as well, definitely agree on the garbage water