SA New World Tripel worth aging?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by UPSLynx, Aug 10, 2013.

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  1. UPSLynx

    UPSLynx Initiate (0) Aug 10, 2013 California

    I've been an avid craft beer fan for years, but I'm new to cellaring beer. About six months ago I decided I wanted to start holding on to some special beers that I enjoyed to see how they aged. I'm fortunate to have a friend who's been cellaring for over 10 years, and I've gotten to try numerous side-by-sides with some legendary beers, and it has inspired me to begin cellaring myself.

    I have a small collection at the moment of beers that I know will age well, but one of the first beers I bought to cellar is the Sam Adams New World Tripel (2012 vintage, cellared for about six months now), and now that I've learned much more about cellaring, I'm not sure if this one is worth keeping locked away. Tripels seem to be of the 'not recommeded aged' opinion, and knowing that it's a barrel aged tripel further seems to support that notion. But it is 10%, so above the general recommended ABV of 8%, plus it is bottle conditioned.

    This beer hasn't been around for very long, so I don't expect that anyone's tried it aged yet. What would you guys do with it?
     
    #1 UPSLynx, Aug 10, 2013
  2. AdamP

    AdamP Initiate (0) Mar 26, 2012 Pennsylvania

    The question you need to ask is what change in flavor do you hope to achieve by aging the beer? Personally, I can't think of a reason to age that beer (will probably just become muted over time), but to each their own. For example, I age some sour beers becuse they dry out snd get more funky/less acid forward over time (like cheese), and I prefer the beer like that. Similarly, I feel that certain stouts (Like Founders Imperial) drink smoother with some age on them and will age them to get the desired mouthfeel. just make sure there's a reason you're laying beers down to age (experimenting/curiousity can be fine reasons too), lr you'll end up with a cellar full of beer that tasted better fresh.

    And try not to get tricked into buying 'nice' beers because the bottle looks like the beer should be more special than it actually is. :wink:

    Welcome to the world of cellaring and have fun!
     
    #2 AdamP, Aug 11, 2013
  3. Ol_Johnny_Skippelwicky

    Ol_Johnny_Skippelwicky Initiate (0) Feb 13, 2013 Minnesota

    Have you tried the New World fresh yet? Because that should be your first move in deciding whether to age it. If you've aged beers before, you can start getting a feel for what happens to them over time (hop fade, oxidation, certain flavors intensify while others mellow). Then apply that theory to the fresh beer and give it some thought. The fact that it's bottle conditioned will also guarantee that it will continue to change with time, and hopefully in a good way. Unfortunately I haven't tried any 1 yr + cellared tripels before, but I did open my New World about a month ago and thought it was still drinking great. I could have easily left it for longer. Personally, since it's already there, I'd say leave it in your cellar and see what happens. But go buy a freshy just for comparison. Also get a couple Stoneybrook Reds for the same experiment.

    Good luck!
     
    #3 Ol_Johnny_Skippelwicky, Aug 11, 2013
  4. UPSLynx

    UPSLynx Initiate (0) Aug 10, 2013 California

    Thanks for the replies guys!

    I have tried the New World Tripel fresh (on two occasions actually) and kept tasting notes, so I do have a point of reference. It's my favorite of the SA BRC series, so initially that's why I grabbed it - assuming it would be limited, I wanted to be able to enjoy it again down the line. Now that I know more about ageing beers and how it changes the beers, I probably wouldn't buy this beer today to cellar like I did six months ago, but I am kind of banking on the bottle conditioning adding a little something something. I recall the Tripel having a little bite to it at its ABV, so I'd love to have that mellowed a little.

    It's good to hear that it's still drinking well, but I don't think I want to push my luck with this beer too much. I think I'll keep it cellared for another month or so and then break it out and see where we're at. If I dig it, the NW Tripel is still available so I could always cellar another one. Hell, my buddy is getting married in a month, I think I know what beer I'll be bringing along now!
     
    #4 UPSLynx, Aug 11, 2013
  5. cjhart1s

    cjhart1s Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2014 Missouri

    Hey I just started cellaring beers my self and was wondering how this beer would do aged or if anyone has even tried it before. So any info u can give me would be great.
     
    #5 cjhart1s, Nov 15, 2014
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