Samichlaus Questions

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by CoreyC, Sep 26, 2016.

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  1. CoreyC

    CoreyC Initiate (0) Mar 16, 2015 Wisconsin

    First, I really like sweet beers and I haven't had a Samiclaus I did't love. There are some comments about aging Samichlaus, but I am wonder if anyone can comment on a couple of specific questions. First, I know Samichlaus Classic can go very long. I was surprised, when I recently did a blind tasting of a 2012 and 2014 I had. I liked the 2012 better, but was somewhat surprised that I found it much sweeter than the 2014. Have people found this to continue to get sweeter over time?
    I also recently found a 2014 Helles which I had a on different occasion and thought was very close to the Classics I've had. I already had another 2014 that I was planning to age for 5 years based on a recommendation from someone on this forum. I was told it was "a lighter version" of the Classic, which makes me wonder about how long to go. Have others found it to improve with age?
    Finally, I was on vacation and found a 2013 Samichlaus Barrique. I've not had it or even seen before (or am sure I'll find it again). Someone informed me that this is aged in wine barrels. I thinking maybe I should drink this sooner than later. Anyone have experience with the Barrique?
    Thanks!
     
    #1 CoreyC, Sep 26, 2016
  2. AndrewK

    AndrewK Savant (1,123) Oct 20, 2006 California

    As to the first question, I find that Samichlaus dries out over time, I think that the 2012 might have seemed sweeter because the alcohol heat has dissipated, making the sweetness more apparent.

    I love the Helles but find that it doesn't age quite as well as the classic, because the oxidative notes are not as positive (to my palate). While the classic takes on leathery dark fruit notes from oxidation, the Helles is more honey (which I tend not to care for but others might).

    Samichlaus Barrique was bottled in 2013 and released in the US in limited quantities in 2014. It is Classic aged in Austrian Chardonnay barrels for one month. I think that it will age just as well as Classic, but I have only had a couple of bottles so can't say for sure how it is tasting currently (I should open one soon to see).
     
    #2 AndrewK, Sep 27, 2016
  3. RDMII

    RDMII Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2010 Georgia

    From my experience, anything Samichlaus can go a decade without issue, and I'm sure even longer, I just haven't tried any over 10 years old.
     
    #3 RDMII, Sep 30, 2016
  4. Dupage25

    Dupage25 Savant (1,044) Jul 4, 2013 Antarctica

    I've had Samichlaus Helles out to 7 years. It was delicious, a true treat, like a lighter English barleywine. I've got two from 2007 coming up on their decadal. I'll try one next year, depending on how it is I might have both.

    I don't think it's entirely fair to say that the Classic gets sweeter over time. It would be more accurate to say you don't notice how sweet it is when fresh on account of the joyless mess of nail polish remover, metal, and poor vodka flavors that dominate fresh bottles. Once those flavors subside with age you start to notice the sugars more.

    However, I've not had bottles of the Classic any older than 5 years, so perhaps it starts getting sweeter sometime later on.
     
    #4 Dupage25, Oct 10, 2016
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