Should I age this year's surly darkness?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by BreakingBad, Oct 31, 2012.

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Should I age surly darkness?

  1. Age one or two but drink most of them fresh

    9 vote(s)
    64.3%

  2. Age most of them, it's better with age on it

    5 vote(s)
    35.7%
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  1. BreakingBad

    BreakingBad Initiate (0) Sep 17, 2012

    I was wondering if I should age this years darkness? I've had 08-11 vintages and I gotta say I like this year's fresh far better than any of those other years aged on them. It was less sweet and had alot better hop character. Just curious what you guys think
     
    #1 BreakingBad, Oct 31, 2012
  2. coreyfmcdonald

    coreyfmcdonald Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2008 Georgia

    If you like hoppy, less sweet stouts there is no reason at all to age it. However, I much prefer Darkness with some age on it.
     
    #2 coreyfmcdonald, Oct 31, 2012
  3. JoRado

    JoRado Initiate (0) Oct 26, 2010 Minnesota

    Yep I have to agree with this. The hop flavor will only become less apparent with age so if that's you favorite part of this years, well then you have a lot of darkness to enjoy in your near future.
     
    #3 JoRado, Oct 31, 2012
  4. BreakingBad

    BreakingBad Initiate (0) Sep 17, 2012

    does the bitterness still last?
     
    #4 BreakingBad, Oct 31, 2012
  5. smutty33

    smutty33 Pooh-Bah (2,172) Jun 12, 2009 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It will fade,if you likem hoppy I suggest you get to drinkin.

    Cheers
     
    #5 smutty33, Oct 31, 2012
  6. JoRado

    JoRado Initiate (0) Oct 26, 2010 Minnesota

    Nope it will fade as Smutty33 said. '11 was a very smooth, silky sweet chocolate flavor, with hardly any bitterness at all. It was delicious in my opinion, but when I drink RIS's I prefer not a lot of hop flavor. I understand they have to slightly change it every year, and I think they did a great job on the beer, but I wasn't scrambling for a second glass. On a side note Brett Liquor was awesome along with Tea-Bagged Furious.
     
    #6 JoRado, Oct 31, 2012
  7. youradhere

    youradhere Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2008 Washington

    Your question is kind of like asking: "should I eat my fench fries with ketchup or tartar sauce?" It really depends upon what you like, bud. You say you like it fresh? Drink it all fresh then! I think this years Berserker is perfect, and any aging of it would harm it rather than help it- so I'm not holding onto any. It's that simple :slight_smile:
     
    #7 youradhere, Oct 31, 2012
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  8. axeman9182

    axeman9182 Initiate (0) Aug 5, 2009 New Jersey

    I think the hoppiness is what makes Darkness relatively unique, so if you like that quality then drink most of them fresh. I'm sure it will be a great beer aged, but it will be more like other (great) stouts that have a little bit of age.
     
    #8 axeman9182, Oct 31, 2012
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