Should you let BA beers age(longer)?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by HokiesandBeer, Oct 17, 2014.

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  1. HokiesandBeer

    HokiesandBeer Initiate (0) Jan 10, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Hey guys, so I recently picked up a bottle of Mikkeller George vs Brian (BA Calvados variant) and was wondering if this is a beer that would get better in a years time or if I should drink it now? I've heard some people say that you shouldn't sit on BA beers as they lose some of their flavor over time and you'll just end up with an Imperial Stout.

    What do you suggest? Thanks.
     
    #1 HokiesandBeer, Oct 17, 2014
  2. brewmastercat

    brewmastercat Zealot (587) Sep 29, 2014 California

    Try to buy multiple and experiment for yourself.
    Some are amazing fresh and ready to drink, some need a little time for the flavor to meld together and mellow out.
    If the beer feels a little hot, or the barrel character is too aggressive, give it some time.
    I would only suggest holding onto it if you have somewhere you can properly cellar it. (Dark, 50-55 degrees consistently)
    I've never had George vs Brian, but I've had a cheery wine BA George and I didn't cellar it, it was delicious and didn't need the time.
     
    #2 brewmastercat, Oct 17, 2014
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  3. HokiesandBeer

    HokiesandBeer Initiate (0) Jan 10, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Unfortunately where I live (Korea) the choices of getting BA beer are almost impossible...you don't even want to know how much I paid for this bottle of G vs B...but craft beer is at a premium here and it's been a VERY long time since I've had something like this. It's my birthday next week so if I doesn't really need to be aged then I might just share it with a friend over the weekend.

    Thanks BMC.
     
    #3 HokiesandBeer, Oct 17, 2014
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  4. tkdchampxi

    tkdchampxi Pooh-Bah (2,473) Oct 19, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Drink it on your birthday!

    The truth is, you will probably be able to find people on both sides of the "Drink it fresh" / "Age it X years" debate when it comes to just about any beer. The best way to decide whether you should age a beer is to drink it fresh and decide what it is about the beer that you want to improve by aging (mellow out certain flavors, decrease alcohol burn, decrease carbonation, etc). If you're aging a beer just because you've heard some beers improve with age, then you're probably doing it wrong. Just my two cents.

    Happy Birthday!
     
    #4 tkdchampxi, Oct 17, 2014
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  5. HokiesandBeer

    HokiesandBeer Initiate (0) Jan 10, 2013 Pennsylvania

    TKD, thanks for confirming my suspicions. This weekend it is!

    Oh and thank you for the birthday wishes!
     
    #5 HokiesandBeer, Oct 17, 2014
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  6. trh70

    trh70 Initiate (0) Dec 31, 2011 Florida

    i will be the first to say that i age beers longer than what others say to. some turn into shit and others turn into awesome fucking beers far better than fresh. i like to experiment.
     
    #6 trh70, Oct 18, 2014
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