Smoked Porter on clearance... still good?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by isturbo1984, Apr 12, 2014.

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  1. isturbo1984

    isturbo1984 Initiate (0) May 25, 2013 Washington

    I just spotted an Alaskan Smoked Porter on clearance at my local grocery store at 50% off, along with some other beers (all hidden away in a random basket in the back by the bathrooms). I looked though there. Some pretty decent ones caught my eye, but they were all approaching their "best by" date. Yuck.

    However, the smoked porter caught my eye because it doesn't go bad like the others, and says right on the bottle can be aged. So I grabbed it hoping that not only will it still be in good shape, but perhaps even the taste can be better than it would be fresh. My only concern is the temperature. I'm pretty sure the bottle has been sitting in the cooler section for some months. I am positive I have seen this precise bottle actually in the time past. But since it was yanked off the shelf, it had been sitting in that cart at room temperature maybe two or three days. What do you say? Still good? I got it. I haven't had a smoked porter before so y'all are going to have to tell me what to expect. Hoping I can pop the top tomorrow.
     
    #1 isturbo1984, Apr 12, 2014
  2. eatabagofbooger

    eatabagofbooger Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon

    As everyone else will say, there's only one way to find out. I've had numerous vintages in the last year, up to 10 years old, and under ideal conditions, it ages beautifully. Apparently the smoked malts act as a preservative (according to a friend of mine who is a professional brewer). As you mentioned, storage conditions are the biggest concern. Room temp for a few days won't have any noticeable effect. If it's been too warm for extended periods of time or exposed to uv light, then it might not taste so great. But at 50% off, I'd risk it in a heartbeat, especially since it's pretty reasonably priced to begin with. Also, if you can find a fresh one from this year for comparison, I'd highly recommend it.

    Good luck, and let us know how it is!
     
    #2 eatabagofbooger, Apr 12, 2014
  3. isturbo1984

    isturbo1984 Initiate (0) May 25, 2013 Washington

    I'll try it later tonight. Think this will be the beer aged a bit after it was bottled. thanks for the words. I'll let ya know how it goes :slight_smile:
     
    #3 isturbo1984, Apr 12, 2014
  4. steebo777

    steebo777 Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2009 Michigan

    I had a 8yr aged Smoked Porter at GABF two years ago and it was delicious (if you like smoked brews). I have a few bottles from 2010 I'm aging.
     
    #4 steebo777, Apr 13, 2014
  5. Dajtai007

    Dajtai007 Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2009 Texas

    Smoke Porter dominated the aged beer category in the 90's at GABF.
     
    #5 Dajtai007, Apr 15, 2014
  6. billhelm

    billhelm Pundit (871) Feb 9, 2011 Minnesota

    A store near me has had a 3 year vertical of Alaskan Smoked Porter sitting on the shelf for months. Surprising to me that it doesn't sell quicker.
     
    #6 billhelm, Apr 15, 2014
    tx_beer_man likes this.
  7. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    No worries, mate! /me has a lot of experience with AK SP..
     
    #7 Bitterbill, Apr 15, 2014
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