Stone beers

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Beersnake, Dec 20, 2013.

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  1. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I picked up the following today from someone who had cellared these properly. I am curious if anyone has aged Stone beers for this long. Included are 2002 and 2004 Old Guardians, a 2004 Russian Imperial Stout, a 2004 Double Bastard, and a 2002 Anniversary Ale. I noticed that people have discussed Double Bastard aging, and I think this 2004 is not going to be great (4-6 years is probably the limit). I tried a 2008 recently that was fantastic. I am not sure about the OG, but I like the taste of aged American barley wines. Thoughts?

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    #1 Beersnake, Dec 20, 2013
  2. pjkelley82

    pjkelley82 Initiate (0) May 23, 2013 New York

    They are all most likely past there primes but will be interesting nonetheless. My opinion would be the barleywines help up the best.. I would also try to take these to the 20 year mark but that's just me... shoot.. the 04 ris will be 10 soon... get some good friends and enjoy em...
     
    #2 pjkelley82, Dec 20, 2013
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  3. Earlycsquid

    Earlycsquid Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2013 California

    I love me some aged Stone IRS and Double bastard. The Old Guardian typically holds up really well. Should be a good tasting you have to look forward to.
     
    #3 Earlycsquid, Dec 20, 2013
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  4. BiereBlanche

    BiereBlanche Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2007 Colorado

    IRS is hanging strong. OG and DB should be fine as well, I've never tried the anni porter.
     
    #4 BiereBlanche, Dec 20, 2013
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  5. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for the feedback!
     
    #5 Beersnake, Dec 20, 2013
  6. errantnight

    errantnight Pooh-Bah (2,015) Jul 7, 2005 District of Columbia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I personally find that Old Guardian doesn't age that well. It isn't that great fresh, either. But somewhere in between aged all that long and super fresh (6 months to a year, maybe?) I really enjoy it. Double Bastard and IRS I think are great, inexpensive cellar-ready beers (as well as any beer could be said to be)... but my general feeling the more I've had these at various ages is that I prefer them all within the first 18 months more than I do longer.
     
    #6 errantnight, Dec 20, 2013
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  7. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I actually had some 2007 OG on tap a couple of months ago, and I thought it was amazing. I am curious what you didn't like about the aged OG? I agree with you about the fresh OG - not my favorite. However, I am not a big hoppy barley wine person. Cheers!
     
    #7 Beersnake, Dec 20, 2013
  8. errantnight

    errantnight Pooh-Bah (2,015) Jul 7, 2005 District of Columbia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    With the caveat that since every year's batch is a little different it's a bit tougher to say from one year to the next... in general I find it to be particularly hoppy and not particularly malty, and I don't think the oxidative flavors play particularly well in that environment. I'm sure particular storage vessel and conditions will play a lot with it, but in general, this is a beer (and I'm huge Stone fan/apologist) that I basically don't buy anymore because the window where I enjoy it is relatively limited and there are lots of barleywines I personally like a lot more.

    As readily available go, Alaskan's take is way more up my alley.
     
    #8 errantnight, Dec 20, 2013
  9. tommyguz

    tommyguz Pooh-Bah (2,534) May 14, 2008 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I had an 03 Old Guardian that someone sent me and it was delicious!
     
    #9 tommyguz, Dec 29, 2013
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