Sucaba

drink it this weekend with a buddy or 2. then reevaluate how broke you really are and if it is worth seeking out another bottle

 

It's really good fresh but a bit hot. I might let it cool for a bit.

 

My advice if you only have 1 bottle is to drink it now. There is no way for you to compare it to an aged version if you only have one bottle - which IMHO defeats the purpose of aging. Some may argue that age will take down the heat and blend the flavors a bit more, which is true, but maybe thats something that YOU wouldn't want it to do...

 

Drink it now! FW beers do not age that well. One year tops at most and that's pushing it.

 

Hey now, let's not get crazy. Some of the anniversary beers age fine (others don't), and Parabola definitely has. Abacus just doesn't.

 

How did this concept of Abacus not aging well come about? Would anyone in Philadelphia or Chicago do a 1:1, my Sucaba for your Abacus, so I can test the theory?

 

If I were in your situation, I would hold on to it until next year's release. Then, buy a fresh bottle and have them both at the same time. I would also have a friend taste them with you. Somebody who will enjoy it, but at the same time somebody that knows very little, or nothing about craft beer (or whatever you call it). This way you not only get to try an aged bottle and a fresh one, you get to try them side by side, and go back and forth so you don't have to remember how it was a year ago. Also you get your friend's views on the beers without any bias, experiences or negative opinions on the beer or brewery. If you want to take it a step further, have the beers not knowing witch is the aged or fresh one. Have your friend pour or bring the beer after you poured it to the tasting table, then when you're ready have him/her tell you which is which.

 

That's just been my experience, as well as the experience of pretty much everyone I know. I have a few Abacus left (not for trade, sorry) so maybe I could do a side-by-side to see.

I also think Sucaba is better on draft. I've had it both ways and draft always seems better. That one I could see being some kind of weird expectations thing, though.

 

I drank my 2011 batch 001 bottle on Dec 31st 2011 and it was absolutely stunning!

 

Drink it now. You should try it fresh and think about aging later when you another bottle.

Let see if the new Subaca I'll send to you can recreate the magic.

 

I hope so! I am sure it will though!

 

You might be dead tomorrow. Drink it today.

 

Definitely drink it soon, it's quite the experience fresh and the hops should get the chance to stand out. I thought it was excellent aged 1 year and less hot but it had lost some of its juiciness.

 

Drank one last night, and it was fantastic. Smells amazing, and it's not too hot...the heat was there, but it was a nice complement to the beer and not dominant. Took the bomber to the dome over the course of a couple of basketball games (wife does not like barleywine) and enjoyed every sip of it.

 

which ones age fine?

 

I liked 13 and 14 when we did the vertical after 15 came out. I can't really remember how I felt about 14 compared to fresh, and I didn't have 13 fresh. I thought <13 were all worse than 13, but I think that was a minority opinion, actually. Lots of people liked 12.

 

interesting. i guess it comes down to preference. i felt 10 held up the longest followed by 12 and then 14, but 11 and 13 fell off almost immediately. i don't think any of them are great right now, but i'm sure things like storage, tasting order, and palate differences play a big role.

abacus isn't hoppy...

 

Abacus was better fresh than with age. I still very much enjoy this beer with some time on it but it does not improve IMO.

 

Drinking one now. Highly advise doing same. Holy crap it's good.