Surly Abrasive - 6 Months Old... Pass or Buy?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Dawgboned37, Jun 10, 2014.

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  1. Dawgboned37

    Dawgboned37 Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2013 Missouri

    I'm in a small town in MN right now, and they have four 4-packs of Surly Abrasive 16oz cans in the cooler that were bottled in December 2013. The distributor happened to be in the store and asked if he could help. I told him that he had 6-month old beer on the shelf, so he offered to "blow it out" for $9 per 4-pack. This beer has been sitting in the cooler since December... Maybe the cold preserved some of the hop flavors/aromas. Pass or Buy at that price?
     
  2. mnredsoxfan69

    mnredsoxfan69 Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2013 Minnesota

    I'd buy, but then I'm not that fussy about how old certain beers are. I'm not strict about only drinking beers that will be bottled tomorrow.
     
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  3. thatoneguymike

    thatoneguymike Pooh-Bah (1,947) Sep 18, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    Never had the chance to try it, but really want to, so I personally would buy it
     
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  4. HoppySeb

    HoppySeb Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2014 Washington

    I recently had 3 Abrasives canned on 1/14 - I was not too optimistic about 'em but man were they great! I still would like to try it fresh but I'd say go for it. Hop presence was still dominating both the nose and the taste, it was well balanced with perfect carbonation.

    Edit: Recently had = last week.
     
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  5. Sunn

    Sunn Initiate (0) Oct 14, 2012 Iowa

    Yep. Why skip the chance? I've had plenty 6 month old IPAs that were still great.
     
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  6. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    I'm a fresh freak, but for the price I'd buy, just as curious as to how well it lasted 6 months out. At full price I'd probably pass it up though, hopefully you find a gem.
     
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  7. MrWilliams

    MrWilliams Zealot (637) Nov 24, 2013 Arizona

    Never seen Abrasive here, and not going to check to see if it's distributed to FL before posting. But, if I saw it even at 6 mo I would try it out.
     
  8. Stevedore

    Stevedore Grand Pooh-Bah (5,096) Nov 16, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    If I was going to drink a 6-month old DIPA and hoping it would still be good, I'd pick Abrasive over Heady/Pliny/Double Sunshine/Citra/Abner etc etc. Go for a 4-pack and report back!
     
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  9. alexsergio

    alexsergio Grand Pooh-Bah (3,115) Mar 7, 2011 New York
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Buy. Abrasive is still great 6 months later.
     
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  10. Dawgboned37

    Dawgboned37 Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2013 Missouri

    Ok Gents, I did end up grabbing a 4-pack. ...........aaaaand I'm happy to report that this beer absolutely holds up! The hops still dominate the nose and the taste. Very balanced bitterness, and solid carbonation! Pumped to get this for such a solid price (less than $2.50/pint)! I had this beer in the Surly taproom in February at the height of freshness, and I'm enjoying this one just as much. Cheers!
     
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  11. Ramana

    Ramana Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2014 Minnesota

    Definitely at the discounted price I'd buy it. I bought a single a while ago that was 4-5 months old to see how it dropped off, and compared to a lot of beers I've had it held up pretty good. No honey malt sweetness, which is the most horrible taste to me personally and my tongue finds any hint of it.
     
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  12. Circles413

    Circles413 Crusader (495) Feb 4, 2014 Illinois
    Trader

    $9 a 4 pack!?!?! Buy it all!!!
     
  13. Treyliff

    Treyliff Grand Pooh-Bah (5,025) Aug 10, 2010 West Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Buy Buy Buy!
     
  14. ubenumber2

    ubenumber2 Maven (1,457) Sep 1, 2012 Arkansas

    I'm buying some at full price this week , a store already put it back for me , just so I can finally get my hands on some ,I myself am not a fresh freak , I just had a sucks and a hopslam from this winter and enjoyed both
     
  15. pgrenvicz

    pgrenvicz Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2013 Georgia

    Recently had a couple that were about this old and I've got to say this beer holds up extremely well. One of my personal faves!
     
  16. HopBomb515

    HopBomb515 Pooh-Bah (2,277) Jun 15, 2013 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

  17. xdtfx

    xdtfx Savant (1,236) Aug 27, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    At $9, why not? Worth a try. At full price I would pass. I have only had fresh Abrasive and I am one of those who are picky about my IPA's being fresh.
     
  18. Inglewood

    Inglewood Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2013 Illinois

    I'm drinking one right now and it's Grrrrrrrrrrr8!
     
  19. kzoobrew

    kzoobrew Initiate (0) May 8, 2006 Michigan

    I am torn. I had a four pack a couple months ago, at that point it was a bit long in the tooth already. I enjoyed the beer but it was certainly lacking compared to a fresh sample. If given the same opportunity at this point, I would probably pass. I would not go out of my way to tell someone to avoid it however.
     
  20. SeanBond

    SeanBond Pooh-Bah (2,904) Jul 30, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I would certainly buy it. I haven't had Abrasive that was that old, but that's one of the best DIPAs out there, so I would imagine it'll still be at least "great" (if not "amazing") after 6 months.
     
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