The Oldest Beer You've Had

1995 Tom Hardy's

 

You will have a chance to try 1995 beer soon. It's already in the second box.

 

That would be Traquairlover. If IRC, an 1869 Ratcliff Ale from Worthington.

 

Mine was a Ballantine Burton Ale, brewed on May 12, 1946 bottled December 1956.

 

Had a 2003 Ommegang Three Philosophers in 2010 as well as 2004 Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock around the same time. Both were fantastic, and two of the best beers I've ever drank. I still have a 2004 SA CB that I wanna open in a few years.

 

I received a bottle of Grim Reaper Barleywine about a month ago. The brewery closed in 2003, so it was at least 9 years old. Very delicious, btw.

 

and what was/were your impression/s about it/them?

 

Last weekend had my first ever Westy 12 and it was from 2005. Awesome beer and hoping to try one fairly fresh one day.

 

1994 Sam Adams Tripel Bock-cork was messed up but amazing!

 

1997 SA Triple Bock. Absolutely vile.

 

It was great. Have nothing to really to compare it to age wise but funky, tart and delicious.

 

Man, I am looking forward to that I cannot wait to see what it is! Your extra is a 2009

 

The Kings Ale was heavily oxidized and still, but somehow retained a strong malt presence -excellent vintage flavors of sultana and currant. The hops were non-existent.

The Davos was not my favorite. Oxidation works well in some beers but combined with the already lactic/acidic qualities of the red, it was mostly must, cardboard and battery acid.

The Thomas Hardy's was outstanding (notes of vintage port, raisin, plum, oak) and one of the best examples of bottle aging I've ever had.

The Rodenbach was fascinating! Borderline buttery (sweet cream) which is the last thing you would expect from it! It still had the intense sour tang (without heading over the edge into vinegar territory which the worst examples of this beer leap over and cherry-like undertones. In essence, it was an outstanding play of sweet vs sour.

The Gales was probably the best bottle of the Prized Old Ale I've had. As with all bottles I've encountered,it was beyond flat, but this time it retained some of sugary malt notes with caramel and date front and center.

Other memorable older beers I've had were a 1977 Duvel that was actually brown - again, this was slightly buttery like the Rodenbach but it somehow worked very well and a 1993 Courage Russian Imperial Stout that was everything good that can come from bottle aging (port, sherry, seemingly produced by the solera method).

 

'97 Triple Bock. Smelled amazing, tasted awful.

 

Thank you.

 

2007 is as far back as I've gone. (in 2011/2012)
Cantillon Classic, Iris, Founders Nemesis, DFH WWS and 120 min all from '07.

 

In regards to '56 Westmalle Dubbel -
I knew it had not been stored properly so keep that in mind, but I'm definitely glad to have tried it. It turned to shit real quick but the first few minutes were much better than I expected (that is, once you ignore the oxidation). At that time the cap linings were cork (as opposed to the plastic lining on the underside of the cap now) and it was completely rotted. It tasted nothing like the fresh bottle we used for a side-by-side. I just had this thing at home on display thinking it was undrinkable and one day said 'screw it' haha. If anyone else out there has one from the same batch (got this from Brabander), it's not as bad as his description made it seem. Thanks Thijs!

 

Been looking for a 1989(year I was born). How was it?

 

Hanssens oude gueuze that was about 45-50 years old. One bottle was much better then the other, but both still held up decently over the years.

 

Third. Worst beer I've ever had.