Top 5 Beers to age!

Interesting. How did you store it? I was just in a closet that wasn't temp regulated, probably hovered between 60-75F. I found it chocolately and some sort of bright, almost citrus-like flavor, with the roast in excellent moderation.

 

Oldest I've had was three years old and I loved it.

 

Mine's in my cellar. Very similar temps, 55-70 degrees.

 

As has been said so many times before in these threads... different drinkers, different palates. I prefer Orval in the 4-5 year range myself. And the aging aptitude of the old version of Courage RIS is often attributed to its brett notes (I've found the 2008 A. Le Coq stout is coming along very nicely in the same vein).

And for the thread... my personal top 5:
De Dolle Stille Nacht (82-99, 2005-present)
Courage RIS (through 1993, new version TBD)
A Le Coq stout (pre-2008 only if stored properly)
North Coast Old Stock
Rochefort (I prefer the 8 to 10 when aged, but they're both pretty great in the 5+ year range)

 

Just a difference in palates, I suppose. I hope the rest treat you better!

You could always swap some for locals with another BA.

 

Black is magnificent with a little age on it. Drank one that was three years old... mindblowing!

 

Unibroue Trois Pistoles

 

Keep aging it. Had a taste of 21-year-old Bigfoot last year. Did not disappoint.

I did a 3-year vertical (2007-2009) last year, and didn't feel like this one changed at all. It was a little disappointing, but only because there was no real transformation.

 

Speedway stout
120
Wws
Immort ale
Berserker

 

Thank goodness! I've been hoarding this stuff for years.

 

I would totally disagree...and so do 2200 other people on this site. You may like other quads better but it is the second highest rated one on this site and a hell of a lot easier to find. It Aldo ages beautifully. 3-5 years it is insanely good!

 

I have a 2007 4D that I got in a trade. I really don't want to drink it, but at the same time, I really do.

 

What's the key to aging beer? A dark cool place? Is there more to it? Are there certain varieties that simply fail to age well? I've never done it before.

 

I opened a 2010 Founders Backwoods Bastard recently......tasty!

 

Talk about opening a can of worms. There's plenty on here and all over the web to read up on, but in the end it's a game of trial and error. Do some research and decide for yourself.

 

Here is a solid start, I think, with only 2 being semi tough to get (depending on your region):

BCBS
KBS
Bells Expy
Stone IRS
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

 

I know Hopslam has been mentioned as a joke but I've started keeping a few each year to enjoy a year or more later. Yes, I love it fresh. But a year turns it into a whole new beer, which my friends and I refer to as Maltslam. It's freakin great. One of my friends hates IPAs & big hoppy brews but after I shared a Maltslam he declard that next year he's going to get as much Hopslam as possible to enjoy after aging.

 

I don't have a top 5 but I aged both versions of Popskull the DFH and 3F collaboration, the Popskull and the Poppaskull. The Popskull bottle by 3F for a year and after tasting I realized that it had gone south, BUT the Poppaskull bottled by DFH I aged for almost 2 years and after sharing with a friend, I realized was one of the best things I'd ever tasted. I think it all depends on tastes, but I just wanted to share that.

 

How long do you age Bigfoot??

 

As long as you like. Had a taste of 1989 last year.