Trader Joe's Vintage Ale

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by TheNoodleIncident, Aug 9, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 4
  1. TheNoodleIncident

    TheNoodleIncident Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2012 New York

    Anyone actually bother to age Trader Joe's Vintage Ale? I know it may not be on the same level as most of the beers that get discussed, but I found it to be pretty good stuff (brewed by Unibroue) and for a price that can't be beat. I think I have two bottles of the 2011 left - considering opening one this weekend (so I guess that would be about 6 months or so).

    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10707/75230
     
    #1 TheNoodleIncident, Aug 9, 2012
  2. WassailWilly

    WassailWilly Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2007 New York

    Personally I think aging it would be great. I would like to try some from any year tho !!
     
    #2 WassailWilly, Aug 9, 2012
  3. Hanzo

    Hanzo Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Virginia

    I am sitting on one, I see no reason why this wouldn't be a great candidate for aging given the low entry fee....even if you discover it doesn't age well you've only lost $5....
     
    #3 Hanzo, Aug 9, 2012
  4. pmoney

    pmoney Initiate (0) Apr 15, 2011 Illinois

    I have two from 2010 and two or three from 2011. I haven't tried any of them with age yet - only fresh. When the 2012 comes out this year, I'm planning to do a three-year vertical.
     
    #4 pmoney, Aug 9, 2012
    njhopspop likes this.
  5. afrokaze

    afrokaze Pooh-Bah (1,962) Jun 12, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I have one from last year that's gonna be opened alongside this year's when it drops. Nothing too crazy but I figure it'll be a tasty BSDA anyways.
     
    #5 afrokaze, Aug 9, 2012
  6. mikehblack

    mikehblack Zealot (602) Feb 10, 2010 California
    Trader

    I drank one of my 2010s about a month ago. It was drinking quite nicely though I don't recall how it tasted fresh. Interested in doing a 3 year vert with the 2012 version.
     
    #6 mikehblack, Aug 9, 2012
  7. TheNoodleIncident

    TheNoodleIncident Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2012 New York

    Yeah, I only have 2, so even though it would prob be nice to drink them at one and two years, I'm being impatient and might check out one this weekend.

    And since they are so easy to get, I can stock up for future years if it turns out they age well.
     
    #7 TheNoodleIncident, Aug 9, 2012
  8. JRod1969

    JRod1969 Maven (1,290) Nov 23, 2010 New York
    Trader

    I have a bunch of 2010 and have enjoyed them over time. I actually have too many, but never feel comfortable sending them out as some don't realize it's really Unibrou and not some store crap. If anyone needs '10 or '11 for a vert, let me know.
     
    #8 JRod1969, Aug 9, 2012
  9. TheNoodleIncident

    TheNoodleIncident Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2012 New York

    where in ny are you? wasn't planning on doing this, but ill keep you in mind when the '12 comes out
     
    #9 TheNoodleIncident, Aug 9, 2012
  10. TheNoodleIncident

    TheNoodleIncident Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2012 New York

    you don't have a TJ near you?
     
    #10 TheNoodleIncident, Aug 9, 2012
  11. Eriktheipaman

    Eriktheipaman Pooh-Bah (2,303) Sep 4, 2010 California
    Pooh-Bah

    I had a 2010 a few months back and it was drinking great. It hadn't turned into a crazy aged god of a beer but it was solid. I think it could take another couple years and still be great. I think I have 9 bottles left from last year and am looking forward to this years release which should be no later than Nov.

    I am more interested to see how this years Mission St. Anny will hold up though because that was a rough beer fresh.
     
    #11 Eriktheipaman, Aug 9, 2012
  12. TheNoodleIncident

    TheNoodleIncident Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2012 New York

    Didn't know this existed - when does it come out?
     
    #12 TheNoodleIncident, Aug 9, 2012
  13. JRod1969

    JRod1969 Maven (1,290) Nov 23, 2010 New York
    Trader

    NYC and LI.
     
    #13 JRod1969, Aug 9, 2012
  14. TheNoodleIncident

    TheNoodleIncident Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2012 New York

    LI here...good to know
     
    #14 TheNoodleIncident, Aug 9, 2012
  15. Eriktheipaman

    Eriktheipaman Pooh-Bah (2,303) Sep 4, 2010 California
    Pooh-Bah

    I came out maybe 5-6 months ago? It hung around for what seemed forever which was cool. It ran $3.29 a bomber and was a blend of I think an Imperial Stout and Imperial Brown? I could be wrong but I know it was a blended ale.
     
    #15 Eriktheipaman, Aug 9, 2012
  16. gdodd12

    gdodd12 Initiate (0) Oct 1, 2009 Georgia

    I have some from 09,10,11. Sounds like I missed the '12s....
     
    #16 gdodd12, Aug 9, 2012
  17. TheNoodleIncident

    TheNoodleIncident Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2012 New York

    Vintage Ale or Anniversary Ale? Vintage '12 isn't out yet.
     
    #17 TheNoodleIncident, Aug 9, 2012
  18. afrokaze

    afrokaze Pooh-Bah (1,962) Jun 12, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You're thinking of the Anniversary Ale, which is similar to the blend of the FW Anny beers minus the barrel aging. Pretty great for the price.
     
    #18 afrokaze, Aug 10, 2012
  19. Eriktheipaman

    Eriktheipaman Pooh-Bah (2,303) Sep 4, 2010 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Yup read above to the post I was quoting.
     
    #19 Eriktheipaman, Aug 10, 2012
  20. vande

    vande Initiate (0) Jan 26, 2007 Illinois

    Usually this comes out at the winter time.... I've had back through 06 I think... and that one was with a couple years on it... Pretty darn good. I think I've got the last 3, maybe 4 sittin in the fridge from a recent cellar to fridge transition....and if I remember, these run round $5 or so..
     
    #20 vande, Aug 10, 2012
Page 1 of 4
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.