What's the longest you've aged a beer?

http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/the-longest-youve-aged-a-beer.49395/
http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/whats-the-oldest-beer-in-your-cellar-right-now.120868/
http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/what-is-the-oldest-beer-you-have-consumed.59327/
http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/bigfoot-vertical-biggest.3861/

the forum search function is much improved from the old system.

Good beers to start with, Expedition has won Gold Medal for "Aged Beer" at GABF. I have a case of 2010 I've been slowly drinking.

 

make sure you are just searching the sub-forum that you want

 

Dude, unless your Bigfoot was already aged by at least a year, your first Barley wine was an IPA disguised as a barleywine.

give it at least a year ; or better still buy a proper barley wine like old numbskull (if funds and distribution permits)

 

My personal experience is limited, but so far (and consistent with what I read), there aren't many stouts that go anywhere but downhill after 3 or 4 years. Exceptions apply of course. Barleywines for me go about 50% longer but I happen to like a stickier, less bitter barleywine.

The only stuff I want to take to such great lengths of time are gueuze, old ales (select few) and the odd quad.

It's all about experimentation though! If we all followed the same formula to cellar stuff, it would be awfully boring and we wouldn't have much to discuss.

 

I think what Hopbomber was getting at was seeking out a barleywine that that highlights great malt flavor. Most American barleywines (like Bigfoot, Old Ruffian, Old Guardian, Hog Heaven, etc) are extremely hoppy when fresh, and the malt flavors only shine through after a couple of years in the cellar.

But some like Old Numbskull are more like an English style barleywine. Check out any of the beers on these lists and you'll see the difference: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/152/

In your part of the country, Bell's Third Coast Old Ale or Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Barleywine would be a good examples of barleywines that are not overly hopped.

 

I did not age this, but it was certainly the oldest beer I have ever tried...