Which beer should I open first?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by fox227, Apr 13, 2013.

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  1. fox227

    fox227 Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2010 California

    I like to age beers here and there, but due to lack of perfect conditions (I can age about three years tops with good results) and lack of funds to do side by sides, I often age big beers that I haven't even tried yet, just to get a bit of the heat edge to fade off some. Which of these beers should I open first, as in which should be drinking great already?:

    The Abyss 2012
    Sucaba 2013
    Double DBA 2012
    Alesmith Decadence 2012
    Firestone XVI
    Jewbelation Sweet 16
    Old Rasputin Barrel Aged 2013
     
    #1 fox227, Apr 13, 2013
  2. GRG1313

    GRG1313 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,974) Jan 15, 2009 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Open them all! That's what they're for! They have been released and are/were for sale for us to drink....now; especially the barrel aged which the brewer was sufficiently kind to already age for you/us.

    I'm not kidding. It makes no sense whatsoever to age a beer for any amount of time before you taste it yourself and it is somewhat equally foolish to trust the taste of strangers. (Finding people in whom you place trust and confidence based on experience is another story). However, my feeling is that in all cases it makes no sense to age a beer until you've tasted it. Then YOU DETERMINE what beer(s) to age; for how long; and why. Remember, with all due respect, most beers soften with age (which means lose flavor profiles.) The alcohol percentage never changes. Most beers just get different, not necessarily better.

    The beers you mention are all big, flavorful and full bodied now. You may not want them "softer" or with "less character." You may decide after aging one (after tasting it first) that you love the beer aged; or, you may decide that most aging is simply expirementation (which is fun) but that you prefer your brews fresh.

    I believe that each of the beers you mention will never be more "bright," "alive," or "what the brewer intended" than they are right now. Each deserves at least fresh tasting before you/we make conclusions about how they are aged.
    Just my opinion.
     
    #2 GRG1313, Apr 13, 2013
  3. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I've never cellared/aged a beer that I didn't first try fresh. And I never will, but that's just me.
     
    #3 Bitterbill, Apr 13, 2013
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  4. fox227

    fox227 Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2010 California

    Thanks for the input. I don't drink big beers all the time, so drinking them ALL will take a while. I guess I'll just open any of them, then.
     
    #4 fox227, Apr 13, 2013
  5. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    A note taker?
     
    #5 inchrisin, Apr 22, 2013
  6. HighWine

    HighWine Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2010 Illinois

    I'd recommend this order:

    Double DBA 2012 (It was delicious fresh and needs no aging)
    The Abyss 2012
    Alesmith Decadence 2012
    Sucaba 2013
    Firestone XVI
    Jewbelation Sweet 16 (Could even argue to drink this first since it is still on shelves. If you decide to age another, you can still buy one)
    Old Rasputin Barrel Aged 2013
     
    #6 HighWine, Apr 22, 2013
  7. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I thought ddba was a hot mess. I'd go after the abyss first. So tasty.
     
    #7 SFACRKnight, Apr 22, 2013
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