Some of my friends and I at the LHBS have been bouncing around the idea of doing a 5-year series of annual batches, much like others in these forums have done with the 1-1-1, 2-2-2, etc. brews. This was inspired in large part to Stone's Vertical series as well, with the minor detail that we've often remarked that they didn't really seem to plan that series as a vertical. With several of the early batches being lighter styles not suited to aging, they obviously didn't intend for folks to save them up with the intent of drinking through the entire chain (as some have). I can't really blame them for this, as it'd take quite a bit of work to develop the correct sequence of recipes for an entire 12-13-year chain anyway.
... Which is precisely why I'm polling folks for ideas as to what type of brews would make a good 5-year series instead. I don't have much trouble with the first few ideas--I'm thinking a Belgian Quad, RIS, and Barleywine in some order or another--and the last one seems like it'd be well-suited to an IIPA, but the second to last year is throwing me, as is the overall sequence. What type of brews would work best with a 1.5- to 2-year aging period as opposed to the longer terms of those listed above? I'm considering a Scotch ale, but have never really been enamored with those in the past, so I'd like to see if there's something else I'm not considering.
Additionally, while I'll be brewing these AG, most of my cohorts will be doing a PM at best, so whatever I select will need to be relatively suitable for that situation. I'm still trying to work out the overall order of the batches, so I'd be happy to hear suggestions on that as well. I'm thinking the Quad first (a Westy clone that I've been meaning to attempt anyway), and a Pliny clone last, but beyond that, I haven't locked anything down. Anyone else have suggestions or thoughts?
... Which is precisely why I'm polling folks for ideas as to what type of brews would make a good 5-year series instead. I don't have much trouble with the first few ideas--I'm thinking a Belgian Quad, RIS, and Barleywine in some order or another--and the last one seems like it'd be well-suited to an IIPA, but the second to last year is throwing me, as is the overall sequence. What type of brews would work best with a 1.5- to 2-year aging period as opposed to the longer terms of those listed above? I'm considering a Scotch ale, but have never really been enamored with those in the past, so I'd like to see if there's something else I'm not considering.
Additionally, while I'll be brewing these AG, most of my cohorts will be doing a PM at best, so whatever I select will need to be relatively suitable for that situation. I'm still trying to work out the overall order of the batches, so I'd be happy to hear suggestions on that as well. I'm thinking the Quad first (a Westy clone that I've been meaning to attempt anyway), and a Pliny clone last, but beyond that, I haven't locked anything down. Anyone else have suggestions or thoughts?