Another forgotten beer

I just saw the other thread, and it inspired me to post about mine. Long story short, 12 years ago life got in the way and I stopped brewing until recently. Just before that I brewed a barleywine, kegged it up and set it aside to age for a year.

Two months ago when I started cleaning and rebuilding my kegs I realized one was full. A quick tap on the gas in valve produced a slow hiss and a wonderful smell. After getting over the shock of it keeping pressure all these years, I began to realize there might be a wonderful nectar in there. Unfortunately at the time I didn't have a kegerator, so there it sat. We finally got a new freezer a couple months ago so I could convert the old one to a keezer, and now it's chilling off and under pressure (no major modifications to the freezer yet, I couldn't wait). I'll be tapping it for a sample in a couple days. If you never hear from me again, it didn't go well. :cross:

Thats awesome! Hope it turned out well.

I love reading about these great finds. I felt lucky when I found some three year old BCS last fall, and think it's so awesome when I read about the 20+ year old beer that people have stored or find at estate sales and drink. But, being that it's one of your own brews, this is really one of the cooler stories that I've read.

Please report back.

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awesome. I wonder how it aged. Will it be malty or taste like cardboard?

i'll be over shortly.

Nice!

If it was under pressure, then most likely, you'll have some smooth drinking nectar in there. Savor it...and definitely don't drink it too cold, or you'll lose have the flavor.

~rc~

If anything could age twenty years, I'd put my money on a barleywine. That could be awesome.

Pictures!

Toga said:

awesome. I wonder how it aged. Will it be malty or taste like cardboard?

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If there was still pressure in the keg it won't be oxidized.

we definitely want pictures!

I've been trying to forget about some of my beer for a while but it's not working.

Samples, or it didnt happen!


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nvr2low said:

Samples, or it didnt happen!

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This!

nvr2low said:

samples, or it didnt happen!

Subscribed!

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+1

Eager to hear results.

29thfloor said:

I've been trying to forget about some of my beer for a while but it's not working.

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Same problem here.

...............its like a frikin soap opera.........just tast it already!!!!

A guy from a local homebrew club brought a bottle of mead he found in his parents house that he estimated he brewed about 25 years ago. Never really drank mead much before, so can't offer a fair comparison, but it was delicious.

DannyD said:

...............its like a frikin soap opera.........just tast it already!!!!

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^ This

Amazing. Looking forward to potential stories and pictures.

Awesome! it pays to take care of your kegs.

That puts me in mind of this post that came across my RSS reader the other day

https://zythophile.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/courage-irs-a-40-year-vertical-tasting/

Godspeed!

Gosh dang... 12 year old barleywine... I know what bomber I am buying for dinner tonight.

DannyD said:

...............its like a firkin soap opera.........just tast it already!!!!

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Let me just fix that for you

WOW - jealous! I keep buying more kegs so I can let my beer age a little but so far I just have more friends. I can't wait to hear how it turned out! I'm sure it's going to be amazing!

Nice! Can't wait to hear how it tastes.

Yep...gota hear how this turns out....for the better I hope!

Wow, I didn't think there would be this much interest. I'm picking up a couple snifters and new o-rings for the posts tomorrow. Tasting to commence tomorrow evening. Wish me luck.

Bitty said:

Wow, I didn't think there would be this much interest. I'm picking up a couple snifters and new o-rings for the posts tomorrow. Tasting to commence tomorrow evening. Wish me luck.

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Good Luck.

So if you don't make it make sure you mention us in your will

Bitty said:

Wow, I didn't think there would be this much interest. I'm picking up a couple snifters and new o-rings for the posts tomorrow. Tasting to commence tomorrow evening. Wish me luck.

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Good luck and happy drinking.

29thfloor said:

I've been trying to forget about some of my beer for a while but it's not working.

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This is my only New Years Resolution that is going according to plan

I'd have a hard time waiting 12 months much less 12 years. I would have drank it or lost it or tossed it by now!! I can't wait to hear about it!

Read the story and now I'm hooked. PLEASE post pics!!!!

Cheers, and welcome back

Must know how this turns out!

Yeah, this ought to be good.

The keg posts are cleaned with new o-rings and sanitized. I drew a couple pints off to get any sediment out of the way. Just to keep you in suspense (and to keep with my hard and fast rules of absolute sobriety while I'm working), the actual tasting will commence this evening.