Philip1993
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2007
- Messages
- 1,644
- Reaction score
- 19
About 3 months ago I posted about a then 3 month old kit Oktober fest. It had a really funky taste (not green) and I was sure it was a goner. I wanted to pitch it but since I had room in the fridge, I decided to let it age and see what happened.
At about month 4, it became drinkable. A little too malty, a little too sweet (for my taste), but definitely not dumpable. Another month passed, and I have tapped it occasionally, but mostly as 2nd or 3rd beer rarely as a first. Not bad, but not my taste either.
In the last month, I've kind of had a craving for the 4mo Apfelwein, and have been tapping my sadly astringent 1st AG (hoping for a miracle). As a result, the Marzen sat forgotten in the back of the fridge.
I tapped it again tonight and MAGIC HAS HAPPENED! I don't know what happened or why, but the maltiness has gone down to about 25% of what it was and a totally new flavor has emerged as the dominant one. It's hard to describe. Sweet and a little tart, but not too much so. It's a fruity flavor, almost like the first bite of a crisp peach that's not over ripe, but not green either. Or perhaps it's a honeysuckle or wisteria. Honestly I'm not sure because it hits the senses like it's a smell instead of a taste, but that's an illusion because the beer has almost no aroma other than an hint of malt.
Anyway, I'm writing just to reconfirm what has been said 500 times here. When in doubt, let it wait. When not in doubt, let it wait (if you can stand it). It is absolutely amazing. My least favorite beer in the fridge just became a prize winner between months 5-6.
At about month 4, it became drinkable. A little too malty, a little too sweet (for my taste), but definitely not dumpable. Another month passed, and I have tapped it occasionally, but mostly as 2nd or 3rd beer rarely as a first. Not bad, but not my taste either.
In the last month, I've kind of had a craving for the 4mo Apfelwein, and have been tapping my sadly astringent 1st AG (hoping for a miracle). As a result, the Marzen sat forgotten in the back of the fridge.
I tapped it again tonight and MAGIC HAS HAPPENED! I don't know what happened or why, but the maltiness has gone down to about 25% of what it was and a totally new flavor has emerged as the dominant one. It's hard to describe. Sweet and a little tart, but not too much so. It's a fruity flavor, almost like the first bite of a crisp peach that's not over ripe, but not green either. Or perhaps it's a honeysuckle or wisteria. Honestly I'm not sure because it hits the senses like it's a smell instead of a taste, but that's an illusion because the beer has almost no aroma other than an hint of malt.
Anyway, I'm writing just to reconfirm what has been said 500 times here. When in doubt, let it wait. When not in doubt, let it wait (if you can stand it). It is absolutely amazing. My least favorite beer in the fridge just became a prize winner between months 5-6.