I've made this batch in early 2011. In fact I had it bottled in middle of April 2011. I sampled a bottle here and there and it was about mid July before it was noticeably carbonated. It had a huge molasses flavor at the time and basically very bold.
I shared out a few bottles and basically forgot about them in my lager chamber until I was ready to move in Feb 2012 and I tried a couple bottles and it was a totally different beer!! Very smooth and the flavors all mellowed out. It was still a beer with a potent ABV but unlike its youthful age at 3 and 4 months, this was a beer I could drink a few a day easy and enjoy the flavor. Another plus was this beer was finally fully carbonated like a tingly rootbeer.
I had this stored for a few months in my basement which is 65F or better until about July where I placed the remaining bottles in my lager chamber that is around 40F. My first impression was its just too bold flavored and strong, but now after being patient and letting it come into its own, I will brew this again and again. Its a very nice Brown ale with kick! Its about a year old and with a target ABV of 9%, I should have known it'd take this long before its ripe and ready to drink!
