Cellared Beer Reviews

[stakem1]

Does BA age OK? I didn't like it fresh but I still have a bottle.

I donno? Ive only had it once and have no basis of comparison. So what im gonna type here is hypothetical.

I dont see why it couldnt age and develope a little. It pretty much hits all the typical criteria:
Abv is high
No coffee or other adjunct that would fade.
Lots of roasted malt character that should mingle nicely with the previously mentioned alcohol.
I dont think the hops were excessive (if memory serves me right) so its not like thats gonna fade. Though, I remember the bitterness in this felt like it came more from the roast of the grain instead of hops. It will be interesting to see if its roasty malt bitterness is something that will temper with time to turn this into a smoother more approachable stout.

The one negative thing I can think of about aging this is that the body on it isnt going to get any better. It was a little thin in my opinion and aging it isnt gonna help that aspect.

 

[sacrelicio]

I donno? Ive only had it once and have no basis of comparison. So what im gonna type here is hypothetical.

I dont see why it couldnt age and develope a little. It pretty much hits all the typical criteria:
Abv is high
No coffee or other adjunct that would fade.
Lots of roasted malt character that should mingle nicely with the previously mentioned alcohol.
I dont think the hops were excessive (if memory serves me right) so its not like thats gonna fade. Though, I remember the bitterness in this felt like it came more from the roast of the grain instead of hops. It will be interesting to see if its roasty malt bitterness is something that will temper with time to turn this into a smoother more approachable stout.

The one negative thing I can think of about aging this is that the body on it isnt going to get any better. It was a little thin in my opinion and aging it isnt gonna help that aspect.

Maybe I'll just pop it soon.

 

[Der Fuchs]

I donno? Ive only had it once and have no basis of comparison. So what im gonna type here is hypothetical.

I dont see why it couldnt age and develope a little. It pretty much hits all the typical criteria:
Abv is high
No coffee or other adjunct that would fade.
Lots of roasted malt character that should mingle nicely with the previously mentioned alcohol.
I dont think the hops were excessive (if memory serves me right) so its not like thats gonna fade. Though, I remember the bitterness in this felt like it came more from the roast of the grain instead of hops. It will be interesting to see if its roasty malt bitterness is something that will temper with time to turn this into a smoother more approachable stout.

The one negative thing I can think of about aging this is that the body on it isnt going to get any better. It was a little thin in my opinion and aging it isnt gonna help that aspect.

It's been my experience that bitterness from roasted malt doesn't fade over time. In fact, as the other flavors change/meld/grow more subtle the bitter roast tends to stand out. Every really old stout I've ever had (20-50yrs) tastes of nothing but oxidation and bitter roastiness.

 

[jedwards]

A couple notes from last night:
Ithaca Brute E!027 (batch 3, I think): Doing incredibly well. Still a very bright tartness, great smooth mouthfeel, very light sweetness, not at all astringent. Super good.
2011 Mother of all Storms: Crazy good, still my favorite batch I think. I'm always amazed at how integrated the barrel flavor is in this one. Lots of vanilla balanced out with good bitterness, rich without being boozy (well, for what it is).
Bridgeport Old Knucklehead Batch 001 (1989): My last bottle of this and I think the best of the bunch. No carbonation but surprisingly rich mouthfeel -- not nearly as watery as I expected it to be. A little newspaper on the nose that dissipated, lots of sherry & honey, stewed fruit and dirt/petrichor flavors in the palate. Very happy with this one.
2004 Anchor Old Foghorn: Doing fine, but not super interesting. Classic aged palate with toffee and bready notes predominant, a little leather, but doesn't seem to be developing any of the vinous/tobacco flavors I'd like to see coming out at this age.
2002 Anchor Christmas: THE SPICE MUST FLOW
De Dolle Oerbier Reserva 2008 (bottled 2009): Killing it, and definitely my current favorite vintage. Almost doesn't smell sour, major rich chocolate note followed by an endless complex sour finish. Fantastic.
2011 Kuhnhenn Vintage Ale: Shows no signs of decline... could probably use another decade. Still got a hop-forward flavor with a bit of a burn, good sweetness. Almost no signs of age, really.

 

[ASUBeer]

This thread reminds me that I need to seek out more MoaS. Haven't had that beer in a long time and love it.

 

[trickytunadicky]

Last njght was a 2010 high gravity stout night. BCBS and Brewdog Tokyo*

The BCBS was still super boozy and for some reason this particular bottle was missing a front label. Had a great fudgy character bringing up the rear. I feel like with the still strong alcohol flavor in the 2010, it may hold up a little longer than the earlier screw top vintages.

It was almost a shame to drink the Tokyo* right after BCBS. For one thing, it is not quite as sweet, and the alcohol flavor is more rounded, clocking in at about 3% more. The cranberry pops out as a bit of a tang, and if you didn't read the bottle beforehand, you might be wondering how a stout with that much alcohol got infected. Knowing that it is a berry, it's pleasantly still there (neither the cranberry nor that jasmine were ever terribly prominent in the flavor profile, even when fresh). The dry hopping has more or less faded out, but there has been nothing unpleasant left behind. This has been a longtime favorite BrewDog beer of mine because it is meant to stand up to long shelf times, which aside from the cost of importing is a big negative to getting their beers stateside. It paired awesome with the strawberry rhubarb pie and honey ice cream I had for dessert.

 

[Espeer]

Jolly Pumpkin Bam Noire. Batch 262, 263. Found a review of this batch from early 2008, so it's at least 7.5 years old.

This is nice. Has gotten much more sour I think. Not lambic or flanders sour, but getting there. Definitely some rodenbach acetic creeping in, but doesn't give that throat burn. Finishes with a standard brett funk. As it warms it seems to thin out a little and I can pick up some roastiness. Fruity, bretty, roasty, and somehow it all works. I think I actually preferred it colder, although maybe that's just because the carb has been dissipating.

Wish I had more JP in the cellar...

 

[Espeer]

Quick update on my last review. The Bam Noire really started to thin out way too much as I got toward the end of the bottle - not sure if it just seemed watery as it warmed or because I got too used to it. Either way, the last 1/3 wasn't nearly as enjoyable as the first.

New review
Dogfish head Burton Baton bottled 01/09/07

I fully expected this to be an oxidized mess. I was completely wrong. First sniff reminded me of cellared bigfoot. Of course, since it is DFH, it's definitely sweeter than bigfoot. Really terrific caramel, tiny bit of bitterness, and then a really pronounced grape/raisininess. I think if you are in the mood for an LBV port, this might do just as well. None of the cardboard or sherry oxidation tastes, even as it warms way up and goes somewhat flat.

It's the opposite of refreshing, but it is very complex and delicious. Carb was good even though no head to speak of. I have none of these left; may have an older palo santo or two left - need to dig those out since I'm now in a DFH mood.

I need to figure out when the need to brush my teeth from all the sugar I just had in my mouth overcomes the desire to savor the aftertaste. This is very sweet, but very good.

 

[Der Fuchs]

Batch 2 anchorage love buzz saison is quite nice, but the spices (which i loved) are being overwhelmed by the yeast. 7/10
Batch 1 will be drank soon.

Batch one is holding together better. More carb, more spice. Nice and floral. 8/10

 

[harrymel1]

2012 Founders IS

A little too much licorice and roasted malt on this at this point I think, teetering on bitter with some baker's chocolate. 1.5-2.5 seems to be the sweet spot for me on this beer.

 

[robertgoulet]

Russian River Damnation bottled on 01 March 2013.

I picked up a case in 2013 and have been opening up a bottle every six months or so. I think that it has started to make the turn downward as the beer seems to taste sweeter than I previously noted and I had some surprising fruit cake notes. I think its time to open the remainder of the case.

I believe this is a 2010 Fantome Noel. Slightly boozy & medicinal, dark fruit, leather, slight pucker, dubbel/barleywine/bdg notes. Still had some remnants of spices, but they were indistinguishable.

I also accidentally purchased a 6 pack of Dark Horse Crooked Tree bottled in 2013. I didn't take a picture because it was terrible. Don't experiment aging this one.

 

[black_cascade]

Anyone opened a 2012 BCBS lately? I was digging through my cellar the other day and found a bottle I didn't realize I had. I'll probably open it this weekend, but I wanted to see if any of you fine people have had it recently. I'll post results when I open it.

 

[black_cascade]

2012 Founders IS

A little too much licorice and roasted malt on this at this point I think, teetering on bitter with some baker's chocolate. 1.5-2.5 seems to be the sweet spot for me on this beer.

I opened a 2012 a few weeks ago and I totally agree with you on the licorice thing. I found it totally overpowering. The body on that beer is so damn awesome though.

 

[danbanana]

Anyone opened a 2012 BCBS lately? I was digging through my cellar the other day and found a bottle I didn't realize I had. I'll probably open it this weekend, but I wanted to see if any of you fine people have had it recently. I'll post results when I open it.

It's great right now. That beer peaks around 2.5 to 4 years and that year is no different.

 

[cr0mster]

Broke open a 2011 Melange 3 tonight. Heat has fallen off and made this incredibly drinkable. Huge notes of toffee with vanilla in the background. Delicious!

 

[stakem1]

This was corked with a best by September 2012. I dont know how far out they put their best by dates but whatever, this was 3 years beyond its best by time. This was very easy drinking. Cider, vinegar and cherry with tartness that wanted to creep into acedic territory but didnt. Very mild oak, vanilla, caramel and a sweetness that was very out of place. I can see why people claim this is pasteurized and/or contains artificial sweetness. Thin, poundable but not something id do again.

 

[ASak10]

Black Butte XXV (2013 version). It seems like this beer doesn't get much love but man, I love how this is drinking and how it's developed over a few years. Lots of sweetness on the nose, dates, raisins, figs, that sort of thing. Taste is a really nice sweetness up front that really has a lot of those same date/raisin/fig notes, which is followed by a nice subtle roasted bitterness and a touch of spice. Still has a little bit of heat even though it's "only" 11% or so, but it provides a nice burn. Mouthfeel is great, nice and sticky, lingers in the mouth for a while after taking a sip. Big fan.

 

[JRBecks]

Anyone opened a 2012 BCBS lately? I was digging through my cellar the other day and found a bottle I didn't realize I had. I'll probably open it this weekend, but I wanted to see if any of you fine people have had it recently. I'll post results when I open it.

Opened a 2013 over the weekend and it was great. Very smooth barely any heat, lots of dark choclate notes on the back of the tongue. Tasted like a really smooth, delicious fudge brownie

 

[Respirologist]

Anyone opened a 2012 BCBS lately? I was digging through my cellar the other day and found a bottle I didn't realize I had. I'll probably open it this weekend, but I wanted to see if any of you fine people have had it recently. I'll post results when I open it.

Opened one about a month ago. Tasting sublime. At it's peak. Heat is gone. Pure bourbon chocolate brownies. I would suggest drinking it by end of the year. BCBS from what I find is a little hot fresh and is perfect at 2-4 years old.

 

[black_cascade]

Damn. Seriously so good. As JRBecks and Respirologist the heat is nonexistent, the 15% is so mellow now. Body is perfect. So much chocolate, coconut, and vanilla going on. I almost get like a faint cinnamon graham cracker thing going on, so awesome! I'm bummed that this is my last 2012 bottle, but I can't imagine this being any better than it is now.

 

[Respirologist]

Damn. Seriously so good. As JRBecks and Respirologist the heat is nonexistent, the 15% is so mellow now. Body is perfect. So much chocolate, coconut, and vanilla going on. I almost get like a faint cinnamon graham cracker thing going on, so awesome! I'm bummed that this is my last 2012 bottle, but I can't imagine this being any better than it is now.

Exactly.

 

[stakem1]

This is very young by cellar review standards but figured id comment anyway since ive been eyeing it for 7 months and is coming up on being a year in the bottle.

This last voodoo barrel room collection was seen as a failure in the eyes of many. The reviews across the board for all the released beers pale in comparison to the likes of black magick and voodoo daddy. I generally hate tequila and while ive had a few tequila barrel aged beers surprise me (PNC for one) this taco flavored kisses was a game changer.

It smells and tastes of grassy agava with zero alcohol impact. Flavors of mild raw oak mingle with vanilla and caramel sweetness. If you were a fan of the OG founders nemesis, I think you would love this. It has familiarity but obviously sub out the bourbon for tequila. The person I shared this bottle with also does not like tequila and he proclaimed this beer as possibly the single best thing he has drank this year.

Not sure if I loved this so much because I was anticipating it being bad or if people are talking **** on Voodoo because they expect every release to be PVW BM? Anyway...if anyone reading this hated it and still has a bottle. Please contact me, id love another or more.

 

[franch]

BT 2012 is ******* awesome rn.

 

[ASak10]

Continuing my 2013 stout drinking/cellar drinking, decided to open an Avery Czar from that year. Wowsers, this is nice. Chocolate, toffee, sweet, and a hint of spice finished with some lingering bitterness. Smooth and easy to drink (too easy, I feel like I could drink 3 bombers in one sitting) without being overly sweet or sticky. Just a really well balanced stout. It's not one you want to have a few ounces of at a share, this is definitely a beer worth enjoying over a couple of pours. This was my only Czar in the cellar, you better believe I'm going to stock up on this, seems like it has the ability to go many more years.

Edit: Almost forgot, also had a Sanctification from 2014 (May batch, I think) so just about a year and a half old and it was amazing. I can't imagine that beer tasting any better than it did today, it was fantastic.

 

[jedwards]

Just opened a Consecration batch 002x3, which in the absence of the bottle log I think would be late 2009 or early 2010 (this bottle has been kept in a temp/humidity controlled wine cellar since release). I found it well-aged though this was not the group consensus -- lots of tannic red wine on the nose with a touch of balsamic, fairly rich mouthfeel with excellent carbonation and a pronounced raisin/prune flavor with a bit of cocoa nib bitterness and quite a bit of rounded sourness. Finish was long with a bit of chocolate and leather and more raisin/overripe fruit, almost to the point of foetor (which I think is where it lost most of us).

 

[JBP]

Crosspost from 10/7 DDT-

10/2013 bottle received via trade (it was supposed to be a 2015 bottle). Holding up pretty damn well actually. Has thinned out a touch from the usual Everett lushiousness, and there is an inkling of fruityness that I don't think is heading in a wonderful direction, but overall...still far and away better than the majority of porters on the shelf. Positive results, but still, bottom line: don't cellar porters people.

 

[Number45]

Crosspost from 10/7 DDT-

10/2013 bottle received via trade (it was supposed to be a 2015 bottle). Holding up pretty damn well actually. Has thinned out a touch from the usual Everett lushiousness, and there is an inkling of fruityness that I don't think is heading in a wonderful direction, but overall...still far and away better than the majority of porters on the shelf. Positive results, but still, bottom line: don't cellar porters people.

I cellared one of these for two years as well and noticed a similar thinning and fruity quality that was weird. Still great though. But, Everett is so perfect out of the gate, it's dumb to age this.

Side note: the two-year old bottle I opened gushed more than any beer I've ever seen. Like a gyser that hit the ceiling. It was kind of hilarious, if it wasn't for the mess it made. Just fair warning in case anyone has some old Everetts hanging out in the cellar. (The beer left in the bottle was still fine, per above. Just holy **** it gushed.)

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

Got into a 25% BA Cuir last night at a tasting. Holding up quite well, oxidation was present but wasn't a detractor. Still not as sweet as Fruet (trololol). Almost no burn (Really smooth though still sweet), tons of caramel/toffee that you'd expect. Smelled really damn close to maple syrup. Barrel was present, but fleeting esp as it warmed. This one still has plenty of legs IMO and could go on for quite a while.

 

[JBP]

2013 BCBBW is really hitting its stride right now, just fantastic.

 

[Der Fuchs]

09 Brooklyn monster has held up well. Great carb, just a hint of oxidation. Mostly a toffee bomb with subtle hints of a Belgian quad yeast and a nice layer of smokiness. Yum. Gonna try some older batches soon. This was surprisingly good.