My first batch turned out mediocre (more the fault of a lackluster recipe from my LHBS than a mistake on my part) and I was really not very happy drinking it. I shared it out with friends and family every chance I got and used it in cooking. I kept trying them periodically, but while it did get a little more conditioned it didn't improve that much. I managed to burn through the batch pretty quickly by sharing and cooking.
Just recently I really screwed up my efficiency during the sparge of an IPA and ended up with a 3.5% beer hopped for a 7% beer. It was undrinkably bitter coming out of the fermenter so I ended up dumping it rather than bottling. In hindsight I kind of wish I had just put some in a bottle without carbing it to use it for cooking, but I don't regret dumping it at all. I made room for my Saison to go into the fermenter and don't have to struggle through a batch that didn't turn out good. There is wisdom in seeing how a beer will change after some time in bottles, but some are never going to improve much.
Just recently I really screwed up my efficiency during the sparge of an IPA and ended up with a 3.5% beer hopped for a 7% beer. It was undrinkably bitter coming out of the fermenter so I ended up dumping it rather than bottling. In hindsight I kind of wish I had just put some in a bottle without carbing it to use it for cooking, but I don't regret dumping it at all. I made room for my Saison to go into the fermenter and don't have to struggle through a batch that didn't turn out good. There is wisdom in seeing how a beer will change after some time in bottles, but some are never going to improve much.
