Sierra Nevada 30th Anniv. Stout Surprise

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by GRG1313, May 23, 2013.

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  1. GRG1313

    GRG1313 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,974) Jan 15, 2009 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I opened the Sierra Nevada Helles several weeks ago and was most pleasantly surprised by what a nice beer it had become.

    However, tonight I opened the SN 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken's Ale (Stout) (Black Label). Yet again just when I had concluded that aging was for suckers and saps (me being one, of course) and having recently concluded that "fresher is better," here comes one of the nicest "aged" brews I've had.

    This stout is wonderful - truly. Looks like oil; smells like a candy/coffee store and just plain tastes good. It has a thick and creamy mouthfeel and the flavors of a "stout malt" or "stout milkshake." It is just rich, creamy, malty, bitter coffee, bitter chocolate, sweet chocolate and just lots of goodness. It is perhaps one of the most balanced and integrated and drinkable stouts I've tasted.

    A winner. And drinking perfectly right now!
     
    #1 GRG1313, May 23, 2013
    Psykhe, sandman3479 and Pahn like this.
  2. mdfb79

    mdfb79 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,757) Jan 11, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    Excellent, glad I still have two bottles. Will probably grab one out of the cellar this weekend now!
     
    #2 mdfb79, May 23, 2013
  3. BorisKarloff

    BorisKarloff Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2013 Ohio

    I split this with some friends a week or so ago - truly a fantastic stout. I wish we had some more!
     
    #3 BorisKarloff, May 23, 2013
    JJWIGHT likes this.
  4. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,775) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Hmm... I have a couple more of those too... guess I'll have to bust one out soon.
     
    #4 JrGtr, May 23, 2013
  5. mikehblack

    mikehblack Zealot (602) Feb 10, 2010 California
    Trader

    Had one a couple months ago and felt it had fallen off a little bit. The black barleywine on the other hand was superb.
     
    #5 mikehblack, May 23, 2013
  6. DOTU

    DOTU Pundit (775) Feb 11, 2011 California

    I have one of the stout and one of the black barleywine left. Looking forward to opening them one of these days.
     
    #6 DOTU, May 23, 2013
  7. drgarage

    drgarage Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2008 California

    I had the same reaction to trying it on draft a year ago. Glad to hear it continues to age gracefully. The dryness is the key to its excellence. It honestly made me think of a dark-chocolate-coated pretzel.
     
    #7 drgarage, May 23, 2013
    libbey and GRG1313 like this.
  8. BigBarley

    BigBarley Pundit (759) Aug 5, 2011 Texas

    Can someone show me the black barleywine you're referring to? Sounds like a great idea
     
    #8 BigBarley, May 26, 2013
  9. jbland21

    jbland21 Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2012 Illinois

    #9 jbland21, May 26, 2013
  10. BigBarley

    BigBarley Pundit (759) Aug 5, 2011 Texas

    I need to remember to make sure when I'm viewing a brewery listing to show ALL beers...

    Awesome, reviews make it sound amazing.

    Having only started aging beers recently (literally 7 months ago), I've gotta say, I look back with a twinge of regret on all the single-release beers I bought several of and frivolously drank off within a week. I will resolve to start setting down some gems as an investment in the future!!!

    As for that particular beer, I'd probably have to trade cases and cases away to score a bottle of that.
     
    #10 BigBarley, May 26, 2013
  11. Pahn

    Pahn Initiate (0) Dec 2, 2009 New York

    obligatory "the black barleywine has transformed into something amazing" post.

    didn't like what age did to the 30th anniversary stout (my favorite of the 4), but i wouldn't say no to it in any form. the black barleywine however, really turned to gold.
     
    #11 Pahn, May 26, 2013
  12. Eriktheipaman

    Eriktheipaman Pooh-Bah (2,303) Sep 4, 2010 California
    Pooh-Bah

    When I had the 30th Imp Stout a few months back it was awesome. I don't think anymore age will do it good and I bet a year ago it was at it's prime. Storage conditions could have had a lot to do with my opinion on it though.
     
    #12 Eriktheipaman, May 26, 2013
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