I've been aging beer for about 3 years now and tend to open things after 6 months to a year. It's amazing how much thing can change in a matter of months. Stone ris was the first that i pulled out a bottle every 3 months for a year. I found i enjoyed the 3 month mark more than the others. what were your thoughts and favorites?
I opened a bottle of '07 BCBS last winter and have to say it was aged too much. I also had a bottle of speedway stout that was aged about 3 years and like it fresh better. KBS seems to taste fantastic regardless. Not a stout, but Gnarleywine with a few years on it is amazing.
Wasn't the '07 a twist off? I've heard lots of problems with that year. Not that it changes your opinion but I had an '06 a few months back and it was delicious.
I have had multiple bombers of 2009 BCBS that have held up extremely well over time and still taste great. Unfortunately, 2010 Abyss (which I thought was amazing when it came out) seems to be going downhill with every bottle that I have opened since its release.
BCBS - somewhere around 3-4 years. 2008 is drinking better than Rare right now, but I don't think it's getting any better. Then again 2011 was incredible fresh, so it may depend on this one. KBS - somewhere between 6 and 18 months, once this beer hits 2 years it oxidizes and falls apart. After 6 months or so the coffee fades and incredible vanilla and dark chocolate notes push through the bourbon.
Expedition Stout gets really good at the three year mark. I haven't been able to keep it longer than that but I want to say the '97 vintage took the gold for Aged Beer at the 2011 GABF.
I've been cellaring ST's Creme Brulee since October 2012. I find it phenomenal fresh - how'd you like it after 6-8 months?
Everything pre 09 BCS was twist offs I believe. I had some 08 about a year ago and it was excellent. Definitely cannot imagine it getting much better than it was then.
