Cellared Beer Reviews: December 2013

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libbey

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2011 Fremont Bourbon Abomb

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Opened my last bottle of 2011 Fremont B-bomb tonight.

Barrel notes are almost non existent at this point which doesn't surprise me because this beer had a very minimal barrel presence to start with. In the time it has laid down it has opened up into more of a true old ale. Big hits of tobacco and leather with a touch of sherry and oxidation which is a compliment IMO.

I found it to be quite enjoyable but if your looking for a stronger barrel presence you are going to leave disappointed. I prefer this beer fresher but it was fun to watch this beer change over the last couple of years. If nothing else it has reconfirmed my belief in drinking the barrel aged stuff sooner than later.
 
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Bell's Batch 9000

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This beer was still loaded with huge hits of anise, backstrap and plum notes. It was still a touch hot even after 2+ years and I still think this guy has some legs under it to go further. I enjoyed it tonight but wouldn't mind revisiting this in a couple more years.
 
Bell's Batch 9000

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This beer was still loaded with huge hits of anise, backstrap and plum notes. It was still a touch hot even after 2+ years and I still think this guy has some legs under it to go further. I enjoyed it tonight but wouldn't mind revisiting this in a couple more years.

Do you need another bottle? I've got one that's about to be thrown in with the next trade that is yours if you want
 
2012 Firestone Walker Sucaba



I'm getting more and more convinced that the sweet spot for Firestone Walker barrel-aged beers is 8-16 months, and beyond that they start to fall off. This is still drinking nicely but isn't touching the 2013 right now. A touch of oxidation, the barrel notes are still there but leaning more towards the wood side of things.
 
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Like most, it is a tome of unknown age. It has been in my cellar for years. Who knows how long it was sitting on that shelf by the time I rescued it from shelf turdom.

The best way for me to describe this beer is a slight variation on an awesome bottle of Fantome classic saison. Instead of the pineapple and strawberry that sometimes is present, this is like a mix of orange, lemon and lime juice. Its age is showing just a bit with a very mild oxidation that easily blends into that earthy and funky fantome character. It is more tart than any "extra sour original creation" bottle ive tried.
 
First post here. Nov 2012 old jubilation consumed yesterday-excellent! The little bit of age pulled a ton of caramel sweetness to the front. Alcohol totally hidden where fresh it tasted higher than its ABV. I bought a couple sixers today of a beer I never thought I'd drink again for next year.
 

Opened this for Christmas. Don't have a full review, but just wanted to say (at least this bottle) there's still some life left. Bourbon notes were still full, oxidation wasn't overly prevalent, and overall it was immensely enjoyable. This coming from someone who doesn't typically prefer aged beer. No carbonation at all if that's an issue, but I'm used to Hair of the Dog, so...
 
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Its like a mimosa (in the nose at least.)
The taste is probably the most boozy Fantome I have had to date. Solvent with a neutral spirit overtop plenty of pithy bitterness and toffee malt. A confusing amount of oxidation that with some sips is completely masked and in other sips is a bit distracting. I would have thought this was more than 5 years old based on the oxidation but the brightness of the orange zest makes it seem younger.
 
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2012 Duck Rabbit is highly oxidized..almost undrinkable
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2009 Old Horizontal is highly oxidized yet somewhat enjoyable
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2011 Doggie is a big yeasty Christmas tree
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2012 Blithering Idiot is drinking good. Lots of candy sugar, nice amount of booze
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2009 Horn Dog. Light oxidation, some cotton candy with lots of caramel
 
2011 Fremont Bourbon Abomb

e0bcc3da4a8e9b1ecc325d191d5be814_640x640.jpg


Opened my last bottle of 2011 Fremont B-bomb tonight.

Barrel notes are almost non existent at this point which doesn't surprise me because this beer had a very minimal barrel presence to start with. In the time it has laid down it has opened up into more of a true old ale. Big hits of tobacco and leather with a touch of sherry and oxidation which is a compliment IMO.

I found it to be quite enjoyable but if your looking for a stronger barrel presence you are going to leave disappointed. I prefer this beer fresher but it was fun to watch this beer change over the last couple of years. If nothing else it has reconfirmed my belief in drinking the barrel aged stuff sooner than later.


Is that the same Old Bridge Rider we IP'd for in the background? Drink up!
 
I opened up a 2011 Maple Fayston Imperial Stout last weekend. Thought it was absolutely fabulous. It was like eating warm brownies with every sip. Zero bitterness, cloyingly sweet, not maple forward. It was good fresh, but this was fantastic and will probably wait two years on this brew from now on.
 
2009 Stone Imperial Russian Stout

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Still a classic cellar player in my book. Cheap to set away and improves significantly for my pallet.

Hops have completely fallen off. Big chocolate malt and dark fruit notes in the nose. Taste follows suit. Carbonation was perfect and there are no signs of oxidation yet. I love this beer in that 3-5 year range and this did not disappoint.
 
Batch #84
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Adam from 2011ish? Such an amazing beer. Lot's of batch variation with HotD but when it's good it's tough to beat.

This is a great batch. Tons of tobacco and leather. Like Ron Swanson levels of leather bound books. Creamy and silky from perfect carbonation.

Adam will continue to be a staple in my cellar for moments like this. Damn near perfect Old Ale.
 
2009 Stone Imperial Russian Stout

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Still a classic cellar player in my book. Cheap to set away and improves significantly for my pallet.

Hops have completely fallen off. Big chocolate malt and dark fruit notes in the nose. Taste follows suit. Carbonation was perfect and there are no signs of oxidation yet. I love this beer in that 3-5 year range and this did not disappoint.

Nice, I hung on to a few of the 2012 and 2013 thinking they would be nice if I stashed them away for a few years. Any reason to think the Espresso 2013 won't hold up as well? I know people feel the coffee fades over time, so maybe go after those sooner than later?
 
Nice, I hung on to a few of the 2012 and 2013 thinking they would be nice if I stashed them away for a few years. Any reason to think the Espresso 2013 won't hold up as well? I know people feel the coffee fades over time, so maybe go after those sooner than later?
I always drink my coffee forward beers sooner than later. Coffee flavors get stale and unappealing with time IMO.
 
Batch #84
20e5893768be23bccb6eae535e09c2c1_640x640.jpg


Adam from 2011ish? Such an amazing beer. Lot's of batch variation with HotD but when it's good it's tough to beat.

This is a great batch. Tons of tobacco and leather. Like Ron Swanson levels of leather bound books. Creamy and silky from perfect carbonation.

Adam will continue to be a staple in my cellar for moments like this. Damn near perfect Old Ale.

HOTD webpage will tell you when each batch was brewed.
 
2009 Stone Imperial Russian Stout

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Still a classic cellar player in my book. Cheap to set away and improves significantly for my pallet.

Hops have completely fallen off. Big chocolate malt and dark fruit notes in the nose. Taste follows suit. Carbonation was perfect and there are no signs of oxidation yet. I love this beer in that 3-5 year range and this did not disappoint.

I tried to drink my Belgo Anise today and ended up drain pouring that *****. I hated it fresh and much more new...but, yes, older standard IRS are the ****
 
Batch #84
20e5893768be23bccb6eae535e09c2c1_640x640.jpg


Adam from 2011ish? Such an amazing beer. Lot's of batch variation with HotD but when it's good it's tough to beat.

This is a great batch. Tons of tobacco and leather. Like Ron Swanson levels of leather bound books. Creamy and silky from perfect carbonation.

Adam will continue to be a staple in my cellar for moments like this. Damn near perfect Old Ale.
Man up dawg. I expect nothing less than a HOTD tulip from a high roller!
 
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