Cellared Beer Reviews: November

[barleywinefiend]

This magnificent specimen from 2009 is drinking incredibly well. At cellar temp it has a light funk to it but I'm guessing that is from natural barrel bugs; not infected. As it warms to room temp it really came alive. More milk chocolate came out, vanilla and wood. A little sting left but not much. It was very creamy and full bodied. This is one of those classics that is well worth the modest price tag.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

Opened a 2012 Speedway and a 2012 Tjoes Vintage this weekend.

The Speedway was pretty good, though the coffee had def faded, and had more of a cappuccino feel to it than reg coffee. Didn't seem as full bodied, creamy, or chocolate forward as fresh but still enjoyable. Overall, it's one of my favorite stouts and was't expecting a miracle just wanted to try an aged one for Science. Solid, but wouldn't age again. Better Fresh.

Tjoes- awful. Straight DP after 2 sips. Like drinking coke that sat out in a solo cup overnight. After reading people say this one ages well, I expected it to be better. However, taking a marginal quad and aging it doesn't mean it gets less marginal. Not worth the price of sobriety.

 

[Treebs]

We did a side by side of 2008 vs. 2014 Darkness.



2008 had some oxidation in the nose, but the taste was pretty solid with very minimal oxidation. Slight cardboard, but mostly some umami. A little ashy, some chocolate and a little dry roast. The hops are completely gone from this guy, but it was still holding up. Obviously its best days are behind so I wouldn't sit on it if you have one.

 

[LSMroz]

3rd time I've has this. Personally I think it's starting to decline. But I loved the boozy sweetness on it fairly fresh.

Forgot to post last month.
2012 was my favorite. Some nice dark fruits, balanced roast and smooth drinking.
In order: 2012-2011-2010-2014-2013

'13 was not drinking well.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

I can attest to 13 not drinking great. I thought the same thing when I had it fresh. Worst Parabola I've had to date.

 

[Aaron from the Wood]

2013 Backwoods Bastard

Dark brown pour with a small tan-colored head - looks thick and creamy. The aroma from the bottle is pure bourbon, but poured into my glass it is subdued, while still having a delicious barrel aroma. Vanilla, caramel, brown bread. Not as aromatic as fresh. It tastes very oaky - more so than I remember, and it's definitely lost some of its bourbon character. It also feels a bit thin. The sweet maltiness and heat is still there but it just doesn't pack the same punch as it used to. Still good, but I really prefer this fresh.

 

[stakem1]

This magnificent specimen from 2009 is drinking incredibly well. At cellar temp it has a light funk to it but I'm guessing that is from natural barrel bugs; not infected. As it warms to room temp it really came alive. More milk chocolate came out, vanilla and wood. A little sting left but not much. It was very creamy and full bodied. This is one of those classics that is well worth the modest price tag.

I got a semi reading this. I have a 2008 and 2009 I was contemplating popping in tandem this weekend when some friends stop in.

 

[Treebs]

Got to tick two old Tomes on Sunday.

93 Automne and 95 Loch Ness

Tasting notes are hard to describe for these. The Loch Ness was definitely the worst of the two. Heavy oxidation with cardboard and some sherry notes. Sort of a rotten grape thing going on.

The Automne was pretty awesome though for its age. Subtle tartness and funk. Oxidation in the nose, but not too much in the taste. Interesting beers for sure.

 

[barleywinefiend]

This sexy beast is like liquid gold. It's still very sweet with lots of brown sugar, caramel and fruits.
A very light oxidation to it initially but it tends to fade as it warmed. This one of the best drinks I have had in quite some time.

 

[barleywinefiend]

2007 Monster Ale was going strong. Zero oxidation just loots of sweetness and fruits.
2007 3 Guys was on it's way down. A light oxidation but still sweet with a little heat. Not a bad drink though.
2012 Thumbprint is drinking extremely well. It's still got the heat and the citrus is alive and kicking. My favorite of the three.

 

[barleywinefiend]

2011 Gueze.
Well, it's full of hay, horse blanket and lemons. Extremely dry and crisp.

 

[barleywinefiend]

2013 Baby Maker.
This pre-toddler just turned one. It packs a sweet boozy punch with lots of vanilla and bourbon. It reminded me of RISGOOP as it warmed up. Lots of vanilla, it became pretty cloying on the end with a lot of stickiness, syrupy and vanilla. It's not as boozey as I expected though.

 

[barleywinefiend]

2010 Old Guardian. Lots of bread, caramel and citrus on the nose. A big bready taste with a mix of citrus and caramel on the taste. It still has a little booze kick to it but overall, very good.

 

[Johnnyhitch11]

2013 Baby Maker.
This pre-toddler just turned one. It packs a sweet boozy punch with lots of vanilla and bourbon. It reminded me of RISGOOP as it warmed up. Lots of vanilla, it became pretty cloying on the end with a lot of stickiness, syrupy and vanilla. It's not as boozey as I expected though.

Just tossed one in the fridge!

 

[CruisaC]

2013 Baby Maker.
This pre-toddler just turned one. It packs a sweet boozy punch with lots of vanilla and bourbon. It reminded me of RISGOOP as it warmed up. Lots of vanilla, it became pretty cloying on the end with a lot of stickiness, syrupy and vanilla. It's not as boozey as I expected though.

I had like 3 all semi fresh, and thought it was a bit one-noted and really boozy. Glad to hear it's gotten better, but I'm all out. Oh well

 

[CruisaC]

Decided to pop this on a whim as I figured it wasn't getting any better. A fair bit of raisin and cardboard with a hint of tartness on the finish. A little watery as well, for 9.5% at least. Not terrible, but there are probably few beers that should be cellared for 8+ years, and a doppelbock isn't likely one of them.

 

[barleywinefiend]

KDS vertical (2012-2014 + variants)
2012: Mouthfeel was a bit thin
2013: Lots of chocolate oats, nice full body, a bit of vanilla
2014: Lots of chocolate, oats and smooth bourbon, a nice roasted barley bitterness

That damn Coffee KDS is amazingly good!

 

[barleywinefiend]

1995 Adam Batch 6: Freaking amazing. Almonds, smoke, chocolate and leather. No oxidation at all. Flawless!
2004 Doggie Claws: It still tastes like a sugar coated Christmas tree to me. Ten years and it has zero flaws. Delightful.

 

[stxSS07]

KDS vertical (2012-2014 + variants)
2012: Mouthfeel was a bit thin
2013: Lots of chocolate oats, nice full body, a bit of vanilla
2014: Lots of chocolate, oats and smooth bourbon, a nice roasted barley bitterness

That damn Coffee KDS is amazingly good!

Dat view!

 

[harrymel1]

Dat view!

PNW coast. It's good.

Having a 2013 Abyss right now. Tastes ****ed up. Astringent, overly bitter and tannic. Reminds me of the early tones the '09 had.

Disclaimer: I would be really surprised if the beer is infected given the addition of flash-pasteur and whatnot, but it's not what I expect from the beer.

 

[Podunkparte]

PNW coast. It's good.

Having a 2013 Abyss right now. Tastes ****ed up. Astringent, overly bitter and tannic. Reminds me of the early tones the '09 had.

Disclaimer: I would be really surprised if the beer is infected given the addition of flash-pasteur and whatnot, but it's not what I expect from the beer.

Nah, '13 Abyss isn't infected, it's just ****

ISO: the 2010 recipe again

 

[harrymel1]

Nah, '13 Abyss isn't infected, it's just ****

ISO: the 2010 recipe again

2011 has been drinking well over the last few months.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

Even Abyss 2012 was good I thought.

 

[bdogg1]

Nah, '13 Abyss isn't infected, it's just ****

ISO: the 2010 recipe again

I have a bottle of 10. I was waiting to find some one that needed it for a vertical but it sounds like I need to drink that goodness

 

[LSMroz]

Had 2012 before with a year on it and wasn't really impressed. This is drinking very well. Like it better than the 2013 Sucaba I had a month or so ago.

 

[barleywinefiend]

Had 2012 before with a year on it and wasn't really impressed. This is drinking very well. Like it better than the 2013 Sucaba I had a month or so ago.

These are aging so well. My last 2012 had sooo much vanilla and toffee...amazing.

 

[LSMroz]

Not amazing, but not garbage like everyone says.

It tastes like a boozy, syrupy, 2 year old Bigfoot. So yeah I kinda like it.

 

[barleywinefiend]

Not amazing, but not garbage like everyone says.

It tastes like a boozy, syrupy, 2 year old Bigfoot. So yeah I kinda like it.

Good. I have a few hanging out.

 

[barleywinefiend]

It tasted like a big ol' citrus bursting American Barleywine should.
The hops had faded a bit, body was nice, carbonation was good. A little syrupy and bready. Very nice to drink but, like Hog Heaven, teeters on Imperial IPA.

 

[barleywinefiend]

Only a year old...still drinking like a champ of course.

 

[barleywinefiend]

Still drinking decent. I'm not so sure this beer is falling off or the amount of beer we have rivaling this since 2010 has gotten that much better.
Anyhow, lots of tartness, lacto, cherries and wood. No carbonation, infection or oxidation problems.
Tastes like, well, you know...Dissident.

 

[barleywinefiend]

This thing still has legs. Mine was drinking magnificent.
Lots of wood, dark fruits and chocolate with hints of vanilla.
Booze is fading a bit as is the roastiness I remember from this beer back upon release.
No oxidation on this particular bottle. My only feeling was that the mouthfeel has thinned out a wee bit.