Time. For the most part beer’s enemy is time, specially for a beer with only 4.5%. But in 2000, as I’ve mentioned a few times, I clearly remember having a Burton Bridge Porter that was overwhelmingly bitter and pleasantly foul due no doubt to its utter mishandling and disregard. Some time ago I resolved to recreate the effect through the powers of experiment and stuck away two bottles for aging. Tonight, I pop the older of the two, this one carrying a best before date of December 2006 to see what is what.
Findings? The bottle pops with a merry pffftt! and gives off a little of the aroma of an East India sherry. The cream head quickly dissipates to a floating froth. In the mouth, the beer is more watery than a fresh bottle but pleasant enough though sadly not soured. There is a Orval quality to the bittering hops, lacy and lavender-ish, with some residual milk chocolate but none of the roasti-toastiness.
Verdict? Pretty much an entire waste of the effort which went into this experiment except for the fact that it really cost me nothing in terms of time, money or energy. It is somewhat impressive that it was so stable as to be more than drinkable. I am, however, not that impressed with stability as a general thing.
[Original comments…]
brodie – January 9, 2009 10:28 AM
I understand the intent of the experiment, I think, was to produce somehow and undesirable effect (souring) that you find desirable. I’m interested in other reports like this with ales that are intended for aging however. I have received several bottles as gifts over the years that while they were perfectly fine to drink at the date of sale had some indication on the bottle or packaging suggesting that they could be aged. A few that come to mind are Fullers Vintage, Thomas Hardy and Mill Street’s Barley wine. I’ve never had the patience to do this and drunk them almost immediately. Very curious to read your review of any of these after aging. Cheers.
Alan – January 9, 2009 11:41 AM
Well, I have Fullers Vintage bottles from 2005-2008 and intend to pop them all this winter. If I can find older on my travels, I’ll add those too.
Alan – February 27, 2009 6:33 PM
The 2007 version is a little different. Huge rocky head, a bit more of the roast and hop. Very nice. So the verdict on this off the cuff one bottle test is cellar for a year but no more.