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Loading ...February/March 2012 | The Variety Pack
Comparison of a 2000 Brooklyn Monster with a 2011 Brooklyn Monster.
Reminiscing about my fascination with beer and my love for anything new, I couldn’t help but recall my first encounter with barley wine. The year was 2000, and my best friend and I purchased a case of Brooklyn Monster Ale. I remember the excitement surrounding the possibility of not only trying it, but knowing we could cellar it, and reap the rewards many years later.
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Comparing a 2006 and 2010 Italian sour, Panil Barriquée.
With the seasons quickly changing and the festive spirits rapidly rising, the motivation to compare something fun and different seemed intriguing. The perfect style of beer to fit these parameters seemed to me, a sour; an Italian sour to be exact. Read more…
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Seldom seen, almost mythical and downright awesome.
I’m not talking about tracking down Sasquatch (or spotting Beer Scene’s Mat Falco). I’m referring to vertically tasting 14 consecutive years of one of the best American strong ales, Sierra Nevada’s BigFoot. BigFoot is a barley-wine style ale, usually released in January and February. Barley-wines are one of the strongest ales, ranging from 8% to 12% ABV or more. A brew of this strength and complexity can be a challenge to the novice palate. They are usually very sweet and have fruit-like flavors due to an overpowering maltiness, especially the American styles, which tend to be even more extreme in both, malt complexity and hop character. They are also one of the few styles of beer that respond positively to aging, given the proper conditions. Read more…
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Experience the remarkable cellaring of Delirium Nocturnum.
In today’s society, we are surrounded and obsessed with symbols; everything from the golden arches to multi-colored swooshes, polo figures to interlocking backward Cs. The beer world is no different. The pink elephant of Huyghe Brewery has become synonymous with excellence. Delirium is a staple in an ever-growing world of top notch beer. Read more…
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A cellared 2007 and 2010 Ommegang Three Philosophers yields an authentic Belgian flavor.
Being able to cellar a beer for any length of time can be a daunting and oftentimes, tantalizing task. Whether it be an issue of space or just pure impatience, letting that special bottle age six to ten years is not always feasible. This issue, I’ve chosen to compare an Ommegang Three Philosophers 2007 with a Three Philosophers from 2010. Not every beer that you choose to cellar needs to age six or more years to get the most out of it. And, Three Philosophers, in particular, brought out every quality and characteristic of a ten year aged Belgian beer after only 3 to 4 years. Read more…
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Indulge in the highly palatable cellaring characteristics of Liefmans Kriek.
In keeping with the tradition of a cellared theme, it seemed only fitting that I review a beer that has already been aged one year before it is distributed to retailers and consumers. Liefmans Kriek is just that beer. Brewed with cherries, which are harvested once a year in July, this Kriek has all the qualities and properties for perfect cellaring.
This issue’s comparison focuses on a 2010 Liefmans Kriek and a 2007 Kriek. While the packaging on the 2010 is completely new and revamped, it is still the same product. Liefmans was thought to have gone out of business last year, until Duvel bought them out. The Kriek as we knew it, is now called Cuvee-Brut. Read more…
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This month’s featured comparison is a cellered 2002 St. Bernardus Abt 12 and a 2010 St. Bernardus Abt 12.
Cellaring beer is not an art. There are no guarantees, no matter how many precautions you take. But, the rewards greatly outweigh the risks. Choosing a particular beer for each issue is a daunting task. With so many styles, and even more flavors, I’m forced to ask myself which beers will have reader appeal and why? More importantly, will these beers be available to those who read this article? Read more…
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Comparing a 2000 to a 2009 Samichlaus.
Deciding which beers to compare is always a tough choice. This article was no exception. In the spirit of the upcoming holiday season, I thought it wise to choose a beer that best exemplified tradition and brewing significance. Samichlaus, at one point in time, before Brewdog and Schorschbrau, held the record for world’s strongest beer at 14% ABV. It is brewed only one day a year, December 6th, and then aged for 10 months. Read more…
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A 1998 Rochefort 10 and a 2010 Rochefort 10.
As I prepared for this month’s tasting, it only took a moment to realize I had the greatest job in the world. Not only do I get to try some of the best beer the world has to offer, I get to share it with you. I am able to provide a blueprint to cellar, and later enjoy, all the benefits aging beer can provide.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...August/September 2010 | The Variety Pack
Saison Dupont 2009 and a vintage Saison Dupont 2002.
With summer upon us and a recent near record heat wave, it’s only fitting that my quest for the next vintage comparison lead me to Saison Dupont. While this particular beer has not been a favorite of mine, it’s time to revisit what many have called the quintessential saison. There has been a lot written lately about the complexity and overall quality of this beer. For this issue, I will be comparing a 2009 Saison Dupont, with a 2002 vintage.
