Yo.
Let me explain this thing, OK?
This is not about cellaring or “aging” beer. I think that is mostly junk. I’m not a fan of oxidation, in general. I like having a lot of beer. That way, if the apocolypse was coming I could hole myself up in my basement and have a drunken blast while everything melted and exploded around me. That’s how I want to go…maybe with some music playing loudly too. Some sort of pop maybe, but nothing too mainstream. Kinda digging Department of Eagles lately, nice and somber with lots of layers…I know you like herringbone.
When I find something I like, I’ll get at least a few bottles of it. Mostly, it stays in my cellar simply because I haven’t yet gotten around to drinking it. If there is only one bottle that is because it is my last, or my first bottle. Sometimes I don’t get to those first bottles until long after the beer has been released and dissapeared. Oh well. I’m not going to go through and give tasting updates on a certain beer after it is one year old, two years old, etc. I wouldn’t even know how old most beers are, unless it was dated. I don’t keep a log of when I bought a certain beer. Sometimes I know, sometimes I don’t. Largely, I don’t really care. I can say a certain beer is probably a couple years old and be close enough. It doesn’t really matter, because either it will taste really good, or be too old to enjoy, or something in between.
I figure I’ll put things on here about breweries, about beers, about homebrewing, maybe about music I listen to, and whatever else I feel like putting on here. Maybe some Harold Klemp quotes. Stuff like that.
Cheers
Shot of the cellar in April 2008
For some reason, after skimming around your blog, I’m thirsty. I might have to convince Ted to part with some those beers he never drinks down in his basement.
Hey Mike. You should just tell Ted that they aren’t going to get any better than they are now…and that he’s wasting all his money if he doesn’t drink them soon, preferably with you and me! Maybe we should all get together soon for a little beer drinking?
Cheers
I did have an Oerbier last week that held up quite nicely. The Bernardus Tripel and Abt 12 were definitely past their prime, but drinkable. I’m sure at least 30% of my stock are duds, though. I’m all up for clearing out my supply soon. I’ll be in touch with some flat beers (and maybe a couple good ones). May have to dump a few.
I had an old Oerbier not too far back as well. I thought it was too sweet and boring, but I do recall you digging that Gulden Draak stuff, which is as sweet as can be. The guy I shared the Oerbier with was initially unimpressed, but then claimed he was really warming up to it. Do you have any of the Oerbier Reserva?
I could help make your old beer collection famous, Turd. Maybe I should come over and photograph it. I’m sure it would make for some good blog fodder…
No Oerbier Reserva. The Oerbier was a little sweet, but it didn’t taste past it’s prime – had enough funk to be interesting. Yes, I’m not as much into the sweet ales as I used to be. I do have some old Gulden Draak if we want to have a sweetfest – see if we can stand it.
My collection is fairly picked over and expired. You’re welcome to take a gander.
Funky? Sour? Oerbier used to be sour, and was pretty good. I’m guessing if yours was funky, it was probably an accident or slight infection over time, and not something intentional…and probably not one of the pre-1998 bottles that would have been the original sour stuff. Is it possible it is that old?
Sorry – I meant sour. Slightly horsy even. Might be considered funk by those that don’t like it. I’ve come to like sour ales more over time so I was using the term endearingly. I’ll work on refining my jargon.
I probably purchased the Oerbier within the last 4-5 years. I’ve got one more of the same age.
Nah…I knew what you meant…I was just wondering if it was sour, or just wild yeast barnyard stuff…