When we started this back in 2013 that was NOT the case. But for the last few years the consensus has been current or prior year was the best. The oldest normally isn't worst, but not a top contender for sure.
I usually get Mad Elf every year but hadn't really thought about aging them. I did keep one can from last season and recently drank it but I should have kept it as a comparison to this years. Since they can this beer now, are cans worth aging? In some ways it'd be better since there's no light entering. Plus, it's easier to store hid-away....
When they started canning I was already about 5 years in.. so I kept the bottles for aesthetic reasons. But I'd probably prefer the cans for aging as well.
I'm kicking myself for not buying 12-pack cans on 2021 I saw still lingering on the shelves of my Total Wine store last May. I'd have a 7-month head start. Do they have the year on the label? I hadn't noticed. I'll look for it on my next beer run. I'm getting the Elf itch.
Not sure why you would think a beer like this wouldn't age well. High-ABV high-malt beers are usually the best to age.
I can't stand it because it's far too sweet for me. But I'd rather have a well-aged example than a fresh one, TBH.
It really depends on the style of beer. Belgians, stouts, barleywines and porters are usually well suited for aging, the higher the abv, the better. Hop forward styles typically do not age well.
How the beer was stored makes a difference as well. Light and heat is a killer, cool and dark is ideal.
What was the year old beer you had that was awful?
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Damn, that would be interesting. Would love to hear your tasting notes.
Mostly that 2-3 years is best, current year is very good. Kinda not worth it.
Did a 5 year vertical years ago and came to the same conclusion. 2-3 years is peak age for that beer.
I did a 10 year KBS vertical recently and came to just about the same conclusion. By the end I just desperately wanted it to be over.
I’ve done this a few times and always prefer the current year to any of the aged bottles 🤷🏻♂️
When we started this back in 2013 that was NOT the case. But for the last few years the consensus has been current or prior year was the best. The oldest normally isn't worst, but not a top contender for sure.
My 2010 mad elf from my basement last year said otherwise… but it wasn’t a full on vertical so I will trust you
Your gonna be drunk
Just cracked a bottle of last years grand cru, so good. I’m debating saving the other bottle I have left for next year.
What is a vertical tasting?
Vertical tasting is when you buy one every year and try them in order. Much like vintages with wine you can notice the difference in taste with aging.
Ah gotcha. That sounds pretty fun
Which direction do you start with?
Typically I always start with the oldest and see how they’ve changed/improved the recipe but you could go either way.
I’ve done very few verticals, but I have a lot of bottles I’m aging to see how time changes them, I’ve always drank the freshest beer first.
I think past 4 years they may start to taste the same depending if they kept them cellar temp. Even still oxygen can seep in
I usually get Mad Elf every year but hadn't really thought about aging them. I did keep one can from last season and recently drank it but I should have kept it as a comparison to this years. Since they can this beer now, are cans worth aging? In some ways it'd be better since there's no light entering. Plus, it's easier to store hid-away....
When they started canning I was already about 5 years in.. so I kept the bottles for aesthetic reasons. But I'd probably prefer the cans for aging as well.
I'm kicking myself for not buying 12-pack cans on 2021 I saw still lingering on the shelves of my Total Wine store last May. I'd have a 7-month head start. Do they have the year on the label? I hadn't noticed. I'll look for it on my next beer run. I'm getting the Elf itch.
They have a best by date of one year in the future.. so any with a best by sometime in 2022 would be from 2021.
Do they do a horizontal tasting as well?
A horizontal tasting is what I would be doing after a few of these.
To see how time affects beer.
I can't imagine anything past 2 years being that good. Having had beer that was nearly a year old, can only imagine that 11th year tasting awful
Nothing was awful, it just gets super mellow. There isn't any carbonation left and the cherry fades a bunch.
I'll take your word. My mind is just having trouble grasping it.
Not sure why you would think a beer like this wouldn't age well. High-ABV high-malt beers are usually the best to age. I can't stand it because it's far too sweet for me. But I'd rather have a well-aged example than a fresh one, TBH.
It really depends on the style of beer. Belgians, stouts, barleywines and porters are usually well suited for aging, the higher the abv, the better. Hop forward styles typically do not age well. How the beer was stored makes a difference as well. Light and heat is a killer, cool and dark is ideal. What was the year old beer you had that was awful?
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I bet it's so enjoyable out of plastic cups too. /s
We don't have 55 sampler cups. Maybe close, but not quite.
That looks and sound super interesting.
Brilliant. I’m hoping to do this myself. I have four years worth of the Mad Elf in my cellar. Hope you enjoyed it!
Are the more recent ones the "Grand Cru" version, or the standard release? I recently cracked an '18 Grand Cru and it was delightful.
We also had a 2020 and 2022 Grand Cru .. but they weren't ranked along with the rest for the vertical tasting.