National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => All Grain Brewing => Topic started by: UpsidedownA (Andrew) on October 16, 2013, 07:20:49 PM

Title: Hi ABV beers need aging.
Post by: UpsidedownA (Andrew) on October 16, 2013, 07:20:49 PM
I'm having a bottle of a strong ale I brewed at least 18 months ago. It's really not that bad. It's been in the bottle all that time and, brother, it really needed that time to mellow. Initially all I could taste was bitterness and really nasty (to me) higher alcohols (winey type taste). After all this time, I'm finally getting a taste of the malt. It's a real shame I've only got a handful of bottles left. But it does go to show that sometimes you really just have to set them aside and forget about them.
Title: Re: Hi ABV beers need aging.
Post by: Eoin on October 16, 2013, 07:30:22 PM
What percentage is it Andrew?

Sent from my HTC One

Title: Re: Hi ABV beers need aging.
Post by: Padraic on October 17, 2013, 08:15:11 AM
With the exception of a DIPA I have to agree 100%.

Even the ones that taste great when young, taste much better a couple of years down the line. Quads are definitely better aged...
Title: Re: Hi ABV beers need aging.
Post by: UpsidedownA (Andrew) on October 17, 2013, 12:44:52 PM
Quote from: Eoin on October 16, 2013, 07:30:22 PM
What percentage is it Andrew?

Sent from my HTC One

I'm not sure exactly because I'm on a different notebook from when I brewed it (and by 'notebook' I mean a pen and paper job), but I remember it being up around 9%.
Title: Re: Hi ABV beers need aging.
Post by: Jonnycheech on October 20, 2013, 08:43:49 AM
Interesting article here on bottle aging from Zythophile which you may find interesting Andrew.

http://zythophile.wordpress.com/2011/03/18/bottle-ageing-beers-the-donts-and-dos/
Title: Re: Hi ABV beers need aging.
Post by: RichC on October 31, 2013, 07:33:13 PM
The only high ABV beers I make are IPAs or accidents. Recently had quad by these guys and it was amazing despite the high alcohol http://www.bdbrewing.com/Beers/BarrelAgedDroughts/TheTwelveQuad.aspx
Must brew up a quad or a RIS or something that lends itself to long ageing
Title: Re: Hi ABV beers need aging.
Post by: UpsidedownA (Andrew) on November 03, 2013, 06:57:57 AM
Quote from: johnnycheech on October 20, 2013, 08:43:49 AM
Interesting article here on bottle aging from Zythophile which you may find interesting Andrew.

http://zythophile.wordpress.com/2011/03/18/bottle-ageing-beers-the-donts-and-dos/
Thanks for linking to that. It was great. That site is a real goldmine.