lees 1988 harvest ale

[studentofbeer]

this was my first really "aged" beer--just think, i was like 7 when this beer was made.

anyway this is a couple days after drinking it so im not too detailed about it. it was interesting to sample an aged beer but i feel like this might have been a bit too long in the tooth. What was most interesting was the body--very light and oily as the yeast probably ate every last bit of fermentable sugar in there.

strong alcohol taste, but the interesting thing is you got both a beery alcohol and a more spirits-like alcohol taste out of it. The first sip I definitely felt like it tasted "old"-- not spoiled but definitely losing some of its quality, though a friend of mine who tried some the night before simply loved it. as i drank it i became more used to the uniuqe body and flavor profile and began to enjoy the rich alcoholic taste and sweetness.

nonetheless i probably wont be buying more of this beer, though i will probably seek out some less aged examples for tasting. at least now i have an idea of what happens to a beer over time and hopefully as i sample more aged beers will get an understanding of what a beer goes through as it ages.

[chazwicke]

I have several bottles from more recent years. It is always good to hear about aged beers because for most of them it is a guessing game as to when they reach thier peak. Was the spirit like alcohol flavor that of Scotch? What temperature was your sample. On these cold evenings there is nothing like a small glass of room temp ale with that scotchy, woody, alcohol flavor. Nice sipping beer.

[studentofbeer]

i served it just below room temp in a snifter and let it warm up (took me 1+ hour to drink the 9.3 oz bottle!)

more than a whiskey it was almost like a brandy or cordial with a definite sweetness that accompanied the spicy alcohol taste, though you definitely got some woodiness too-- i think the only thing that really threw me was the strangely light-feeling body. still was a lot of fun to try. i dunno what else they have in the back but there's a 2002 on the shelf i may pick up and try to age 3-5 years.

[fretlessman71]

I had a 1993 not too long ago, I think that was the year... it was VERY different than most beer that I've had! It almost went down like a sherry. Somehow I felt more refined while drinking it.... and yes, it did take me awhile. Too interesting to gulp down.

[chazwicke]

I may have to dig one out of the cellar and try it. This sounds like a nice one to drink by the fire.