Store Breckinridge Christmas Ale for future?

[Sladek]

Hey all,

I've just picked up a Breckinridge (CO) 12-pack sampler up here in Mpls, consisting of:
Pale Ale
Amber Ale
Stout
Christmas Ale

So, 3 each. I love the Amber and Pale, all I've tried so far.

My question is: should I keep 1 or 2 of the Christmas Ales for next year or the year after? Keepn in mind, I have no cellar, as I live in a flat.

I ask because I know several of you cellar other Holiday Ales, so it seems that such ales are worthy of cellaring.

Can I use "cellar" as a verb?

[mookow]

It depends, and I've never had the beer in question so I really cant answer. How high is the alcohol content on this beer? Is it bottle conditioned? Describe the beer's flavor.

[Goban]

Originally posted by Sladek
Can I use "cellar" as a verb?

Of course.

[fretlessman71]

Inspired to open the one I had in the beer fridge after reading this thread... good tasty beer, if you like spiced ales. Don't think it's hoppy enough or high enough alcohol to warrant cellaring. Although I've been proven wrong before - a friend had a Fat Tire that was 3 years old, left in the back of the fridge, and he said it was sublime. Come to think of it, I ought to have saved this for a few nights from now - if the forecasters have it right (don't bet the house), we're in for a pantload of snow this week...

[Sladek]

I actually haven't drunk one yet, so I'll let you know. According to Breckenridge's website (http://www.breckbrew.com/beer/christmas.html), the beer is 7.4% alcohol by volume.

[newportstorm]

I've never had it - keep that in mind. But a dark, 7%+ Strong Ale might hold up well. I've had beers in that range hold up just fine. It can't hurt to take some notes on the fresh one you have left, toss the other one in the cellar and revisit it next holiday season to compare. You might be surprised.

but if it sucks and makes you vomit, don't blame me.

Cheers!

[jjpm74]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Inspired to open the one I had in the beer fridge after reading this thread... good tasty beer, if you like spiced ales. Don't think it's hoppy enough or high enough alcohol to warrant cellaring. Although I've been proven wrong before - a friend had a Fat Tire that was 3 years old, left in the back of the fridge, and he said it was sublime. Come to think of it, I ought to have saved this for a few nights from now - if the forecasters have it right (don't bet the house), we're in for a pantload of snow this week...

Man are you lucky. I'm heading up to northern VT this weekend to ski and their ski hills only have 17" bases at best.

The beer in question's too low in alcohol. I'm sure it can be stored in the back of a cold fridge for a season, but doubt it woud develop any character or benefit from any aging or cellaring.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by jjpm74
The beer in question's too low in alcohol. I'm sure it can be stored in the back of a cold fridge for a season, but doubt it woud develop any character or benefit from any aging or cellaring.

Well....while I prefer my SN Celebration fresh and hoppy, I can dig 'em as much as 3 years old and they clock in at 6.8% abv. And I've greatly enjoyed year-old Old Fezziwig which is a sub 6% beer. ABV% doesn't always tell the whole story. Nor do IBUs - most hoppy beers that age well have huge malt backbones to match the hoppiness.

Cheers!

[jjpm74]

Originally posted by newportstorm
Well....while I prefer my SN Celebration fresh and hoppy, I can dig 'em as much as 3 years old and they clock in at 6.8% abv. And I've greatly enjoyed year-old Old Fezziwig which is a sub 6% beer. ABV% doesn't always tell the whole story. Nor do IBUs - most hoppy beers that age well have huge malt backbones to match the hoppiness.

Cheers!

Very true. I was just generalizing. Some lower ABV beers like Raison d'etre hold up very well for a few years.

How do you store your SN Celebration? I opened a 2004 bottle last night and it tasted like a watery mess.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by jjpm74
Very true. I was just generalizing. Some lower ABV beers like Raison d'etre hold up very well for a few years.

How do you store your SN Celebration? I opened a 2004 bottle last night and it tasted like a watery mess.

I simply store them in case boxes in my dark cool cellar. 2003 was heading south this past winter - more like an ESB, but any semblance of hop flavor was fading. My last 2004 was consumed this week. Still nice, but not one that I felt like holding onto for another year after seeing what became of the 2003. I still remember my first "aged" Celebration. Never thought to age it until an uncle broke out "some beer I found in the basement". SNCA 2000 consumed in 2002. Fan-freaking-tastic.

I prefer them fresh and hoppy - within the first six months - and wasn't able/willing to save any this year.

Cheers!