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Beer Break Vol. 2, No. 9
That time of year - laying down beer
Dec. 6, 2001
As our beer cellar/fridge starts to fill with holiday beers, many of them
relatively high in alcohol content, we can't help be think about saving a few
for months or even years down the road. We've discussed the subject of laying
down beer before
in Beer Break.
Now Michael Jackson checks in on the subject, most particularly those beers
suitable for cellaring.
Jackson advises against refrigerating beers meant to mature, but people who
live in apartments, houses without basements or warm climates find they are
better off using a beer refrigerator to simulate a cellar. Check the archives for more than that.
One more of the holidays
When we wrote last week about interesting beer-related presents for the
holidays we wish we'd included the beer bottle organ that Stephen Beaumont of
World of Beer came across. He writes: "Okay, so it might seem like a joke,
but it's not. The Peterson Beer Bottle Organ (BBO) really exists. The product
of an organ-building company from the South Side of Chicago, the Peterson BBO
makes music by blowing air over beer bottles filled to various levels with
mineral oil. It can be played by keyboard, or if you prefer, by hooking it up
to a midi player."
Tasting notes
SHEPHERD NEAME CHRISTMAS ALE
Brewed by Shepherd Neame in England
Michael Jackson writes:
A varietal beer this year (all First Gold hops). Deep orange color. Big,
earthy, English hop aroma. Firm, oily, creamy, body. Big, toasted-malt,
flavours, developing estery notes reminiscent of vanilla, raspberries and
Seville orange. A very wintry breakfast beer?
HIBERNATION ALE
Brewed by Great Divide in Denver
Real Beer tasting notes:
In the style of an English Old Ale -- chewy, warming, spicy hop finish.
Wonderfully balanced. Chocolate aroma and chocolate tones throughout, with a
tasty caramel middle. At 8.1% abv, definitely a beer worthy of cellaring.
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