Before we release the 2017 lineup of Dark Charge Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stouts, we wanted to break into the cellar and see how our 2016 variants are aging. Our brewing team sat down with the full 2016 lineup to evaluate whether or not they believe you should keep cellaring or break into those bottles. It’s tough work but hey, someone has to do it. Below, we’ve summarized their findings and recommendations. Read on to learn more about the 2016 lineup and the science behind cellaring.
JOIN THE 2017 WINTER BLOCK PARTY & DARK CHARGE RELEASE HERE
23 Bourbon Maple
Aroma: Maple, Molasses, Oak, Alcohol
Flavor: Roasty, Caramel up front, Umami
Overall Impression: Extremely Sweet, Maple and Barrel Characteristics dominate the flavor with a sharp roasty finish.
Drink Now or Cellar: Good to drink now, but will likely not degrade in quality.
Vanilla
Aroma: Rich Vanilla, Dessert-like(Cake), Vanilla accentuates the bourbon/oak character
Flavor: Warming but not hot, Rich Vanilla, Bourbon, slight hint of cocoa
Overall Impression: Delicious and Rich
Drink Now or Cellar Longer: Drink Now, but the vanilla does not seem to be fading
Coffee
Aroma: Coffee is degrading, green peppers
Flavor: Peppery, unroasted coffee
Overall Impression: Past its prime
Drink Now or Cellar Longer: Drink now!
Coconut
Aroma: Coconut has mellowed but still very present, light rum spices(not rum), softwood(Cedar)
Flavor: Milder and more balanced Coconut, warm
Overall Impressions: Coconut is reduced, Great mouthfeel.
Drink Now or Cellar Longer: Drink Now!
Molé
Aroma: Lots of Cinnamon, Peppery Smoke, Hint of Chocolate.
Flavor: Slight heat in the finish, Cinnamon mid-palate, Vanilla rounds out the finish
Overall: As delicious as day one.
Drink Now or Cellar Longer: Great Now, but flavors will continue to meld if cellared longer.
Bourbon Barrel-Aged
Aroma: Soft Bourbon, Vanilla, Caramel, Chocolate
Flavor: Faint notes of Coffee, Warm, Bourbon, Chocolate
Overall: Very smooth, Delicious
Drink Now or Cellar Longer: This beer will continue to improve with cellaring.
When you purchase your 2017 bottles, the first thing we want you to understand is that your Dark Charge is ready to drink right now if you choose. Many craft beer lovers believe that “big beers” like these high ABV Stouts are better if aged. Others subscribe to the theory that all beer is best consumed fresh. If you choose the freshness route, just know that your Dark Charge was bottled just days prior to its release – it is at the pinnacle of freshness.
Storing your Dark Charge for later (cellaring) is largely a personal journey and a perfectly acceptable practice in the craft beer experience. However, cellaring offers no guarantees that the beer will be any better than when it was fresh. But if you choose to cellar your Dark Charge, we’d like to give you a few helpful tips to help ensure the highest quality possible:
- Beer Style: Craft beers over 7 percent ABV with strong flavors tend to handle age better than others. Dark Charge fits this category. *Light – Ultraviolet light reacts with compounds in beer to develop the dreaded skunky character. Keep your Dark Charge in the dark.
- Temperature: Warmer temperatures speed up the effects of aging. Keep beers cool when aging, we recommend temperatures around 55 degrees. Always avoid drastic and repeated temperature changes.
- Movement: Agitation contributes to effects of oxidation and age. Most people cellar their bottles standing upright which helps any sediment to fall to the bottom naturally. While this works fine, if you have the space, consider storing your Dark Charge inverted or angled to avoid air ingress.
Three months after the Dark Charge release our brewing team will be releasing their first tasting notes which will provide a broad and complete assessment of flavor profile changes that they have noticed in the bottles that they are aging. This additional information may aid in your decision making as to when to drink it. When you reach the point in time when you are ready to consume your Dark Charge, we highly recommend chilling upright in the refrigerator for 48 hours.
Whether you choose to enjoy your Dark Charge immediately or plan to cellar it, just know that we truly appreciate your purchase and hope that you enjoy this beer as much as we did making it for you. And as always, remember to “lift one to life!”
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