Last Friday I had the pleasure of joining my fellow beer lovers for an extraordinary event at Jungle Jim’s. Stone Brewery from San Diego, California was nice enough to literally bring from their cellar the last cases of some vintage brews they had been allowing to age. On the table were twelve great beers to sample.
- Russian Imperial Stout 2006 – 10.8%
- Russian Imperial Stout 2007 – 10.8%
- Russian Imperial Stout 2008 – 10.5%
- 12th Anniversary – 9.8%
- 11th Anniversary – 8.7%
- Sublimely Self Righteous – 8.7%
- Cali Belgique – 6.9%
- Double Bastard Ale 2006 – 10.0%
- Double Bastard Ale 2007 – 10.0%
- Old Guardian 2007 (barley wine) – 11.26%
- Old Guardian 2008 (barley wine) – 11.26%
- Old Guardian 2009 (barley wine) – 11.3%
I could keep this really short by just saying every single one was fantastic, but I assume you want a few more details. First, you will notice that they are all high in alcohol – although we each only had a sample (as opposed to a complete pint) the tasting group were all a little tipsy by the end of the night.
Not all beers will age well, but this tasting proves that Stone beers do. Beers that would normally be hoppy mellow (in a good way) through the years with a wonderful melding of flavors. The first beer we tasted was a the 2006 Russian Imperial Stout turned out to be one of the best beers I have ever had – mellow, sweet, rich and awesome. Go buy a bottle of this years and stuff it in your basement for a few years – you will not be disappointed. The 2007 was a little more hoppy (but still excellent), with the 2009 noticably hoppier – the extra year made all the difference.
The anniversary offerings, as well as the self Rightious were some of my least favorite, as they were all very hoppy – with the 12th having a bitter coffee taste. Keep in mind these are the least favorite from an excellent collection – these just had too much competition.
The Cali Belgique was the most interesting – a Belgian IPA would be the easiest way to describe it. Although I am not so much for the hops, the combination of Belgian yeast within an IPA was genius. My kind of IPA.
We finished with a double of the Double Bastard and then a trio of Old Guardian barley wines. The Double Bastard is a darn good ale to start with, but let it age a few years and you have a perfect blending yielding one of the best ale’s anywhere. But… they were topped by the barley wine. I have never been a big fan of Old Guardian (although barley wines are a personal favorite) – as it was always far to bitter for a barley. But the 2007 really surprised me. What a difference a few years aging can make, taking the Old Guardian from a decent brew to a nearly perfect barley wine. If you like barley wine, go out and grab some of this years and let it age three to five years.
Thanks to Jungle Jims for arranging and hosting, and to Stone for bringing out some rare beers.
PS, see you all next month at Jungle Jim’s Spring Beerfest – over 50 brewers have already committed – get your tickets now.