Over the years I have neglected my modest beer cellar to the point that I have lost track of what I have. Commercial brews, some that I intended to save and age a bit, others I planned on trading to other beer nerds. Homebrews that weren’t that great but couldn’t bring myself to throw out (not that they weren’t likely to get any better sitting in my basement for a year or more) and other odds and ends.
I recorded everything I found on a simple spreadsheet and came a cross a few gems that I was pleasantly surprised by, and lots others…not so much. For instance, a 2004 Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine. Legendary for how it ages gracefully, and a Sam Adams Cranberry Lambic that also is legendary…for how terrible when it was new…over 5 years ago.
Part of this organizational “shake-down” is to throw out some losers, drink some tweeners and continue saving the gems. this Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Ale is of unknown vintage but probably around 2005 as that was when I was at my peak of buying regional brews for trades and cellaring.
RateBeer lists it as a “Spice/Herb/Vegetable” beer meaning it has some unusual flavorings that can be anything from Coriander, to Spruce tips.
It opens with a disappointingly subtle “hiss”, I hope it has not last much of its intended carbonation. Pours a slightly hazy moderate to light mahogany with a distinctly yellowish tan head. Aroma is a very nice malty caramel with some cinnamon and milk chocolate. Actually very nice. If there was any hoppiness when it was fresh, it is long gone now. Flavor is not unpleasant, remember my expectations are far from lofty here. Soft fairly sweet malt flavors, a little woody and earthy some very mild notes of apple-butter and caramel. Carbonation is moderate and likely at the intended level. Finishes with a slight brown paper bag that may be due to the accumulated oxidation that had to have been taking place while it sat on my shelf in the basement since G.W. was re-elected.
All in all, not that bad considering the deck that was stacked against it. I’ll probably finish it, and move on to the next mystery.
