Friday evening I decided to treat myself to something from the "old stuff" stash in the basement. My choice, after much deliberation, was Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Ale. This particular bottle was from the 2007 release.
The beer poured a deep reddish-brown color with a very thin beige head. The aroma was dark fruit and sweet malt. My mouth watered at the delightful aroma. The flavors of the beer continued along the path started by the aroma. Dark fruits like dates and raisons came to mind. There was a hint of molasses in the sweetness. There was almost a port aspect to the finish. After thirteen years, the bold hoppiness of "fresh" Bigfoot had faded. The mouthfeel was on the thin side, with low carbonation. Suffice it to say, I enjoyed this special libation immensely.
It's always a little bittersweet to consume one of the aged beers. But the enjoyment of the beer is usually worth it. After all, beers are meant to be enjoyed, not collected.
In looking through the stash, we have a few more bottles of pre-2010 Bigfoot stored away. Unfortunately, we didn't save any of the more "recent" vintages. This winter I plan to stock up on this and a few other beers I favor for aging, and hopefully resume the yearly stocking for enjoyment down the road.
I've never seen Bigfoot before. I wonder if it makes it east of the Mississippi.
ReplyDeleteIt's nationwide. We get it in Virginia. Bigfoot is released January- March each year. Sierra Nevada has a brewery in NC now too. Not sure what they brew there, but all my stash is California brewed.
DeleteCheers!