How-To: Age Beer

Like wine, most beer is produced with the expectation it will be drunk right away. People talk about aged wine, but it's special bottles, only, that can hold up beyond 1 or 2 years in storage. With wine, aging when you're not supposed to results in "flat" or less flavor-ful wine: it loses it's "spark" in the same way an expired can of soda does. 

In the vernacular of beer, there is even a word for beer that has been too long in the bottle, and who's flavor has changed for the worse because of it: skunky. So, don't try this at home: most beers won't benefit from the aging process! 

But like wine, a beer crafted for the express purpose of aging, full of big, bold flavors and high alcohol content can be kept for an extended period of time, and cellaring can often improve the flavor, creating to a smoother, balanced beer. And, like wine, an age-able beer needs to be stored in a cool, dark place to allow it to age without negative effects from too much light or temperature changes.

Specially crafted beers can be found at the more diverse beer distributors and specialty shops. Online communities exist to help figure out which beers will hold up to aging, share general knowledge, and trade bottles to experiment with or experience the results. Your local grocery store brands are probably not up to the aging process... our hope is to show that there are brewers out there who are having fun creating something more complex that you can hold on to--for a while.

To age or not to age? Ask when you purchase your wine or beer if you're not sure but want something you can keep for the long run.

Quick Review: Benmarl Winery Slate Hill Red

US, NY, Hudson Valley, Benmarl Winery, Slate Hill Red 2011

++ // Spicy-Smooth // Leather, Dried Cherry // Earth, Pepper, Tobacco, a hint of Cherry // Light-Medium

Made from Long Island grapes, this was a very light red, especially for the flavor profile. The flavors were light and powerful, and could hold up to being served slightly chilled. An excellent, versatile table wine.

A humid day means our slightly chilled Slate Hill Red "sweats" a bit.

Did You Know?... About Sourced Beers

Taking note of the idea of terrior and Estate vineyards from the world of wine, some microbrews, like Chatoe Rouge, are beginning to embrace the idea of explaining where the their hops and barley come from. While this is a new concept, and there isn't as much of a knowledge base of beer drinkers that can fully interpret what it means, it shows a growing appreciation of the ingredients that comprise the craft of beer making.

Quick Review: Chatoe Rogue OREgasmic Ale

Chatoe Rogue OREgasmic Ale (NV)

++ // Spicy // Cloves, Flowers, Herbs // Cloves, Herbs // Medium

Heavier bodied and less hoppy than expected from an Ale.

Beer in Providence: English Cellar Alehouse

Tina made a recent trip to Providence to attend a conference at her alma mater. Walking up the street, reminiscing, she noticed what had been a quaint cocktail lounge when she was at school there in the 90s was now an English style pub. English Cellar Alehouse is tucked in the basement of a building and would be easy to miss save for the signage on the street. She stood there and debated entering her old haunt, but finally said “what the heck!” and descended the stairs. This was definitely a cellar, and upon entering, she felt like she’d entered an old pub much like the ones she and Nate and frequented on their honeymoon in England. There was even soccer on the TV and rock on the radio as she sat at the bar. A cozy fireplace and communal tables only added to the quaintness of the pub. The only hint you were not in England? The Ivy League students speaking American!

Tina's beer, atop the menu.

How-To: Pick an After Dinner Drink

Wine presents us with a wide range of flavors and styles, options to enjoy for very different reasons. While most talk of wine pairings discuss it with a meal, there are other options that go equally well with dessert, or even to end a meal on their own.

• Digestif: Liquers and brandies, intended to be consumed after a meal to aid digestion. This can be grappa or limoncello, etc.
• Fortified Wines: Ports and sherries with rich, sweet flavors can be a good complement to heavier desserts or cheese courses. "Fortified" mean alcohol has been added, so they are more alcoholic than traditional wine.
• Dessert Wines: Sweet and fruity wines, like Late Harvest Rieslings or Ice Wines can complement super sweet desserts. Sweet can be created in many ways: sometimes a sweeter grape (like Muscat) creates the sweetness, sometimes the vintner allows a late harvest for extra ripening, and other times sugar is added to the wine to make it sweet.
• Sparkling Wines: Sweeter sparkling wines pair well with lighter, fresh desserts. Prosecco or Cava are good choices, avoid anything "brut" or dry.
• Spirits: Hearty liquors like bourbon can be enjoyed on their own, or with desserts that include it as an ingredient.

Port with the cheese plate and a late harvest wine with a mousse-like cake.

Quick Review: Glorie Farm Winery Red Quartet

US, NY, Hudson Valley, Glorie Farm Winery, Red Quartet 2011

+ // Earthy // Leather // Cherry, Tannins // Medium

A very drinkable wine, made from a blended quartet of Merlot, Chambourcin, and De Chaunac grapes--and the skill of the winemaker. Chambourcin and De Chaunac are great blending grapes, both are "hybrids" and particularly hearty against the perils of a colder climate.