Coopers Extra Strong Vintage Ale - Lucky Me!

[KEG]

hehe, as the topic states, lucky me. I was around at a family friends' place when i spied a bottle of coopers' ESV ale. i had a look at it and had to exclaim when i saw the bottling date on it - 2 Oct 1999

he said "oh, that? you can have it if you want it."

and i indeed did not say no

the question now is - do i open it and drink it (provided it's still good, which i think it would be), or keep it longer? approx. 7.5 years old is more than enough aging for something simple like a Coopers' ESV in my opinion - but what do you guys think?

[rwh]

My opinion: drink it now. It's only downhill from here, in fact it's already long in the tooth. Whether it'll be good or not will depend on the conditions it's been stored in.

[lethaldog]

Or you could not drink it and sell it in 20 years for a mill or 2

[gregb]

Drink it.

Cheers,
Greg

[Boonie]

I had an old one last year. I think it was a 99.

The yeast had turned white and the taste was "Interesting", not bad though. I had one of my 06's that I had brought along to the "Beer appreciation night", straight after the 99.

I thought the 06 was better, 3 other blokes thought the 99 was better.

Dig in now, or email me for postage details.

Cheers

Boonie

[KEG]

i've inspected it closely in bright light, and it all looks good. the yeast is still dark coloured and sitting at the bottom, and there's no growths or skin on it anywhere.

i think i'll buy a new bottle and do a side-by-side comparision. when i end up doing it, i'll keep you posted

cheers
chris

[rwh]

Keep in mind that you're comparing apples with oranges (i.e. the recipes for the vintage are different each year).

[KEG]

are they really?

[Oliver]

They are indeed. Different malts, quantities of adjuncts and even yeasts. In fact, at least one has been made with lager yeast from what I understand.

Cheers,

Oliver

[KEG]

does anyone have any idea what they used in 1999?

i picked up a bottle of 2006 today... will compare the two later for the sake of it anyway.

[KEG]

OK, the comparision:

2006:

Alcoholic tasting for sure
"Green" flavour - a bit too much flavour hops for my liking, i like strong ales malty but with balanced bitterness and little to no hop *flavour*
Very hoppy aroma.
Comparing it with the '99 is like comparing a 2 week and 3 month old home brew.


1999:

Less body than the '06 - more complex sugars broken down? definitely not infection, it tasted fine.
Way more noticeable oaky flavour.
Reminded me of a dry sherry.
Sort of caramel/toffee combined with oak aroma.
No hop flavour or aroma, but bitterness is quite balanced with the malt.



Verdict: the '99 crapped all over the 2006 IMO. I wish i had more bottles of the '99, cause i really enjoyed it.


interestingly, the 2006 label recommended cellaring for up to 5 years, whereas the 1999 suggested only 18 months... it got about 90 though, and tasted great.

[Boonie]

Cellar for 5 years .....mine were lucky to last the 3.5 months that they were in my cupboard. And that was 36 bottles

I did not have the willpower

I love the 06, but I think I'll ask my mate for another 99 just to test again from your notes Keg.

Cheers

Boonie

[KEG]

i'd be very interested to hear your comparision Boonie. i've still got some of the '99 in my glass. all the '06 is gone, i've saved the best til last. much richer flavour at room temp, i'd suggest starting chilled and keeping it long enough to try a fair bit at room temp. delicious!

[Rysa]

I did not have the willpower

What's this thing called... willpower?