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Aging canned Unibroue vs bottled
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2023 3:44 pm
by skaghevn
I noticed (with some dismay) that the seasonal pack of Unibroue at the Beer Store now is canned, not bottled. I'd really like to set some aside for aging, but have doubts about how things would turn out with canned beer. Anyone have any experience in this area, and/or does anyone know if it's still easy to pick up big bottles (750 - 1500ml) in QC?
Re: Aging canned Unibroue vs bottled
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2023 5:02 pm
by MatttthewGeorge
I've never had any qc issues with aging canned beer.
Re: Aging canned Unibroue vs bottled
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:56 pm
by Craig
Ditto. Half my cellar is cans.
Re: Aging canned Unibroue vs bottled
Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2023 11:23 am
by seangm
If anything cans will retain a fresher, or closer to canning date flavour than bottles and should remain drinkable as long or even longer. Downside is generally some of the changes attributed to aging in bottles, especially that sherry-like result of slow oxidation may not happen; or will take far longer to happen.
By nature of the types of beers I've bought to enjoy later, almost all of my aging experience is in bottles, but after Amsterdam switched Tempest to cans I held onto those for at least a couple years and they were still excellent.
Re: Aging canned Unibroue vs bottled
Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2023 9:29 pm
by Cass
Can vs bottle aside, it’s kind of a shame that the new mix pack is down to just 4 beers. I would get the mix bottle pack from time to time, and IIRC the last one had Terrible & Raftman. Kind of weird that they dropped Blanche de Chambly too, so now the mix pack is all high octane.
https://www.thebeerstore.ca/beers/unibroue-mix/
Re: Aging canned Unibroue vs bottled
Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2023 11:48 am
by MatttthewGeorge
Cass wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 9:29 pm
Can vs bottle aside, it’s kind of a shame that the new mix pack is down to just 4 beers. I would get the mix bottle pack from time to time, and IIRC the last one had Terrible & Raftman. Kind of weird that they dropped Blanche de Chambly too, so now the mix pack is all high octane.
https://www.thebeerstore.ca/beers/unibroue-mix/
That mix is actually quite appealing to me: no Blanche and no Ephémère = a potential purchase for me!
Re: Aging canned Unibroue vs bottled
Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2023 12:02 pm
by skaghevn
The winter pack has always been skewed towards the higher abv end; it was good to have a Chambly tossed in, even if it was the Blonde. It is a shame that they've reduced the amount of variety in the pack, although the trade-off is more beer -- 355ml cans vs the old 341ml bottles.
Thanks for the feedback with regards to aging; with the exception of a canned barley wine I had forgotten, I've only ever aged bottled beer.
Re: Aging canned Unibroue vs bottled
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2023 11:57 am
by seangm
I think I like that mix better as well; Blanche is easy to find standalone and I never cared much for Ephemere. Will have to keep an eye out on my next empties run.
Re: Aging canned Unibroue vs bottled
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2023 3:03 pm
by Cass
Don't get me wrong - I love all these beers. I guess my point is compared to the other mix pack, you kind of need to buy it with something else to balance it out. I tried drinking only the strong octane Unibroues one night recently at my parents and I couldn't keep it going like I used to be able to
Re: Aging canned Unibroue vs bottled
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2023 3:36 pm
by Tapsucker
seangm wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 11:23 am
If anything cans will retain a fresher, or closer to canning date flavour than bottles and should remain drinkable as long or even longer. Downside is generally some of the changes attributed to aging in bottles, especially that sherry-like result of slow oxidation may not happen; or will take far longer to happen.
By nature of the types of beers I've bought to enjoy later, almost all of my aging experience is in bottles, but after Amsterdam switched Tempest to cans I held onto those for at least a couple years and they were still excellent.
Cans do kind of take the fun out of it, though. No more living on edge wondering what was the noise you just heard from the basement. Asking yourself should I open this over the sink or take it outside? 'cmon folks, live a little.
