In college I was the one who frequented home the most and therefore accumulated more of a variety of beers. My roommates always commented on my keen ability to save beers longer than themselves.
Sometimes I will buy a beer, very excited to try it, and then sit on it for months at a time. That feeling of urgency fades and it gets tucked away in the back of the fridge amongst the forgotten bottles. That sounds like a sad story but is quite the opposite for when that bottle resurfaces in my consciousness it is a treasure to behold. For the most part, these hidden beers are big and memorable, deserving of the wait. Other times they are not so exciting in themselves but gain hype just because they've been forgotten for so long.
I purchased a bottle of Flying Dog's Barrel Aged Gonzo Imperial Porter weeks ago and it is currently resting pleasantly on my fridge door amongst other "savers". Nearly every time I work with my co-worker Steve, he asks if I have opened it yet and I answer with a resounding, "NO!" Now I've never had this barrel-aged version but I really do love the standard Gonzo so I am expecting great things. Flying Dog is far from one of my favorite breweries but their Gonzo is a real barn-burner so I can't wait to pop open this Wild Dog. For now however, I am going to enjoy the wait.
There is something about holding onto such beers that gives them a little something extra once they are eventually opened. Sometimes I can't resist. I had one extra bottle of Victory's Dark Intrigue which one would think would be a saver but after a week and a half, its time had come. The opportunity arose and I simply had to pop it open to share with friends.
It's all about timing though. If you're in the mood...crack it open. If you're going to be forcing down that barleywine you've had for months...just wait!
Every beer has it's proper time and place!
Cheers!
To quote the famnous beer aficionado Mott Hinkly "It's not a museum"
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