#§ucaba

[thedaily-beer]

Firestone Walker’s §ucaba 2013 (Picked up at Belmont Station in Portland). A 4 of 4. A ton of oak, bourbon, and other big boozy notes in the nose. A ton more complexity in the body -- lots of roast and barrel notes, as well as dark sugar and other candy-like sweetness. As this warms, more candy and dark fruit qualities emerge, and this finishes quite easily. The alcohol stays almost completely hidden, and this gives you more and more complexity in each sip. One of the best.

[whatchudrinkin]

Mistakes Were Made

When I first tasted §ucaba almost two years ago, it was magnificent. It was so smooth and flavorful. There were layers of flavor from nuts to toffee to chocolate edged in vanilla icing. It was just perfect. I went out last year and bought another bottle. I intended to squirrel it away for a special occasion. A special occasion never materialized, but I had a hankering.

A year in the back of my closet has done nothing for this beer. It's just gone icky. The bourbon has taken over. The malt has thinned out. The hops are dead. It's all stale. It resembled a weak coffee with a shot of bourbon. I have had plenty of beers from my cellar turn out spectacularly. Last month's Westvleteren was amazing. But this was a waste. 

When keeping beer, beware. It can go from amazing to disgusting in a matter of months.