This month’s Session is brought to us by The Ferm. The topic: “The Display Shelf: When to Drink the Good Stuff.”
I’m still relatively new to cellaring, having only started my meager collection in the winter of 2006/2007. I’ve got a variety of stuff tucked away in the back corner, the oldest of which is from 2007 (although, I have had the rare 2006 vintage).
I’m excited to have a couple of bottles of each year since from the Stone Vertical Epic series. I’ve got a few Belgians (Chouffe, Chimay, Orval) dating from early 2007. Mostly, though, a majority of the bottles that I’ve got are from the 2008-2009 time frame with more of a leaning toward stouts and barley wines.
It’s messy, but it’s mine.
Storing away beer isn’t easy for me. Sure, I know what to look for in a potential brew to put away for a few years, but when it comes to actually waiting, maintaining patience through that time has been rough. It also doesn’t help that I keep those bottles that don’t fit in the fridge — and are meant to be consumed that week — in the same area as my older bottles. So every time I go in to get a beer, I’m tempted and teased by those older goodies. Listen… you can hear them calling me even now.
Some Chouffee Noel, Gouden Carolous, Chimay and more…
So, shortly after this post, I’m going to come up with a plan to better protect and preserve the cellar selection. I will definitely start by isolating the older stuff from the spill over from the fridge.
I’m also going to reorganize the selection for easier management. I’m not sure if I should do this by date, brand or specific bottle, but I do know that the haphazard method I am currently using isn’t the best.
I guess I’m taking this opportunity with The Session to ask for some advice on my current cellaring situation — letting those bottles sit still for longer than I have. I’m certainly open to suggestions and ideas. Please, think of the beer, won’t you.
March 5th, 2010
JW said:
I’me reading your blog post and thinking to myself ‘He’s describing my problem!’ So I will definately be checking back to see how you net out for organizing and storing your ‘cellar’. It would make for a great follow-up blog post.
Thanks!
-JW