7 year old beer

Twenty-two ounces is quite a weight to carry -- Especially when it is the last beer from Brew U, my old brewpub. It was fun while it lasted, and tonight I toasted the closure of a long, rough period.

We finally put to rest the past today -- and tonight I was finally able to break out that beer that I was saving for a Special Occasion. I had saved one bottle of our Barley Wine and stashed it in the back of the refrigerator for the past 7 years or so. I didn't know when I'd open it, but knew that I should save it for something special.

When I popped the cap tonight, it let off a tell-tale 'psssittt' that told me it was still sealed right... but what about the flavor after so long? Well, true to Barley Wine nature, the beer mellowed with age, and kept it's character. The beer had a beautiful chestnut color, capped by a creamy white head. The aroma was mellow and spiced together, while the taset went down like a carmel delight -- sweet, with the hits of hop and alcohol.

Like the business that it represents, it was fantastic, and something to be enjoyed -- but short lived. I'm glad to have saved it, and glad to be able to use it to toast better times, and a bright future.