Maturing Coopers beers

[DL]

This isn't exactly a homebrew question but I figured it's the best place to ask it. Has anyone ever bothered maturing Coopers beers in the bottle? If yes, for how long, and did they get better with age?

[drsmurto]

A few pubs in Adelaide sell aged Coopers Sparkling Ale longnecks. I wouldn't bother aging the pale, nor the dark, probably only really worthwhile with the sparkling and the stout.

[gregb]

Agree with the good Doc. I had a BE Stout I cellared for 18 months from 'Best After' date. It was very smooth.

Cheers,
Greg

[Chris]

The stout, and (of course) the Vintage!!!

[Chris]

One other thing...

It's better if they haven't been refrigeratored

[Pale_Ale]

I've aged plenty of sparkling and pale ale for up to 2 years.

CPA smooths a bit, it probably worth keeping for about 6 months in your cupboard.

Sparkling Ale turns into a very rich fruity beer (more so than before) and ageing will reward the Coopers enthusiast. It does have a turning point though and becomes a bit weird.

I also had the pleasure of drinking some of the last leabrook sparkling ales a few years back, which I understand had been cellared for around 18 months. One of the best beers I've ever had.

[Chunk]

I emailed the coopers site regarding this. They said CPA & CSA could be cellered up to 2 years after the best after date. I used to buy a few cases when it was on sale. Didn't really notice much difference in the aged bottles.

[hbg]

Was it the Black label product with the GGGF on there?
Otherwise, I would not worry too much.

[drsmurto]

hbg

black labels? GGGF?

I assume you have never tasted aged sparkling ale. It IS worth the effort (IMO). Just not sure how often you would come across it over your way.

Tis the same principal with HB, am drinking a few ales i thought were ordinary when made last year and they are now much better.

Cheers
DrSmurto

[Boonie]

I emailed the coopers site regarding this. They said CPA & CSA could be cellered up to 2 years after the best after date. I used to buy a few cases when it was on sale. Didn't really notice much difference in the aged bottles.

Me either, I had 2 CPA sitting in the cupboard for 2 years and not much diff IMO

[Oliver]

Dragging up an old thread again, but I've got about half a dozen bottles of Coopers Stout and a bottle of Sparkling Ale, which I bought in about 1997 or 1998 and were among the last of the Coopers bottled in Pickaxe returnable bottles.

Might have to crack of the stouts soon to see how it's fared. They haven't been stored in ideal conditions, so I'm not holding out too much hope.

Has anyone else tried a Coopers this old?

Any thoughts on how it will be?

Oliver

[barrelboy]

I reckon it should be excellent as long as not exposed to sun/sunlight for any lengthy time over that period or the tops have become porous due to rusting and allowed air in. Cool one down, open, smell, taste and......
Cheers BB

[Oliver]

It's a plan! I'll let you guys know how it is.

Cheers,

Oliver