A true test of willpower: waiting months, years, to drink a beer. But some suds benefit from a little aging. They’re like the George Clooneys of beer, evolving and maturing in flavor intensities and taste complexities. As a rule, the best nominees for aging have elevated ABVs and are fortified with rich, dark malts (think: barleywines, Belgian ales, barrel-aged brews, imperials, doubles, and other burly beers), and they’re available en masse now. Find and (eventually) imbibe these local seasonals and new releases ready to hit the pillow for a spell—or however long you can fight the urge to uncap them. Patience is a virtue, people.
Sleeping Beauty: Berkley Belgian Style Triple
Style: Abbey Tripel
ABV: 8.9%
This rotating brew from Berkley Beer in Mass is made with local honey and comes already aged in rye whiskey barrels for four months. Let this one rest for a few months and you’ll find that the booze softens, making the beer incredibly smooth. Grab a bottle, lock, and key.
Sleeping Beauty: Jack’s Abby Bride Maker
Style: Lager Wine
ABV: 13%
Named to honor the nuptials of several Jack’s Abby Brewing staffers, this is the Mass-based brewery’s second take on a barrel-aged lager wine. Aged in bourbon barrels, the October release’s mega ABV and dark malts make it the perfect candidate for a long nap in the cellar.
Sleeping Beauty: Harpoon Tuscan Pool Party
Style: Fruit Beer
ABV: 7.6%
The recent release in Harpoon’s 100 Barrel Series, number 52, pays homage to an employee-only trip to Italy that led to collaboration with Birrificio L’Olmaia, a brewery in Montepulciano. Aged on oak spirals and brewed with a balance of juicy hops and sweet Sangiovese and Merlot grape juice, the ale, if matured just a little longer, might grow a mustache.
Sleeping Beauty: Backlash Beer Vandal
Style: Double IPA
ABV: 8.5%
This limited release by Mass’s Backlash Beer is in celebration of their third-year anniversary. It’s brewed with three different varieties of hops. The big IPA will likely lose some of its hops-forwardness over time, but the caramel malt will start to shine through.
Sleeping Beauty: White Birch Ol’ Cattywhompus
Style: English Barleywine
ABV: 10.5%
Brewed by New Hampshire’s White Birch Brewing, this English barleywine has two key aging ingredients: a high ABV and darker grains. After a couple years, the hops will likely recede and the suds will take on sweeter sherry-like flavors. Don’t get confused, it’s still beer.
