I've been interested in aging beer for a few months now. Back in early January NPR ran an article on the art of aging brews. About a month and a half later I managed to snag the book that inspired the article, Patrick's Dawson's Vintage Beer, from Cincinnati's public library system. Give it a read if your interested; it's both informative and entertaining.

The process of aging beer is a relatively simple one: grab a high-alcohol brew (above 8% ABV and not an IPA) and stick it in a cool, dark place for at least a year. Once that year (or longer) is up, crack that badboy open and give it a taste. After aging the true flavor of the brew'll be brought out. It's basically the same routine you'd undertake to age wine.

Now that I'm settled into an apartment where I'll reside for at least a year, I figured it's a fine time to put my money where my mouth is and give it a shot. While piecing together my latest four pack I threw in two of Boulevard Brewing Company's Dark Truth Stout. The brew boasts an impressive 9.7% ABV that is all too perfect for aging. One of the bottles I immediately stuck in storage to be opened (and discussed here) at a later date.

The other, I thought, should be opened and written about now so as to better compare the two upon consumption of its aged twin.