Is aged beer for real?

Aging of beer is not well defined or well studied. The best finds can be those beers aged in wood and perhaps some aged in bottle that are stored in good conditions for a few years. The best way to define the difference in any aged character is through a side-by-side tasting of a fresh batch and the aged one. Also the same batch where one is aged in bottle and the other in wood. As it is wood aged beers remain the best example of aged beer.

Aged IPA?

I am not familiar with aged IPA.

The only aged IPA worth a try is if it had been aged in wood.

I recently had the Dragon's Milk and found it great. It sported a 10% ABV, was opaque, smooth, and rich in dark malts, dark fruits, and faint roasted malt. All this in both the aroma and mouth with the warming of the alcohol a bonus.

Some beers are aged in oak barrels but I've never heard of an IPA that was aged. IPA's are usually very high in hops content and need to be consumed pretty quick. Usually it's the Belgian style beers that you can actually age yourself.

For example, the brewer (Unibroue) that makes La Fin Du Monde claims that you can age this beer for 3-5 years. Although, I would never let it sit around for that long, they claim you can do it. In fact, it looks like you can age most of their beers. Click the link below, choose a beer they make then click 'aging' at the top. I've never tried aging a beer for 5 years but I would imagine it's okay to do it with Belgian style beers like these.

Some beers are good aged, like Belgian style, barley wine, imperial stout, anything very malty and strong in alcohol. IPA, event the double version I would drink it fresh. Hops don't aged well.

We now have a lot of ales, now not a lot in the way of bitters although. Most of your "chain" eating places are going to carry the boring lagers you are thinking of. But check out regional brew pubs and you'll to find some real treats! I was in Lake Havasu metropolis (Arizona) this prior weekend, had some very good Scorpion Amber Ale on the Mudshark brewing organization. Micro breweries have really grown within the states, so I think for those who appear for brew pubs for your travel, you can find some first rate ales to tide you over unless you get again to your residence! Enjoy!

I have been trying to find Dragon's Milk ale locally.

It is a a nice ale that is aged in second use Heaven Hill bourbon barrels. It is a dark stout that develops the bourbon undertones.

A friend who lives out of town, tried some on tap and said it was delicious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FttkHVBu2IA -- 3 weeks

Some is aged for 30 days before distribution: Czechoslovakia

But not often for longer, though yes for special types

http://russianriverbrewing.com/barrel-aged-beers/

Elderly USA beer is the worst, usually sold in SE Michigan

Aging in bottle or can is not a beneficial process, particularly in hot warehouse.

But bottles better than cans, if not too old.

Aged beer is just the next trendy thing to push to get people to buy products.

probably... but i don't think it would enhance on the flavor... since it is usually bottled in glass bottles.

Why don't you just try it, then you could answer your own question?