Like wine, beer can benefit a great deal from the aging process. Barrel aging and cask conditioning ales has been popular for some time, but according to an article from the Wall Street Journal, craft beer aficionados are now starting their own beer cellars at home.
Instead of bottles of pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon, the cellar shelves are lining up with porters, barleywines, quadruples and more. While not every beer style is conducive to aging (some are best enjoyed immediately), there are many styles that mellow out and change over time, producing distinctively new characteristics.

From a public relations and business perspective, the trend is creating new opportunities for craft brewers and consumers. More sophisticated enthusiasts now have a new hobby to nerd out on, for a much smaller price tag than starting a wine cellar.  As for the brewers, they now have an opportunity to brew more specialty and limited bottle conditioned ales for these higher level consumers. As beer continues to get fancier, they may even be able to charge a premium for it.