Best option for cellaring beer in a home with fluctuating temps?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by tattoopunk031, May 22, 2013.

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  1. tattoopunk031

    tattoopunk031 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Just wondering if anyone has any good suggestions. My home is a split level so I don't have a basement. Currently my beer is storing in a box in my garage which at the moment is cooler but will eventually heat up during summer time. I have an extra fridge in my garage and bought a thermometer to check the temp in there but the highest I can seem to get the fridge to is 40-45 and I would like the beer to be between 50-55. The other rooms in my house are usually around 65-75 depending on changing temps in PA. Thought about maybe buying a small wine cooler. Any good brands/models?
     
    #1 tattoopunk031, May 22, 2013
  2. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,775) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Definitely get it out of garage for now. For long term, I would suggest either finding a central closet or something that stays at a relatively constant temp (fluctuations of a few degrees one way and the other aren't really a problem) or better, get a temp controller for that second fridge. Johnson is probably the biggest name out there, and it will turn the fridge on and off as the temps go up and down. You can set it to whatever temp you want.
     
    #2 JrGtr, May 22, 2013
  3. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Having beer be "too cold" is better than having it be too hot. If you want to get the fridge warmer just get one of those temperature regulators thingies from Amazon.
     
    #3 stupac2, May 22, 2013
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  4. Spaceloaf

    Spaceloaf Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2008 Oregon

    Definitely store it in the fridge. There's nothing wrong with storing at ~45; I intentionally store mine at that temp so that it comes out ready to go at perfect drinking temp.

    If you really want higher temps, go for a temperature controller. Those wine coolers are insanely expensive considering the limited amount a bottles they can hold. A fridge/freezer with a controller will give you way more space for much less money (comparatively speaking).
     
    #4 Spaceloaf, May 22, 2013
  5. MrDave

    MrDave Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2013 California

    #5 MrDave, May 22, 2013
  6. tattoopunk031

    tattoopunk031 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2012 Pennsylvania


    I was looking into the Temp controller from Johnson, saw it in a forum post the other day. Maybe ill go that route and see what happens.
     
    #6 tattoopunk031, May 23, 2013
  7. tattoopunk031

    tattoopunk031 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2012 Pennsylvania

    #7 tattoopunk031, May 23, 2013
  8. MrDave

    MrDave Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2013 California

    Yeah, I'm aware of that concern. Just hoping it isn't as much of an issue as some folks make it out to be. I think it's mostly a problem with corked beers, but I'm new to this...
     
    #8 MrDave, May 23, 2013
  9. tattoopunk031

    tattoopunk031 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2012 Pennsylvania


    I hear ya, i just ended up buying one of those Johnson digital temp control things for my fridge. We'll see how it works out.
     
    #9 tattoopunk031, May 23, 2013
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  10. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    That's not a concern. The people who say things about one way being better than the other are talking out their ass. There's no evidence whatsoever that one is preferable. (Well, there's a study on champagne that said that champagne is better stored upright, but there's 0 information on their methodology or how significant the results were available anywhere.)
     
    #10 stupac2, May 23, 2013
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  11. thedoubler55

    thedoubler55 Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2010 New Jersey

    I store mine in a wine fridge as well and keep the temp set at 51, I dont put corked beers in there though. I have heard that storing corked beer for prolonged periods of time will affect it but I have not tested this theory out. I just keep those in the regular fridge. :wink:
     
    #11 thedoubler55, May 23, 2013
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  12. RStang13

    RStang13 Initiate (0) Jun 22, 2011 New Jersey

    My only issue with lying bottles down is sediment, I'd rather have it compacted in the bottom rather than along the length of the bottle.
    Cheers
     
    #12 RStang13, May 23, 2013
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  13. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    That's what gueuze baskets are for!
     
    #13 stupac2, May 23, 2013
    Michigan and thedoubler55 like this.
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