Caps vs Corks

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by mcaulifww, Apr 2, 2012.

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  1. mcaulifww

    mcaulifww Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2011 Virginia

    Hey all,

    Just wondering. is there a difference when aging caps or corks?

    example: I'm at the store. there's a capped bottle and a corked bottle of Chimay Blue. What's the better option to age? My instincts tell me corked. is this wrong? is there an actual difference?
     
  2. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    I have read all sorts of research on both sides and I'm sure people here will have their arguments for each. Both packaging methods have examples that have stood the test of time.
     
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  3. claaark13

    claaark13 Maven (1,412) Nov 29, 2007 Indiana
    Trader

    In many cases, it seems that the quality of the cork or the seal of the cap play the biggest role.
     
  4. midworken

    midworken Initiate (0) Sep 20, 2009 Nebraska

    As others have said, it's going to be hard to find a solid, for-sure answer. Corks probably have a higher susceptibility to allowing air inside the container, and may impart flavors if the bottle is stored on it's side. If you age a corked bottle for several or more years, it may also dry if not kept humidified. This will cause the cork to crack and possibly crumble into the beer you are opening.
    However, capped bottle have their own drawbacks. They can rust and the inner seal can wear away with time. To help with these issues, I know some people wax their capped bottles - don't know if this really helps or not, but it's something to look into.

    I think alot of the drawbacks have to do with the quality of the cork or cap, the amount of time you are aging them, and the environment you are storing them in.
     
  5. DaveJanssen

    DaveJanssen Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2008 Germany

    I believe that larger format bottles are thought to age better, so that would cover a lot of the capped/corked possibilities since generally one size isn't available in both formats. My experience with old corked beers (65 years and on) is that they are great. My experience with capped beers in that range has been a bit more hit and miss but still generally good.
     
  6. mcaulifww

    mcaulifww Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2011 Virginia

    What about Cans. I see Ten Fidy and Heady Topper are in cans and can be aged, but does being in a can have any different affect on being in a bottle? I know that cans don't let in light
     
  7. ActonBrewer

    ActonBrewer Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2009 Massachusetts

    I have been considering buying some bottle wax to take care of all my capped bottles.
     
  8. surlytheduff

    surlytheduff Initiate (0) Jul 22, 2010 Tajikistan

    Just a quick question: what is your expected time window you are looking at with the beer you are keeping?
     
  9. mcaulifww

    mcaulifww Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2011 Virginia

    I just got started, but I'm hoping to be able to get a couple bottles at a time and try at intervals of 6months or 1year. but I don't have any strict plans. I'm not intending on finishing a four pack of something in a year. I don't have a whole lot of space right now, but i'm hoping to be able to make due with what i've got.
     
  10. surlytheduff

    surlytheduff Initiate (0) Jul 22, 2010 Tajikistan

    My advice: don't over think things. Buy/acquire beers you like, keep detailed inventory, take tasting notes. Stick with the very general storage best practices (keep out of direct light, keep someplace where there isn't high temperature fluctuations) and you really can't go wrong. Don't worry about minutia like caps/corks/cans/horizontal storage; it is really hard to mess this stuff up. The beer may not improve to your tastes in the window you are working in, but it isn't going to be because any of those things I just mentioned.
     
  11. mcaulifww

    mcaulifww Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2011 Virginia


    I'm just curious as to the affects or differences cans may provide being that they are a less commonly cellared vessel. it will not influence my purchasing decisions or my cellaring practices.

    so, any insight as to the differences, if any that cans have when cellaring???
     
  12. surlytheduff

    surlytheduff Initiate (0) Jul 22, 2010 Tajikistan

    What other cans are there with aging potential besides Ten Fidy? I can't think of many ... maybe that Sun King barleywine. In any case, I wouldn't hesitate to age Ten Fidy. I think you would find plenty of people that had positive results with it.

    Cans have a plastic liner inside, so aluminum exposure isn't an issue. I suppose the liner could deteriorate, but I don't think it would be common in your usual fresh - 3/4 year aging window.
     
  13. Zimbo

    Zimbo Pooh-Bah (2,305) Aug 7, 2010 Scotland
    Pooh-Bah

    Given that the quality and reliability of corks is finally beginning to show improvement its really hard to say. My head says continue to play it safe with crown caps but the romantic in me says all consumable liquids should be closed with cork.
     
  14. podunkparte

    podunkparte Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2009 Washington

    Please don't age Heady Topper. IPAs are meant to be drank fresh. The hops will fade away and you'll have nothing left of what the beer was fresh.

    Have you read through the cellaring guide thread? http://beeradvocate.com/beer/101/store
     
  15. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    You should probably wax your cans. Just drop the whole can into the wax pot and fish it out with a ladle or something.
     
  16. surlytheduff

    surlytheduff Initiate (0) Jul 22, 2010 Tajikistan

    The pros can their cans in these:
    [​IMG]
     
  17. RandomName7

    RandomName7 Initiate (0) Feb 22, 2012 Washington

    I'm pretty sure if you really want to age your cans, you are supposed to encase them in epoxy in the shape of a surfboard:

    [​IMG]

    Admittedly, this guy has some pretty poor taste regarding what to age... but his theory is sound. ^_^
     
  18. mcaulifww

    mcaulifww Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2011 Virginia


    Woops. yea I know you shouldn't age IPAs. don't know what I was thinking there
     
  19. AxesandAnchors

    AxesandAnchors Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2012 Oregon

    I personally don't like cans for several unrelated reasons, but I had an '09 and a 2012 Ten Fidy side by side about a month ago. I could swear I tasted a bit of a metallicness to it with the first 1/3 of the beer (the '09), but after that I wasn't able to pick up on it. Side by side the '09 was quite a bit more complex than the 2012.
     
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