Better Aging Option - Fridge or Room Temp?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by CanesHeatFins305, Jan 4, 2017.

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Is it better to age BA stouts/imperial porters in a cabinet at room temp (70-72 degrees) or fridge?

  1. Cabinet at room temp.

    6 vote(s)
    40.0%

  2. Fridge at very cold

    9 vote(s)
    60.0%
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  1. CanesHeatFins305

    CanesHeatFins305 Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2014 Florida

    Is it better to keep BA stouts/imperial porters in a cabinet at room temp (70-72 degrees) or fridge at 33-40 degrees?

    My situation:

    I have some BA stouts/porters (Morning Wood, Last Buffalo, BA Harbinger, BCBS, BCBCS) and I'm saving most for a trip in June requiring a 3 hour flight + 3 hours of before and after travel time.

    My concerns with fridge are they won't age because too cold + high degree of temperature variance with the non-refrigerated 6 hours total of travel time.

    My concerns with room temp. cabinet is that it could "age" the beers too much and ruin the flavors.


    Many thanks in advance for anyone's advice!
     
    #1 CanesHeatFins305, Jan 4, 2017
  2. macrosmatic

    macrosmatic Pooh-Bah (2,735) Mar 9, 2006 Florida
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good news is...in the timespan of less than six months, I doubt there'll be a huge difference either way you choose to go. I don't think six months at a controlled room temperature will "age" the beers you listed in much of an appreciable way.

    That said, in stouts that rely heavily on adjuncts (i.e., all of the ones you listed outside of BCBS) I would pick refrigerated, were it mine to decide. The coconut reportedly tends to diminish quickly in a lot of beers - though folks around here still value Prop '13 very highly after more than three years.

    One-time temperature variation like this won't affect the beers at all.

    Good luck in your travels!
     
    #2 macrosmatic, Jan 5, 2017
  3. CanesHeatFins305

    CanesHeatFins305 Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2014 Florida

    You're the man - thank you very much for your detailed reply!
     
    #3 CanesHeatFins305, Jan 5, 2017
    macrosmatic likes this.
  4. phildow

    phildow Crusader (407) Jan 6, 2013 Michigan

    I voted fridge and here's my thoughts...
    If you're intending to drink them or trade them, I'd keep them in the fridge as they'll be as close to fresh as possible.
    If you're just transporting them for further storage/aging, it shouldn't really matter because they're going to continue to age.
     
    #4 phildow, Jan 6, 2017
  5. CanesHeatFins305

    CanesHeatFins305 Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2014 Florida

    Got it - thanks
     
    #5 CanesHeatFins305, Jan 6, 2017
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