Beer Closet Accident - HELP! Seeking Advice

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by dercky, Sep 17, 2017.

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  1. dercky

    dercky Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2014 New York

    Hey everyone -
    So, I was cleaning out my closet today, and when we were moving the beer shelf back into place, it toppled a bit, and I lost a bunch of bottles (8-9) - at least $250 worth. A lot of stuff I've been aging, and I'm really bummed. Some are salvagable to drink tonight and tomorrow (I know I'll lose some carb over that time), but I had one specific question about a Cantillon bottle I have ...

    The bottle cap is loose, but the cork appears to still be precisely in place. It doesn't appear to have had any beer burst. Do you think I'm okay to keep this one in the closet, or should I drink it now, too?

    Thanks for any advice you all have. This is the worst day of my life
     
    #1 dercky, Sep 17, 2017
  2. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Sorry to hear about the accident.

    With the Cantillon, just to be on the safe side, I'd put it in the fridge for about 3-4 weeks and then drink it. The shaking up it got will have knocked some carbonation out of the liquid and it needs time to get redissolved. Also if there was any sediment in the bottle it needs some time to settle back down to the bottom of the bottle. Even with the loose crown the cork, from what you say, appears fine but....
     
    #2 drtth, Sep 17, 2017
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  3. Bryan12345

    Bryan12345 Initiate (0) Mar 17, 2016 Texas

    Drown your sorrows with a little Cantillon?

    I say drink it, and enjoy!!!
     
    #3 Bryan12345, Sep 17, 2017
  4. Wasatch

    Wasatch Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,062) Jun 8, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sorry to hear thank. Drink it now.

    Cheers!
     
    #4 Wasatch, Sep 17, 2017
  5. Squire

    Squire Grand Pooh-Bah (4,385) Jul 16, 2015 Mississippi
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Too bad, things happen, the upside is they didn't land on your mother-in-law's head and if the cork is still in place the Cantillon is just a bit shook up.
     
    #5 Squire, Sep 17, 2017
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  6. jvgoor3786

    jvgoor3786 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,222) May 28, 2015 Arkansas
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    You have lived a pretty great life, no?
     
    #6 jvgoor3786, Sep 17, 2017
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  7. dercky

    dercky Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2014 New York

    yeah it's not bad haha ... MAYBE a bit of an over reaction ... maybe
     
    #7 dercky, Sep 17, 2017
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  8. dercky

    dercky Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2014 New York

    Yeah, when i give it a shake, there doesn't appear to be any carb coming to the top right now. I think that's a good sign? Either means A) it's completely de-carbed from the drop; B) it was was never carbed in the first place since I had it shipped to me; or, C) it's still fine, and no oxygen is getting to it to make the bubbles. All just theories, as I am not a scientist.

    I taped it up and put in back in my closet. Hoping that is enough. All the other beers (all stouts, mostly barrel-aged) I taped up and put in the fridge. I'll be tackling those as quickly as I can throughout the week.
     
    #8 dercky, Sep 17, 2017
  9. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just an FYI, I wouldn't use tape, it doesn't work to protect carbonation, I know this from seeing intact caps on trade bottles that leaked right through the tape. And I would definitely store the Cantillon in the fridge and drink as soon as co2 has reabsorbed (1-4 weeks)
     
    #9 cavedave, Sep 17, 2017
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  10. dercky

    dercky Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2014 New York

    You don't think the cork is enough? What if I had the cap re-crimped by a local brewer? I bet Other Half would help me out with this ...?
     
    #10 dercky, Sep 17, 2017
  11. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    I always err on the side of caution. YMMV
     
    #11 cavedave, Sep 17, 2017
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  12. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    FYI, the carbonation bubbles are created by CO2 dissolved in the beer. The effect of Oxygen seeping in will be to replace any CO2 that is escaping and then to accelerate some (but not all) aspects of the aging of the beer.

    I'd strongly suggest you get that bottle in the fridge as soon as possible.
     
    #12 drtth, Sep 17, 2017
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  13. Giantspace

    Giantspace Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Dec 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Drink them all. They fell over. It's a voice from beyond telling you to drink them. It's beer. Why get so involved with the issues you are bringing upon yourself.

    Enjoy
     
    #13 Giantspace, Sep 17, 2017
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  14. JrGtr

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

    When you say you lost the beers, did they actually break or just toppled over.
    If they didn't break or anything, they're fine to keep aging. Just shaking them up won't cause any issues if the cap or cork is still sealed.
     
    #14 JrGtr, Sep 17, 2017
  15. anfield86

    anfield86 Pooh-Bah (2,606) Nov 21, 2006 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I really would advise against bringing beer from another brewery to another brewery to have fixed, unless you happen to know someone who works there or something. Bottle cappers are really cheap and I'm sure a homebrewer would let you use theirs if you asked. Just my 2ยข
     
    #15 anfield86, Sep 17, 2017
  16. dercky

    dercky Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2014 New York

    One broke, the other affected beers have loose caps. Definitely some oxygen getting in there, and some of them are leaking out the top currently.
     
    #16 dercky, Sep 17, 2017
  17. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I agree, just a bit shook up. I'd find someone with a capper to recap it, then back in storage, though perhaps the fridge from now on. Don't feel compelled to drink it sooner than you would otherwise.
     
    #17 bbtkd, Sep 17, 2017
  18. Squire

    Squire Grand Pooh-Bah (4,385) Jul 16, 2015 Mississippi
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Having pulled a few beer corks I have faith in the sealing power of those things.
     
    #18 Squire, Sep 17, 2017
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  19. Sweatshirt

    Sweatshirt Initiate (0) Jan 27, 2014 New Hampshire

    I don't. Experienced a lot of sub par cantillon corks over the years as well.
     
    #19 Sweatshirt, Sep 17, 2017
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