Storing on the side

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Paulpaul, Jun 24, 2023.

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  1. Paulpaul

    Paulpaul Initiate (25) Jun 24, 2023

    Hello,
    Just joined and wondered if you guys can help.

    I have around 13 bottles of 3fonteinen 750ml
    Some fruited and others gueuze.

    Unfortunately I’m not able to get a wine chiller so I store them in a large cupboard (on their side) today I took a few out and noticed that they have built up a large amount of sediment on both fruited and gueuze along the entire bottle, including up to the cork. When moving the bottle the top layer of sediment appears easily disturbed. When I plan on drinking I will transfer to the fridge for a few hours to get them a bit cooler. Will this also set the sediment before transferring to the basket to poor?. On a side note I have kept them for about 4months so far. is it normal to have the sediment build up a lot in that time.

    hope you guys can help.
     
    #1 Paulpaul, Jun 24, 2023
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  2. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Those beers have sediment from the get go, so yes its normal.

    And yes, your plan to transfer to the fridge upright for a few hours before drinking will let the sediment settle
     
    #2 unlikelyspiderperson, Jun 24, 2023
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  3. KevinJohnson2

    KevinJohnson2 Savant (1,049) Jul 8, 2013 Michigan
    Society Trader

    Only think I’ll add here is I always refrigerate lambic for at least 24 hours before opening.
     
    #3 KevinJohnson2, Jun 25, 2023
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  4. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Definitely helps with the sediment settling at the bottom, and also helps to keep gushing down
     
    #4 MrOH, Jun 25, 2023
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  5. Paulpaul

    Paulpaul Initiate (25) Jun 24, 2023

    Ahhh ok guys,

    thank you for the reply’s.
    I’ll fridge the day before and get out, leave in the basket for a while to let it come up to temp with cork out before serving.
     
    #5 Paulpaul, Jun 26, 2023
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  6. Ernest7

    Ernest7 Devotee (349) Apr 24, 2019 Belgium

    iMHO leave the bottles on their side once on their side (just a little bit lifted at cork side). The sediment will settle; don't disturb the sediment by tilting from horizontal to vertical; store in fridge horizontally for 2 hrs and take out 30-60 minutes (depending on weather/room temperature) before uncorking.

    After long-term storing (years and decades), the sediment will settle in a fish-bone pattern.
    Cheers!
     
    #6 Ernest7, Jun 26, 2023
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  7. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    3F bottles will always have sediment. Interestingly, 3F stores bottles upright (cork and cage) whereas Cantillon stores their bottles on the side (cork and cap). I store my 3F bottles upright, so there is no sediment issue when pouring. For bottles stored on their side, I would give them at least 24 hours upright to make sure everything has settled properly.
     
    #7 Beersnake, Jul 24, 2023
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  8. WizardX

    WizardX Initiate (109) Jul 21, 2023 Sweden

    Just bought my first Oude Geuze, and it has this little figure that I interpret (perhaps wrongly) as a recommendation for horizontal storage. What do you think?

    [​IMG]
     
    #8 WizardX, Jul 26, 2023
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  9. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thats what I would think looking at that image
     
    #9 unlikelyspiderperson, Jul 26, 2023
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  10. Paulpaul

    Paulpaul Initiate (25) Jun 24, 2023

    As the original poster, I would like to give a little update. So I’ve had about 4 bottles of 3f. I kept them on the side for around 4months, fridge them for 5/6 hours (on the side still) and then use the 3f basket to serve.

    what I’ve found is, moving from the side position to the fridge will disturb the top layer sediment. It will settle again once in the fridge. When it’s moved to the basket the top layer of sediment will be disturbed again as it’s no longer completely on its side. From what I cans see from the pour appears ok. I think it’s best to let the sediment settle once in the basket as it comes up to temp.

    at the recent tour of 3f they said store upright for 24 hours to let the sediment settle on the bottom before serving. I don’t think this was taking into account the baskets.

    I’ll be have a few bottles tomorrow. A few that have been on their side and few from an upright position and then transferred into a basket.
     
    #10 Paulpaul, Jul 30, 2023
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