Acceptable Temps for Cellaring

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by NEhophead, May 11, 2012.

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  1. NEhophead

    NEhophead Pooh-Bah (1,897) Apr 28, 2004 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    After discovering good beer nearly 12 years ago, I recently decided to further my beer horizons by getting into home brewing, and I'm now contemplating taking a stab at testing my patience and getting into cellaring.

    After doing a bit of research on the ideal conditions needed, I've come to the conclusion that my basement meets most of the criteria; however, I learned that my typical temperature is ~65 degrees which is about 5 to 10 degrees higher than what I've read is recommended. Cause for concern or am I being overly cautious?
     
    #1 NEhophead, May 11, 2012
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  2. PGHbeer77

    PGHbeer77 Initiate (0) Jan 16, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Overly cautious.
     
    #2 PGHbeer77, May 14, 2012
  3. DNuggs

    DNuggs Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts

    From what I've read (and practiced myself), 65 is at the higher end of the cellar temp spectrum but will still work. The trick is to keep the beers in a dark place and avoid fast temperature swings. My basement can get up to the upper 60's in the middle of the summer but it's a slow climb over a few weeks and then it'll slowly cool back down to around 60 by October/November. I haven't noticed any ill-effects yet from tasting any cellared bottles.
     
    #3 DNuggs, May 14, 2012
  4. Jason

    Jason Founder (0) Aug 23, 1996 Massachusetts

    How humid does your basement get, I'd be more worried about dampness / humidity than thinking 65*F might be too high. 12 years of dampness / humidity could destroy caps and mold out corks.
     
    #4 Jason, May 14, 2012
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  5. bfg75

    bfg75 Initiate (0) Feb 26, 2011 Washington

    Just to piggyback a bit, I don't have a cellar, only a closet and temps range from +/- 5 degrees from 65...I am not cellaring for long periods (I think the oldest thing I have is 2 years old)...It stays relatively cool in the winter but we don't have insulation and it's hard to keep the closest below 65. Should I be concerned...Sounds like from the responses in this thread that a few degrees above 65 won't really do too much damage.
     
    #5 bfg75, May 14, 2012
  6. darkmoon66

    darkmoon66 Initiate (0) Oct 8, 2011 California
    Trader

    From what I have gathered having a slightly higher temp won't have a big effect if you are only aging things for a few years. I've read temperature fluctuation and light exposure are bigger issues. If your cellar goes from 70 degrees in the summer down to 60 degrees in the winter, I don't think you will have much issue unless you are aging stuff more than a few years.
     
    #6 darkmoon66, May 14, 2012
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  7. jeepinjeepin

    jeepinjeepin Initiate (0) May 20, 2012 North Carolina

    How about on the colder side? Any effects other than slower aging?
     
    #7 jeepinjeepin, May 21, 2012
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