Aging Mikkeller Imperial Stout

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by NeoSmeers, Feb 14, 2014.

Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. NeoSmeers

    NeoSmeers Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2014 Canada (AB)

    Heyo, this is my first post on the BA forums, and I'd just like to start by thanking the creators and the members for building a great community around such a great thing.
    I'm aging an Imperial Stout, 18%ABV, shelf life ends Nov 2022. It's dark as night and smooth as velvet. I've got two bottles and am planning on storing one of them for two years. Problem is, I live in Alberta, Canada. We've got frigid winters and blazing summers; living in an apartment, my storage solutions are rather limited. Now, because of the summer heat, I'm wondering what I could use to store it in during those months, I was thinking a small cooler would work well.
     
    #1 NeoSmeers, Feb 14, 2014
  2. NeoSmeers

    NeoSmeers Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2014 Canada (AB)

    To be specific, it's the Mikkeller Black (not Black on Black)
     
    #2 NeoSmeers, Feb 14, 2014
  3. JasonLovesBeer

    JasonLovesBeer Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2013 Canada (BC)

    If you are planning to make a bit of a habit of aging special beers, I would encourage you to consider a small wine cooler. They aren't too expensive (Home Depot, Canadian Tire, etc has a good selection), look pretty fancy, and hold appropriate temperatures (low to mid 50's is good). You can convert an old fridge with a temperature controller too, but are generally too big (and too ugly) for apartments. You can get 12-bottle countertop wine coolers that will fit just about anywhere.

    But if such an investment's not on the table, the universal recommendation will be to store it in the dark and in the most temperature stable location you have available - probably a closet. Near the floor will get you the coolest air. So behind the shoes in your closet that's away from exterior walls is going to be your best bet
     
    #3 JasonLovesBeer, Feb 14, 2014
  4. NeoSmeers

    NeoSmeers Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2014 Canada (AB)

    Thanks, I might look into wine coolers, see if there's something I can keep it vertical in. I just read that when it's on it's side, because more of the beer is exposed to the inter-bottle atmosphere, it oxidizes quicker.
     
    #4 NeoSmeers, Feb 14, 2014
  5. JasonLovesBeer

    JasonLovesBeer Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2013 Canada (BC)

    Most of them hold them at a bit of an angle, enough that the 'bubble' would probably be not much bigger - but, that being said, most models you can pull the racks out of and store the bottles upright with similar capacity
     
    #5 JasonLovesBeer, Feb 14, 2014
  6. NeoSmeers

    NeoSmeers Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2014 Canada (AB)

    Hmm. thanks for the heads up.
     
    #6 NeoSmeers, Feb 15, 2014
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.