"Cellar" at 60-80 degrees or Wine fridge?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by harshersh, Jul 8, 2015.

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  1. harshersh

    harshersh Initiate (0) Jan 29, 2015 Nevada

    I went through a couple threads that recommend 55-60 degrees cellarring and not to lay beers flat, but I unfortunately dont have the ability to store at that temperature AND keep them upright. I have a small collection that I can fit in a wine fridge but 2/3 of the beer have to be laid horizontal. If not in that wine fridge, I can keep them in an enclosed dark cabinet in which the house fluctuates between maybe 60-89 degrees year round. I figured the wine fridge would be the better option if I had to choose between the two?
     
    #1 harshersh, Jul 8, 2015
  2. esimonoff

    esimonoff Initiate (0) Dec 2, 2014 California

    People go back and forth over if upright storage is necessary. That tells me that whatever difference storage position may impart on a beer is not nearly noticeable enough to be substantive.

    Storage temperature is way more important and that is ~universally agreed upon. I'm sure most would tell you to prioritize storage temp over position.

    Cheers!
     
    #2 esimonoff, Jul 8, 2015
  3. deadsincebirth

    deadsincebirth Initiate (0) Jul 24, 2014 Illinois

    Oxford Companion recommends upright at 52-55 degrees. Depends on how long you plan on aging your beers but 80 seems high.
     
    #3 deadsincebirth, Jul 8, 2015
  4. boilermakerbrew

    boilermakerbrew Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2010 Indiana

    The whole sideways/upright debate is more of a question of closing method. Cork and cage or just cork could be stored horizontal, or at least turned occasionally to moisten the cork. Crowns on the other hand actually should be upright to avoid the beer damaging the crown liner.

    I keep my cellar upright in a cabinet behind my bar in my basement. It is on an exterior wall and my basement is mostly above ground, so the temperature does fluctuate from ~50 in the winter to ~80 in the hottest months. I've been in this house a year now and have had no noticeable ill affects to my beers.
     
    #4 boilermakerbrew, Jul 8, 2015
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