Cellaring - I'm new at this

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by nick0417, Oct 23, 2014.

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  1. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Howdy, all -

    I have a question about cellaring different styles of beer. I've spent the last four or five months accumulating a nice little cellar complete with a wide range of styles - IPA's, stouts, Belgians, farmhouse ales and APAs. However, I'm curious as to how long to cellar some of these styles before things go south. I know stouts, porters and other dark beers will withstand longer cellaring periods and possibly improve during the process, however, I've heard IPA/APAs are the first things to deteriorate with too much time.

    Basically, given the volume of beer I have, I'm trying to figure out which beers need to be consumed first in order to avoid a drop-off in quality.

    Any/all help would be appreciated. Thanks!
     
    #1 nick0417, Oct 23, 2014
  2. FatBoyGotSwagger

    FatBoyGotSwagger Grand Pooh-Bah (3,999) Apr 4, 2009 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Depends on the temperature stored at. First make sure no sunlight/light comes into contact with the bottles.

    Most folks seem to agree that a prime cellar operates at 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit, this ages the beer slower than sitting on the shelf or in ones closet.

    I would caution against cellaring IPAs and APAs unless you just want to sit one bottle and see how it changes.

    If you have a smaller amount of beers you want to "cellar" get a small fridge and you can't go wrong. The beer will stay cool and away from light.

    Drink one every 6 months or so to taste the change.

    Some could start going south within a year if stored to warm or if the beer wasn't ideal to age in the first place.
     
    #2 FatBoyGotSwagger, Oct 23, 2014
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  3. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Thanks for the advice, man. My "cellar" is a dark, fairly cool space in my kitchen beneath a set of built-in's. Would you recommend I move it into my basement, for instance?
     
    #3 nick0417, Oct 23, 2014
  4. FatBoyGotSwagger

    FatBoyGotSwagger Grand Pooh-Bah (3,999) Apr 4, 2009 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I started with closets and such but found that the basement if a superior place as long as it is not summer and above 60 degrees down there.

    I would get a small fridge for the best results but the basement is how I do it. My basement if a pretty funky place which leads to my bottles being dirty(just on the outside) but it is better than a garage or under the sink.
     
    #4 FatBoyGotSwagger, Oct 23, 2014
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  5. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Noted. Much appreciate the insights, man. May very well indeed think about relocating this weekend.
     
    #5 nick0417, Oct 23, 2014
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