Cellaring question

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by brureview, Jul 27, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. brureview

    brureview Pooh-Bah (2,803) Jan 20, 2012 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    If a beer has been sitting on a store shelf (especially a higher ABV Beer) is this considered
    "cellaring"? Or does the beer have to be stored without light to be cellared?
     
    #1 brureview, Jul 27, 2012
  2. Hanzo

    Hanzo Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Virginia

    "Cellaring" in my opinion is being stored at cellar temps in the dark. What you are talking about is shelf aging, which isn't the best but depending on the beer it doesn't bother me if it sits around for a while....assuming the store doesn't allow sunlight to hit it while it is out on the shelf.
     
    #2 Hanzo, Jul 27, 2012
  3. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,775) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    I would amend that to say that cellaring is storing under controlled conditions, for a significant amount of time. On the shelf in the store is presenting for sale. Whether or not it sells in a short or long time is a different discussion. I personally am a bit leery of beers that are on the top shelf or out front regardless of time spent there.
     
    #3 JrGtr, Jul 27, 2012
  4. brureview

    brureview Pooh-Bah (2,803) Jan 20, 2012 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Thanks for your replies. If 55-60 F is a cellaring temp for higher ABV beers, how can one cellar in the summer?
    I have a chance to buy a 9% beer which has been on the shelf for 6 months. Any issues?
     
    #4 brureview, Jul 27, 2012
  5. DSlim71

    DSlim71 Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2010 New Jersey

    Only 6 months you should be fine. I recently picked up an Old Ruffian that was 4+ years old. I haven't tried it yet though.

    What beer is it, and what price? If you never had it, and the price is reasonable, I'd say take a chance on it.
     
    #5 DSlim71, Jul 27, 2012
  6. Hanzo

    Hanzo Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Virginia

    Most people that are serious about temp control will get a second fridge and a temp controller that they can set to their desired number, or something like a wine cellar. Otherwise, if it is just on a shelf in your cellar it is likely to see temp changes with the season changes.

    What style beer is it? ABV is important but style also has a lot to go with it.
     
    #6 Hanzo, Jul 27, 2012
  7. brureview

    brureview Pooh-Bah (2,803) Jan 20, 2012 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Thanks for your replies. The beer is Schlafly Bourbon Barrel aged quad. http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/583/78617

    What about beer outside the refrigerator? I generally don't store my beer in the refrigerator unless it is very low ABV. I have a Founders Porter and a Sierra Nevada wheat wine in a box. Room temp is about 70.
     
    #7 brureview, Jul 27, 2012
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.