Cellaring/refrigeration

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by DocJitsu, Dec 22, 2012.

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  1. DocJitsu

    DocJitsu Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2009 Florida

    I don't have a cellar, but I have my beer fridge in the garage. Is it acceptable to age beers in my refrigerator? Or will the lower temperature affect how the beers age? Anyone know the science behind that?
     
    #1 DocJitsu, Dec 22, 2012
  2. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Chemical reactions proceed more slowly at lower temperatures (and some won't happen at all). Crudely speaking, the lower the temperature the slower beer will age. If you're looking for the beer to change with time storing in a fridge will slow the process.
     
    #2 stupac2, Dec 22, 2012
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  3. Arodnum1

    Arodnum1 Initiate (0) May 14, 2012

    i store at about 55 degrees for all my beer, make sure its out of the sunlight and you should be good
     
    #3 Arodnum1, Dec 22, 2012
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  4. NickMunford

    NickMunford Pooh-Bah (2,094) Oct 2, 2006 Wyoming
    Pooh-Bah

    #4 NickMunford, Dec 22, 2012
  5. DocJitsu

    DocJitsu Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2009 Florida

    Excellent resource! Thank you. I may yet have to go with the fridge simply due to lack of a better option. At least there, the temperature will remain constant and out of the light.
     
    #5 DocJitsu, Dec 22, 2012
  6. Arodnum1

    Arodnum1 Initiate (0) May 14, 2012

    honestly i just bought a plastic storage container and put it in the basement, just for my amusement i threw a thermometer in there and it stays anywhere from 50-60, which im fine with, beer fridge stays about 35-40
     
    #6 Arodnum1, Dec 22, 2012
  7. DocJitsu

    DocJitsu Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2009 Florida

    We don't have basements out here in Santa Barbara County. And while the weather is certainly a reason to live out here, it can get hot sometimes and cold at others. The tempature can vary 30-40 degrees in the same 12 hour period. We don't have air conditioning (most here on the Central Coast don't), so there's no way to climate control my garage. So I'm kind of hit. I have to wait until winter out here just to homebrew. Otherwise, the house warms up too much in the daytime (sometimes as warm as 80 degrees) and the higher fermentation temps create an off flavor in my beer. Speaking of which, I have a hopeful batch of Surly Abrasive clone in secondary right now. That's a little tangential, but I'm excited about how it's going to turn out. Forgive me.
     
    #7 DocJitsu, Dec 22, 2012
  8. Arodnum1

    Arodnum1 Initiate (0) May 14, 2012

    was unaware, well anyways good luck my friend, hope you find something that can fit you, you might be able to buy something that keeps your stock at a constant 50 degrees, like a wine cooler... expensive, but if you want the best conditions for aging it might be a good option, hope your surly abrasive comes out well
     
    #8 Arodnum1, Dec 22, 2012
  9. DocJitsu

    DocJitsu Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2009 Florida

    That might not be a bad investment. Thanks for the homebrew well-wishes. Merry Christmas!
     
    #9 DocJitsu, Dec 22, 2012
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  10. AxesandAnchors

    AxesandAnchors Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2012 Oregon

    #10 AxesandAnchors, Dec 23, 2012
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  11. cityofFestivals

    cityofFestivals Initiate (0) Sep 13, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Wasn't sure where to put this question, so I did a search and this seemed like the best thread...

    If I bought a couple bottles to cellar, and they were already refrigerated, should I just keep them refrigerated or would I be able to put them where I properly cellar my other stuff? I maintain a climate controlled spot for my cellared beer, but I've never put something that was already refrigerated in there.

    Will that temp fluctuation compromise the integrity of the beer?
     
    #11 cityofFestivals, Jan 19, 2013
  12. AxesandAnchors

    AxesandAnchors Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2012 Oregon

    Put it in your cellar. You want to avoid regular temperature fluctuation, but what you're describing is fine. If you leave it in the fridge two things will happen (depending how your cellar is set up), one it will be exposed to light every time you open the fridge, and second the temperature will slow (or halt) the maturation process.
     
    #12 AxesandAnchors, Jan 19, 2013
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  13. cityofFestivals

    cityofFestivals Initiate (0) Sep 13, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Outstanding! Thank you for the heads up and quick reply. I appreciate the insight!
     
    #13 cityofFestivals, Jan 19, 2013
  14. AxesandAnchors

    AxesandAnchors Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2012 Oregon

    No problem.
     
    #14 AxesandAnchors, Jan 19, 2013
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