Climate controlled storage units

At the beginning of July, I started to rent storage at a wine cellar at a storage place a couple of blocks from me. My space has room for 12 California Cases (roughly 144 bombers/750 ml). Although you pay for the year upfront, it only ran $11.50 a month plus the first month was free. The cellar is maintained at a constant 50-55 degrees F and 60-70% humidity. I don't know how common this is in the Worcester area, but dedicated wine cellars are becoming more and more common in Chicago. When I looked into it, the cost was much more reasonable than I was expecting. I'm certainly not the only one there that uses it mainly for beer.

I did compare climate-controlled storage units and the sizes were much larger than needed, thus much more expensive, so I didn't even bother checking into whether they were adjustable unit-to-unit or not. I'd see if there are any storage places in your area that provide wine storage.

 

That is incredibly reasonable. I was paying $15/mo for a similarly sized unit in Denver and thought I was getting a great deal. Same humidity/temp specs are yours.

 

What one? I have a spot at http://www.kentcellars.com/.

 

I have had wine storage cellars for years. It is the only way to go if you're going to store any quantity. My cellar is a very large cave under a historical hotel and kept at 55 degrees; it's perfect. My beer cellar is now larger than my wine cellar.

However, a word of caution. Don't do what I've done the past few years. I've become so caught up in our current beer revolution that I buy and store too much! I was buying indescriminately because I had the space for storage. I've found that I've ruined (or, in many case just not improved) many bottles. Push come to shove, I suggest discrimination in use of storage. I've found that, indeed, fresher is better in almost all cases. My cellar, at this point, is primarily gueuzes, lambics, wild ales and the like - things that can take it. There are many others, of course, but I'm trying to practice what I preach and drink things sooner rather than later in most cases. (And, as I learned with wine for which I've had cellars for over 40 years, and while it's fun to drink what you age, there is simply no shortage of good beer whenever you might want it!)

Have fun. There is no question but that having good storage makes tasting fun as you experience your acquisitions change over the months/years - sometimes good, sometimes bad! All interesting!

 

I would probably just go with this! http://www.winecoolerexpert.com/ge-monogram-wine-vault.html

 

I wonder if I can get my GE employee discount on that thing.

 

East Bank Wine Storage at Lake and Halsted. http://eastbankwine.com/

 

I rented one from August of last year until about the end of the year. I actually rented a wine room (10'x20') for all of my beer (then about 1650 bottles). It worked out great. I had to pack everything up and out of my house pretty quickly, so nothing was marked and that was a bit of a pain when I wanted to find something. The place had great hours, and though it was a little on the expensive side, I booked it through their online booking, and got a better rate, saving about $60/month.

 

Am I the only one who thinks this is sexy?

 

Those are awesome, but also run like $16k-$20k to get one purchased and installed. And I haven't read anywhere that they are energystar rated, so unless you've got a field full of solar panels, be prepared for a shockingly large electricity bill.

 

and personally, I'm more partial to this: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...a=X&ei=aiccUMGMJeSH6QGo3oHAAg&ved=0CBcQ9QEwAw

Which is like $30k to get one installed...

 

Psh, $30,000 wine vaults? For only a measly $6,500, this walk-in beer cellar lets you store you're bottle upright and have beer on tap.

http://www.kegerators.com/equipment/beer-cave-kegerator.php

Did I win? Did I?

 

Unfortunately, I'd need 3 of these to store every bottle currently in my cellar...but at least it's on sale...

 

You would not be impressed. I don't have fancy storage. All of my wine and beer is just in labeled boxes (most of them "Bruery" boxes since I buy just about whatever Patrick and crew produce! One day perhaps I'll do it fancy but, for now, simple labeled boxes seem to work for me. Beer all stored upright; wine all stored upside down.

 

This thread makes me sad and scared!

 

Wait....did you say 1650 bottles???!!!

 

Yes, at the end of last year it was about 1650...now down to about 1400, give or take 50