Heat wave, is my cellar screwed?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Kapagna, Jun 12, 2015.

?

Is my beer screwed?

  1. Yes

    3 vote(s)
    9.4%

  2. No

    29 vote(s)
    90.6%
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  1. Kapagna

    Kapagna Initiate (0) Oct 5, 2012 California

    Just moved from SF to San Jose where the temperature is typically higher and fluctuates more. I was trying to figure out which part of my place would be best for me to cellar a few beers. We have a spare fridge, but my wife is sick of my beer hobby, so I try to keep them away from her.

    So early this week there was a heat wave and the dark closet where I have my new stash went from 70 overnight to 90 in the afternoon. I figure I shouldn't store stuff here long term, but did one day of really big temperature fluctuations ruin the few beers I already have in there (a 2015 Stickee Monkey and a 10th anniversary Allagash Curieux magnum)?
     
    #1 Kapagna, Jun 12, 2015
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  2. Sneex

    Sneex Initiate (0) Jul 25, 2014 Rhode Island

    Based on my experience, most of it should be okay as long as the temperature comes down, though it may age differently. Brett-fermented stuff may be ruined with phenols, though; even 70 is hot enough to put some good band-aids in your brett beers.

    Your best bet is definitely to use the spare fridge and turn the temperature up to 55ish if you can.
     
    #2 Sneex, Jun 12, 2015
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  3. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Unless it got really hot and for a prolonged period of time you're ok. I used my closet to cellar beers for awhile. When i started using a temp control setup I noticed that the beers I aged in the closet aged faster. I wouldn't leave a beers to cellar more than 3 years, but that's based on my minimal experience.
     
    #3 GetMeAnIPA, Jun 12, 2015
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  4. BeerBob

    BeerBob Initiate (0) May 30, 2002 Nebraska

    Its a time and temperature thing. A onetime transgression effect will be minimal and maybe even unnoticeable. A high temperature environment accelerates the way phyto proteins https://www.google.com/search?q=fitoproteans&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=phyto+proteins interact and coagulate with rest of the liquid environment of acids and bases https://www.google.com/search?q=acids+and+baces&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=acids+and+bases . essentially, cellaring https://www.google.com/search?q=cellering&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=cellaring is a form of slow cooking in the most favorable environment.
     
    #4 BeerBob, Jun 12, 2015
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  5. iong516

    iong516 Initiate (0) Jul 4, 2013 Pennsylvania

    I don't think your dark closet realistically got 90..
     
    #5 iong516, Jun 12, 2015
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  6. TrojanRB

    TrojanRB Grand Pooh-Bah (3,779) Jul 27, 2013 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    At least in wine, temperature cycling has been shown to break down beer.

    Just buy a small (or big) wine fridge and store there. They are pretty affordable.

    I grew up in SJ....lots of extreme temp swings.
     
    #6 TrojanRB, Jun 12, 2015
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  7. ChefBeer

    ChefBeer Initiate (0) Dec 21, 2014 California
    Trader

    I put a AC unit in my room were I have over 12 cases of beer in my closet. When the Temp goes up past 65 in my room the AC kicks in and drops the room down to 60. I live in South Los Angeles and have had crazy heat waves later in the summer. I've been doing this for over 5 years now and haven't had 1 bad beer come out of my closet. I also have wine in there from 2000 and just opened one the other night and it tasted Delicious.
     
    #7 ChefBeer, Jun 12, 2015
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  8. readyski

    readyski Pooh-Bah (1,557) Jun 4, 2005 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Think interior closet on floor for your "cellar" and hopefully you live close to the bay. Don't let them get above 70. Agree with the limited life in those environs (3-5 yrs), and as usual ship me your problem beers for proper disposal :wink:
     
    #8 readyski, Jun 12, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2015
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  9. Yargamo

    Yargamo Initiate (0) Jun 9, 2015 New York

    If it were my beer and I didnt have a cellar I would store in the fridge. Why risk it. Besides, 70 degrees is way to high to store any beer IMO
     
    #9 Yargamo, Jun 12, 2015
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  10. Kapagna

    Kapagna Initiate (0) Oct 5, 2012 California

    The closet is upstairs in a poorly insulated house. The kitchen thermometer that I use said that the temp fluctuated between 70 and 90 within 24 hours. It gets pretty damn hot and uncomfortable in this place. I don't think the bottles heated up to 90, but the room probably did.
     
    #10 Kapagna, Jun 18, 2015
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