Sampling and recapping cellar beers...

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Justinbshelton, Nov 26, 2015.

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  1. Justinbshelton

    Justinbshelton Pundit (838) Feb 1, 2012 Alabama

    Does anyone do this? I can see carbonation being off the next time. That could be remedied with a bit of sugar in the bottle before recapping, but I'm afraid that would throw off the flavors of the beer. I've had a glass from a bomber before and then plugged it with a silicone wine bottle stopper and put it back in the fridge for up to a week with no problems. All thoughts are appreciated.
     
    #1 Justinbshelton, Nov 26, 2015
  2. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Carbonation aside, the amount of oxygen in the bottle will make the beer start to oxidize rapidly. It can produce a nice sherry-like sweetness in some beers, but most of the time it does not improve the flavor of the beer. Using one of those pump stoppers to suck out the oxygen might help this but I've never tried using those for beer so I don't know for sure. In short, no, I wouldn't make it a habit.
     
    #2 Immortale25, Nov 26, 2015
  3. youradhere

    youradhere Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2008 Washington

    I wouldn't recommend doing this, silicone stopper for a week is one thing. Opening and then resealing a bottle for long term aging invites mold spores carried in the air, bacteria in the air/cap/your hands will almost assuredly guarantee an unwanted consequence in addition to depressurizing the bottle and loss of dissolved CO2 through what you propose.

    If you are hell bent on doing this, try it on a less valuable bottle (perhaps a brown or esb) open, recap, and cellar for 2 months and see if you like the end product.
     
    #3 youradhere, Nov 26, 2015
  4. Justinbshelton

    Justinbshelton Pundit (838) Feb 1, 2012 Alabama

    Thanks, guys. Hadn't thought about oxidation.
     
    #4 Justinbshelton, Dec 2, 2015
  5. JonnyBeers

    JonnyBeers Savant (1,211) Oct 24, 2012 Canada (BC)

    I've done 1-2 days but you really start to notice the oxidation after day 1.
     
    #5 JonnyBeers, Dec 3, 2015
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