Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Sorry Guest, you are banned from posting and sending personal messages on this forum.
This ban is set to expire October 13, 2024, 08:19:18 am.

Author Topic: Cellaring Beer  (Read 4700 times)

Offline greyghost

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 21
Cellaring Beer
« on: October 04, 2012, 11:35:18 pm »
When cellaring beer bottles with corks long term. Do you leave them standing or lay them on there sides like wine

Offline punatic

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4583
  • Puna District, Hawaii Island (UTC -10)
Re: Cellaring Beer
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2012, 11:45:53 pm »
Bottles with natural one piece or agglomerated corks need to be stored on their sides or upside down. The corks need to be kept wet to keep them from drying out and shrinking. Bottles with synthetic corks can be stored upright.   
There is only one success: to be able to spend your life in your own way.


AHA Life Member #33907

Offline majorvices

  • Global Moderator
  • I must live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 11332
  • Polka. If its too loud you're too young.
Cellaring Beer
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2012, 05:25:52 am »
There is some debate on the topic. There's a good article on "Beer Advocate" about cellaring beer. Unfortunately it looks like the page won't load anymore.

Offline redbeerman

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1849
  • On the banks of the mighty Susquehanna in MD
Re: Cellaring Beer
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2012, 05:28:57 am »
There is some debate on the topic. There's a good article on "Beer Advocate" about cellaring beer. Unfortunately it looks like the page won't load anymore.

There is indeed.  I had heard that the folks at Ommegang recommended cellering in the upright position.  Something about the internal pressure from the CO2.  I do cellar my wine on its side in a temperature controlled cabinet.
CH3CH2OH - Without it, life itself would be impossible.

[441, 112.1deg] AR

Jim

Offline erockrph

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7792
  • Chepachet, RI
    • The Hop WHisperer
Re: Cellaring Beer
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2012, 07:18:07 am »
There is indeed.  I had heard that the folks at Ommegang recommended cellering in the upright position.  Something about the internal pressure from the CO2.

They would proably have a good idea about that. I cracked into a 4 year-old Ommegang Biere de Mars not too long ago and the CO2 pressure was enough to forcefully bounce the cork off my ceiling the second I started untwisting the cage. I think it held a seal pretty well. I'm not sure if champagne-style cork vs regular wine corks make a difference, though.
Eric B.

Finally got around to starting a homebrewing blog: The Hop Whisperer

Offline punatic

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4583
  • Puna District, Hawaii Island (UTC -10)
Re: Cellaring Beer
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2012, 08:09:32 am »
There is some debate on the topic.

Isn't there always?
There is only one success: to be able to spend your life in your own way.


AHA Life Member #33907

Offline kylekohlmorgen

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1363
  • Saint Louis, MO
    • The South House Pilot Brewery
Re: Cellaring Beer
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2012, 08:29:23 am »
*sigh*

Life is too short to "cellar" beer.
Twitter/Instagram: @southhousebrew

Recipes, Brett/Bacteria Experiments: http://SouthHouseBeer.com/

Offline euge

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8017
  • Ego ceruisam ad bibere cervisiam
Re: Cellaring Beer
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2012, 08:31:54 am »
*sigh*

Life is too short to "cellar" beer.

+10
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline Joe Sr.

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4467
  • Chicago - NORTH SIDE
Re: Cellaring Beer
« Reply #8 on: October 05, 2012, 08:59:22 am »
*sigh*

Life is too short to "cellar" beer.

+10

I've found the only ones I can successfully cellar are those I didn't enjoy too much in the first place...
It's all in the reflexes. - Jack Burton

Offline majorvices

  • Global Moderator
  • I must live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 11332
  • Polka. If its too loud you're too young.
Cellaring Beer
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2012, 10:35:54 am »
Link works now. Haven't read through it so not sure it is the same one

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/101/store

Offline bluesman

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8825
  • Delaware
Cellaring Beer
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2012, 04:43:43 pm »
Very good article from BA. I tend to agree with most of their advice. Cellaring corked bottles upright is a viable method in my experience. This allows for the yeast to settle to the bottom of the bottle in a cake as opposed to the side of the bottle when stored laying down.

Corked beer stored upright that has been cellared properly will hold CO2 pressure and pours bright in most cases. Naturally, this is all dependent upon proper sanitation and handling of the beer during fermentation and packaging.
Ron Price

Offline greyghost

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 21
Re: Cellaring Beer
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2012, 11:36:41 pm »
Link works now. Haven't read through it so not sure it is the same one

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/101/store

Thank You for the link. Very interesting read. I think I will go with there advice. I am cellaring some Samuel Adams triple bock. I have 1994,1996 and 1997 there was no 1995. I love it. Open a bottle every year around the holidays.