Storing Dark Beers · CigarBid Forums

Free Fall
Auctions

Specials
Auctions

QuickBuy
Auctions

Newly Added
Auctions

Ending Soon
Auctions

Welcome Guest

Forum Terms & Conditions | My Topics

Palama
Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter

Monday, May 17, 2021 1:36:37 AM

Due to the gathering restrictions brought about because of COVID and his work schedule, my cigar-smoking nephew and I haven’t had a chance to herf at his Dad’s gravesite for almost two years. As such, my inventory of Deschutes Abyss and other stouts has remained almost untouched. While they are in a temperature controlled storage site at 74 F, I’m wondering if there’s a time limit as far as keeping them in storage. The bulk of the beers are from 2014 through 2016.

I know, I know, I should just drink them and find out but easier said than done given our babysitting duties during the week.

So anyway, any sage advice with beer storage and how long I can keep them?

ZRX1200
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 3:03:31 AM

Indefinite AFAIK....big stouts like that smooth out.

Sunoverbeach
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 6:56:24 AM

One article I've read said 3-5yrs, but not able to verify with my baby stash (both small and young). Guessing there's probably a sweet spot per brew but added years wouldn't likely make it undrinkable.

Semi-related question. I've got a couple bottles that are entirely too sweet. Will aging lessen that aspect or make it worse?

deadeyedick
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 8:36:40 AM

From my experience it depends somewhat on the % alc . Abyss and others well above 10% have been great after 5-6 years and counting. Some others at lesser % start to flatten out after 3-4 years but don't go bad.

Speyside
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 9:54:59 AM

Conan, it truly is a matter of tast.

ZRX1200
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 10:23:41 AM

SOB a sweet beer is gonna stay sweet.

teedubbya
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 10:38:35 AM

I've got imperial stouts and bourbon barrel stouts older than that. Never been an issue so far. Mine are actually refrigerated though which may be worse than how you have them.

Sunoverbeach
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 10:44:48 AM

Thanks Z. That's what I was afraid of

teedubbya
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 10:58:37 AM

Thanks Z. That's what I was afraid of

Sunoverbeach wrote:

If too sweet to drink (for your taste)... could experiment with them and hops. Might be a terrible idea but if they will be discarded anyway whats the difference. Might learn something. i've never played around with small amounts of hops and a finished beer. Might be a terrible idea but unless you talk to someone who has or research it there is only one other way to find out.

Edited by user Monday, May 17, 2021 11:13:16 AM | Reason: Not specified

Palama
Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter

Monday, May 17, 2021 1:30:53 PM

#10

Thanks everyone!

Tim - why would putting the beers in a refrigerator be a (potentially) bad thing?

teedubbya
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 1:36:48 PM

#11

Thanks everyone!

Tim - why would putting the beers in a refrigerator be a (potentially) bad thing?

Palama wrote:

Don't know. Not saying it would be, I just don't know enough about it to be intelligent so I consider the possibility. It's just how my brain works. We need thundergerbil and/or pliny to come to the rescue.

Edited by user Monday, May 17, 2021 1:37:22 PM | Reason: Not specified

ZRX1200
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 3:00:34 PM

#12

The last article from a brewery I read was idea aging of high abv% dark beers was 58-75° but to be honest I do NOT remember who the brewer was that was being interviewed or if it was from one of the Deschutes emails that include articles.

ZRX1200
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 3:13:06 PM

#13

SOB I tried a German beer years ago that was new to me, pretty sure it was marked malted something or other, it had a red and silver labe that looked cool. It was like 14.something% abv.....it tasted HORRIBLY sweet.....told the store manager (local beer shpo) that he should destroy every bottle immediately I even offered to pay for half. Thankfully I haven’t seen it since the TWO YEARS it took him to move the bottles.

Speyside
Herf-A-Holic

Monday, May 17, 2021 5:59:54 PM

#14

If the ABV is the same ale will always seem sweeter than lager. It has more esters. This leads to greater body and perceived sweetness. Also as Z mentioned the higher ABV'S give greater perception of sweetness. Then there is the amount of residual sugar to consider.