sross

Recipes 

I am wonder at what ABV does a beer have to be in order for it to age well. I am planning on doing a strong ale that is anywhere from 8 to 10 percent abv. It will not be a barley wine! tell me if I should go higher.

BrainBeerBrewer

Recipes 

Not too experienced with big beers, but 8-10 is definitely big enough to age. Just be careful about oxidation especially when bottling.

klnosaj

Recipes 

ABV isn't the only indicator by any means. I have an English Old ale that's ~5.5% that's been aging (and getting better) for months. Also, many Belgian-style beers benefit from long aging times. Typically, the more complex the recipe and/or the addition of adjunct sugars means a benefit is to be gained by aging. Many high ABV beers (e.g. Arrogant Bastard) aren't aged at all and don't benefit from it. Best of luck!

bmick

Recipes 

At a beer dinner with Sam Calagione (who should know), he said his lab folks indentified 8% - 10% as a good range for beers that can age a few years (1-3) and then 10%+ as best if you're going to age any longer than that. Had some 2006 120 Minute IPA that night...unreal.

david_42

Recipes 

That's plenty high. Keep in mind that hoppy beers lose their nose after 9-12 months, so the best aging beers are ones that are on the malty side.

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TwoGunz

Recipes 

When you say age, how long are you talking about. So far I prefer most of my beers with some months on em.

passedpawn

Recipes 

I've got a RIS, strong scotch, and a barleywine 3 years old. They are all FAR better now than they were when they were young. But I think I'm going to drink them up before I run into problems with losing carbonation.

I held onto a beer for 24 years and it had lost ALL carbonation. So I'd say 24 years is a little long (unless you really like soy sauce).

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TwoGunz

Recipes 

24 years, good lord! I primary for at least 10 years to "let the yeast do their thing", but 24 years is serious.

keesh

Recipes 

Maybe try oxygen fixing caps for extended aging, I've heard they help for long term (3+ years).

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Primary - Alpine Nelson Clone
Bottled - SMaSH pale v.2, Kolsch, Pliny the Younger clone, Centennial Blonde
On deck - EdWort's Haus Pale, Uber Insane Mocha Oatmeal Bourbon Oaked Stout

mcaple1

Recipes 

You "primary" for 10 years???????