stevecaaster

Recipes 

Hey everyone, I have been drinking my homebrew for about 5 months now, and about 90 percent of the time I drink a homebrew I first take a couple out of the cases in my basement, then toss them in the fridge, wait 30 or so minutes, maybe a day max, then crack them open and enjoy...

Am I missing out on an important cold conditioning that occurs to bottles? I thought if anything I would be increasing the time that the yeast is active inside the warm bottles, but maybe not? Should I have these beers on the cold for at least a few weeks for prime flavor?

thanks for the help everyone,

kaptain_karma

Recipes 

Cold conditioning is essential for some styles. However, for most ales, the issues is solubility of carbon dioxide gas in the liquid beer. Even at room temp, there will be CO2 dissolved in the beer. However, colder temperatures increase the amount of CO2 that can be dissolved into the beer. If you leave your beer in the fridge a few days before drinking, it allows time for the gas pressure between the cap and the surface of beer in the bottle to force CO2 into solution. The result is a fully carbonated beer with itty bitty bubbles drifting up through your beer making a heavenly fine head, and that delightful tingle on your tounge.

Slappy White

Recipes 

I am not very experienced but I have let a few of my beers sit in the fridge for about a week and have definately tasted a positive difference from the ones that I just let sit in there for about an hour. I still allow the beer to stay in the bottle at warmer temperatures(65-72) for at least 3 weeks before putting it in the fridge.

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"Good people drink good beer." -Hunter S. Thompson
Apfelwein and beer...

homebrewer_99

Recipes 

I like placing my bottles in the fridge for at least 2 weeks also. IMHO it does change the flavor/texture, etc.

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HB Bill

scinerd3000

Recipes 

does it matter if you store them at room temp for a prolonged period of time? say a few months then pop them in the fridge? im low on space and trying to figure out where to put my residual brews.

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On Hiatus: Brewing at work....

homebrewer_99

Recipes 

AFAIK, no. I do it that way also.

Whenever I take 1-2 out I replace it with a warm one (place it in the back and bring the others in there to the front).

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HB Bill

Slappy White

Recipes 

In my experience it is fine to keep the beer at room temp for awhile. Some beers benefit from prolonged periods of time at room temp.

__________________
"Good people drink good beer." -Hunter S. Thompson
Apfelwein and beer...

Bob Loblaw

Recipes 

beer fridge!

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"Brevior saltare cum deformibus mulieribus est vita" - Life is too short to dance with ugly women

Primary 1: Raspberry Hefe
Primary 2: Phat Tyre
Secondary 1: Kelly's Killer Porter (dry-hopped)
On Tap: Irish Stout, IPA, Brown Ale, Apfelwein, ESB, Pissed off Porter, Aaron's Bitter,Smoked Porter,American PA

scinerd3000

Recipes 

whats more efficient, a freezer or fridge? both obviously with a temp control unit...but which is better?

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On Hiatus: Brewing at work....