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04-07-2009, 01:30 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Holderness, NH
Posts: 498
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Is there a rule of thumb for aging based on O.G.?
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I know that smallish beers tend to be better young, while big beers can require months or even years to mature. And from what I've gathered, simple recipes can often be drank younger than more complex recipes (lots of specialty grains) which can take longer for the flavors to mellow.
What I'm wondering is if there is a good rule of thumb for how long to age an ale based on its original gravity. For instance, I'll generally crack open my first bottle from a batch with O.G. 1.050 about 6 weeks after brew day. My barleywine (O.G. 1.102) is bulk aging and I don't think I'll have my first taste until 9 months or a year. Should I let my 1.070 stout age for 3 months before drinking? Should my 1.095 Imperial Stout go for 5 months first?
I plan to allow all of these beers to continue to mature after I start drinking them (I try to ration myself as best I can...), but is there any way to make an educated guess when I can start sampling them? I mean, it seems like it would be a waste to open any bottles that are clearly still green. Does anyone have a general rule they follow after brewing a bigish beer for the first time, or do people just go with their "gut" feeling? I know this might be a tough question because it will obviously vary between styles and whatnot. Maybe I should qualify it with "all other things being equal." Thanks.
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04-07-2009, 01:39 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA
Posts: 2,059
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumbo82
I know that smallish beers tend to be better young, while big beers can require months or even years to mature. And from what I've gathered, simple recipes can often be drank younger than more complex recipes (lots of specialty grains) which can take longer for the flavors to mellow.
What I'm wondering is if there is a good rule of thumb for how long to age an ale based on its original gravity..
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Not really. IPAs are generally fairly high gravity, but hops decay over time so they're best drunk pretty young. Many lambics are very low gravity but need a year or two (or more) to peak.
__________________
On deck: Little Bo Pils, Bretta Off Dead (Brett pale)
Secondary: Oude Bruin, Red Sky at Morning (Sour brown ale)
On tap: Saison Duphunk (sour), Amarillo Slim (IPA), Earl White (ginger/bergamot wit)
Bottled: Number 8 (Belgian Strong Dark Ale), Eternale (Barleywine), Ancho Villa (Ancho/pasilla/chocolate/cinnamon RIS), Oak smoked porter (1/2 maple bourbon oaked, 1/2 apple brandy oaked)
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04-07-2009, 01:00 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 118
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I would say its a combination of style and OG. Even low OG stouts and porters need more aging to allow all the flavors to blend and mature. Same with high OG simple recipies.
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TreeTop Brewing
Primary:
Bottled: ESB, Belgian Pale, Belgian Dubbel, Pumpkin Ale, Vanilla Bourbon Porter, Chile Pepper Porter
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04-07-2009, 01:03 PM
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#4
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Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: "Detroitish" Michigan
Posts: 36,050
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__________________
Revvy's one of the cool reverends. He has a Harley and a t-shirt that says on the back "If you can read this, the bitch was Raptured. - Madman
I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac! - YooperBrew
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04-07-2009, 01:04 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Posts: 2,887
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I usually follow this handy chart:
(Man, it's been a long time since I've been able to use that  )
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Catt22
I would never use a dead mouse in my beer. It's much better to use live ones. You could probably just steep a dead one, but live ones must be mashed. Actually, smashed and mashed would be best.
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04-07-2009, 01:07 PM
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#6
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Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: "Detroitish" Michigan
Posts: 36,050
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Quote:
Originally Posted by llazy_llama
I usually follow this handy chart:
(Man, it's been a long time since I've been able to use that ) |
__________________
Revvy's one of the cool reverends. He has a Harley and a t-shirt that says on the back "If you can read this, the bitch was Raptured. - Madman
I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac! - YooperBrew
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04-07-2009, 01:09 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 605
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That is one very nice chart Llama. I am going to print it out in case I need an estimate for when to bottle my beers.
=)
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04-07-2009, 03:31 PM
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#8
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More Humann than human
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: the sun
Posts: 15,108
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Yes Llama, I will never have another regarding aging time if I use your handy chart. I think I am going to print it now and keep it in my back pocket actually just so I don't forget.
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04-07-2009, 03:35 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 148
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Thats going on the wall in my brew room.
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I'm married to yeast.
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04-07-2009, 05:12 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Holderness, NH
Posts: 498
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Revvy
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Thanks, Revvy! Exactly what I was looking for. I wish I had been able to find that thread before I started almost the exact same one. At least I got to see a handy O.G. vs time chart this way 
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