How do you bulk age?

jacksonbrown · 12-11-2009, 01:46 PM

I'm not talking bottles here. I'm wondering how people prefer to bulk age their brews: Keg or Carboy? This is directed at beers that tend to need months of aging before their good to serve, not say, wheats or something with a quick turnaround.

Edit: I forgot to ask if you do use a keg, do you keep it at cellar temp, or in the fridge?

**Edcculus** · 12-11-2009, 01:49 PM

I've done both. I don't think it really matters either way. One good thing about kegs is you can purge them easily. Yes, it would be for a beer meant to age for 3+ months. Its said that long term aging is better in bulk than bottling after a month and aging for a year in the bottle.

jacksonbrown · 12-11-2009, 01:50 PM

I generally use a carboy myself, but if I need the room I'll transfer to a keg.
Edit: Damn, Ed! That was fast!

**Edcculus** · 12-11-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksonbrown

I generally use a carboy myself, but if I need the room I'll transfer to a keg.
Edit: Damn, Ed! That was fast!

Ha, yea its been a boring week here

Bopper · 12-11-2009, 01:55 PM

I usually primary from 4-6 weeks then rack to keg, pressurize, then put it in my brew closet. It sits there until I'm ready to tap it. Sometimes I tap it right away, sometimes I let it sit age for a year - all depends on the brew.

I almost never use a secondary.

I'd also like to vote of autolysis shmotalysis...I left a batch in the primary for 7 months once - no signs of autolysis and I have never even heard a personal account of someone having problems with it. I know it can happen but its like the monster under your bed.

niko · 12-11-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bopper359

I usually primary from 4-6 weeks then rack to keg, pressurize, then put it in my brew closet. It sits there until I'm ready to tap it. Sometimes I tap it right away, sometimes I let it sit age for a year - all depends on the brew.

I almost never use a secondary.

I'd also like to vote of autolysis shmotalysis...I left a batch in the primary for 7 months once - no signs of autolysis and I have never even heard a personal account of someone having problems with it. I know it can happen but its like the monster under your bed.

That can happen???

Bopper · 12-11-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niko

That can happen???

Touché!