How long will a keg last at room temp

Brewin_CRAZY · 06-12-2009, 04:43 AM

So I know that there have been many forums asking how long a beer lasts in a keg. But all the answers seem to lean toward, "when cold, or the colder the better" I dont have a ton of cold storage space and my brewing has really taken off lately if a keg is pressurized at room temp (70 F) how long do they last? I have been brewing a long time but im fairly new to keging and only have space for two kegs in the fridge. Im working on more but those darn fiances tend to get in the way.

If this has already been addressed just direct me to the forum, I couldnt find one, Thanks!!!!

wormsgetsold · 06-12-2009, 04:56 AM

It depends on the beer from what I understand. I left a non descript 4.6% ale in a keg at 75* for 5 months, not meaning to-just forgot about it, with no ill effects compared to the same beer I bottled. I don't know much though. How long are you looking to hold the keg?

gxm · 06-12-2009, 04:56 AM

I wouldn't worry about 70F. If it gets to 80 or 90, I'd find a friend with a basement.
I have found cold conditioning to help my beers, but they still get better with time at higher temps, it just might take longer.

**wilserbrewer** · 06-12-2009, 04:58 AM

Difficult to say...depends really on the type of beer and the sanitation involved. A barleywine w/ proper sanition, probably years. A session ale w/ poor sanitation, a few weeks/months I would guess??

Brewin_CRAZY · 06-12-2009, 05:20 AM

Ahh, well first off thanks for the quick reply. So it looks like I will be fine. My "man cave" has its moments of high temps, but in the house it stays at or below 75 F. I always assumed that a pressurized keg would last just like a bottled beer. I try to keep very good sanitation so I think that ill be ok. I just wanted to make sure that my beer wouldnt go bad outside the kegerator. Thanks guys! Feel free to add to the post, the more info the better!

carl spakler · 06-12-2009, 12:13 PM

How is that state any different than what a typical beer shelf is at the packy? The beer stores around here tend to be in the low 70's for temp, and so long as the container isn't leaking the beer is under CO2 pressure. The keg is also lightproof so you don't have that to worry about either.

**Yooper** · 06-12-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl spakler

How is that state any different than what a typical beer shelf is at the packy? The beer stores around here tend to be in the low 70's for temp, and so long as the container isn't leaking the beer is under CO2 pressure. The keg is also lightproof so you don't have that to worry about either.

True enough- but remember that commercial beer is pasteurized. Commercial beer is generally meant to sit on the shelves in beer stores.

Homebrew, though, is pretty tough and you can keep it a very long time as long as you've observed proper sanitation. Just like bottled homebrew, some beers age well (like barleywine) and some start to lose flavor after a few months (like IPAs with all of the hops). I've had kegs for months without any problem, but I never kept one for more than 6 months.

**wilserbrewer** · 06-12-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl spakler

How is that state any different than what a typical beer shelf is at the packy? The beer stores around here tend to be in the low 70's for temp, and so long as the container isn't leaking the beer is under CO2 pressure. The keg is also lightproof so you don't have that to worry about either.

Most of the beer at the "packy" (MA term for packaged goods store / liquor store), has been pasteurized, and does not contain active cultures like homebrew.

Mike
UMass 84

LooyvilleLarry · 06-12-2009, 01:12 PM

Humm. I think at my house it would last longer at room temp than when I have it on tap

carl spakler · 06-12-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YooperBrew

True enough- but remember that commercial beer is pasteurized. Commercial beer is generally meant to sit on the shelves in beer stores.

Are all the craft/micro brews also pasteurized as well? They sit on the same shelves as the BMC swill.