How do you bulk age?

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How Do You Bulk Age?

  • Keg - Pressurized but off the gas

  • Keg - Pressurized and on the gas

  • Secondary - Carboy or other such vessel

  • Primary - Autolysis Shmotalysis


Results are only viewable after voting.

jacksonbrown

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