Beer Cellar thread - real cellars, closet cellars, fridge cellars, freezer cellars, wine coolers

[jedwards]

The stupidest.

Seriously, who makes a gif that doesn't loop in this day and age.

 

[drbenzo1]

Seriously, who makes a gif that doesn't loop in this day and age.

I'm legitimately mad about this

 

[thefleshlight]

I cellar my ***** but it's very inefficient to have them just sitting on pallets or directly on the cement. I need a book shelf or rack style for holding my ~500 bottles. It looks a little better currently, but this pic is about half and in bad disarray

 

[swivelhips1]

New to tb here. I recently upgraded to this freezer that I have setup with a thermocouple to hold at 55.

 

[ridglens]

Finally got it all up off the floor, looks much better. found some surprises cleaning out all the boxes, working through things trying to limit the number of bottles. Fun stuff!

 

[stupac2]

Finally got it all up off the floor, looks much better. found some surprises cleaning out all the boxes, working through things trying to limit the number of bottles. Fun stuff!

I even know you live in Indiana and my reaction is still "He's going to be so ****** in the next earthquake". Stupid California ruining my brain.

 

[ridglens]

I even know you live in Indiana and my reaction is still "He's going to be so ****** in the next earthquake". Stupid California ruining my brain.

**running home to move lambic to bottom shelf**

 

[thefleshlight]

bbbrrrrrrooooooo all your corked bottlez iz be upright, HOW DARE YOU DOEZ ITZ ROOONGGG

 

[BusinessSloth]

I rent out a locker at a local wine storage facility. I also have a 40 bottle wine cooler at home that I transfer bottles to that I plan on drinking in the near future, so I don't always have to run over to the cellar. I just reorganized my bottles. I use one five shelf unit in the back:

To maximize space, I use some of the extra large dairy crates from Tthe Container Store that I stack up in front of the shelves. These crates are tall and wide enough to store corked and caged 750 ml bottles either horizontally or vertically. These three crates hold American Wild Ales, lambic, and gueuze which I store horizontally:

They are a bit pricey ($13.99 each), but they were perfect:

They also stack, can be labeled, and can be easily removed to give me quick access to the bottles stored vertically on the shelving unit:

How are the milk crates working out for you? I have a temp-controlled chest freezer and I'm about to run into some serious space issues.

 

[oldp0rt]

How are the milk crates working out for you? I have a temp-controlled chest freezer and I'm about to run into some serious space issues.

I personally love the milk crates. You fit a lot of 375s in there.

 

[BusinessSloth]

I personally love the milk crates. You fit a lot of 375s in there.

I have mostly 750s. Maybe 2 375s. As long as I can fit more into my chest freezer, that will work!. I live too far south for an underground basement/cellar. An ex-gf's dad had an incredible above ground, walk-in wine cellar with glass walls (not sure how energy efficient that was though). I'd love to do something similar when I can afford it.

 

[BusinessSloth]

So I'm in a dilemma and trying to figure out a game plan here. I'm moving soon and will (likely) not be able to take my temp-controlled chest freezer with me. Unfortunately I'll have to move again within 3-6 months, but this time it'll be into my own home/townhome and I can finally get around to building my dream "cellar" room or do whatever I see fit to store my beer.

Do I:
1) leave my chest freezer and/or lambic in someone else's care for an unknown period of time?

2) sell my chest freezer, buy 2 of these wooden racks, and try to keep my bottles as cold as possible in the mean time? http://www.worldmarket.com/product/pine-44-bottle-wine-rack.do?camp=ppc:GooglePLA:none:78009707929custom3bestseller&adpos=1o4&creative=50632136459&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CPWgx7m6-MMCFeFj7AodpmIAHA I sort of like this option, but am unsure what the higher temps could do to my poor lambic if the storage area isn't kept cool enough.

3) Can I safely keep my chest freezer in the garage? I thought I remember they're like kegerators in that they're usually not specifically built to be outside the home.

Am thankful for any insight/meaningful input. This was just dropped on me so I'm trying to figure out a game plan.

 

[LukeAleTime]

Option 3. Definitely not 1.

I don't see any issue with a chest freezer in the garage? It'll be sheltered right?

 

[stupac2]

So I'm in a dilemma and trying to figure out a game plan here. I'm moving soon and will (likely) not be able to take my temp-controlled chest freezer with me. Unfortunately I'll have to move again within 3-6 months, but this time it'll be into my own home/townhome and I can finally get around to building my dream "cellar" room or do whatever I see fit to store my beer.

Do I:
1) leave my chest freezer and/or lambic in someone else's care for an unknown period of time?

2) sell my chest freezer, buy 2 of these wooden racks, and try to keep my bottles as cold as possible in the mean time? http://www.worldmarket.com/product/pine-44-bottle-wine-rack.do?camp=ppc:GooglePLA:none:78009707929custom3bestseller&adpos=1o4&creative=50632136459&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CPWgx7m6-MMCFeFj7AodpmIAHA I sort of like this option, but am unsure what the higher temps could do to my poor lambic if the storage area isn't kept cool enough.

3) Can I safely keep my chest freezer in the garage? I thought I remember they're like kegerators in that they're usually not specifically built to be outside the home.

Am thankful for any insight/meaningful input. This was just dropped on me so I'm trying to figure out a game plan.

What do you mean by chest freezer? You have a temperature controller hooked up to a normal freezer? Those things are basically made to exist in a garage, why wouldn't it be able to?

Anyway, option 2 is fine too, as long as the temp doesn't go much above 70 (which I assume you'll be able to handle since nothing in TX lacks AC). Option 1 is probably fine too, unless your friends are as bad as sarro's.

 

[BusinessSloth]

What do you mean by chest freezer? You have a temperature controller hooked up to a normal freezer? Those things are basically made to exist in a garage, why wouldn't it be able to?

Anyway, option 2 is fine too, as long as the temp doesn't go much above 70 (which I assume you'll be able to handle since nothing in TX lacks AC). Option 1 is probably fine too, unless your friends are as bad as sarro's.

Probably shoot to keep it in the garage. Should be enough room...thanks!

 

[ridglens]

So I'm in a dilemma and trying to figure out a game plan here. I'm moving soon and will (likely) not be able to take my temp-controlled chest freezer with me. Unfortunately I'll have to move again within 3-6 months, but this time it'll be into my own home/townhome and I can finally get around to building my dream "cellar" room or do whatever I see fit to store my beer.

Do I:
1) leave my chest freezer and/or lambic in someone else's care for an unknown period of time?

2) sell my chest freezer, buy 2 of these wooden racks, and try to keep my bottles as cold as possible in the mean time? http://www.worldmarket.com/product/pine-44-bottle-wine-rack.do?camp=ppc:GooglePLA:none:78009707929custom3bestseller&adpos=1o4&creative=50632136459&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CPWgx7m6-MMCFeFj7AodpmIAHA I sort of like this option, but am unsure what the higher temps could do to my poor lambic if the storage area isn't kept cool enough.

3) Can I safely keep my chest freezer in the garage? I thought I remember they're like kegerators in that they're usually not specifically built to be outside the home.

Am thankful for any insight/meaningful input. This was just dropped on me so I'm trying to figure out a game plan.

4) Mail lambic to ridglens for extremely safe, thoughtful storage.

 

[BusinessSloth]

4) Mail lambic to ridglens for extremely safe, thoughtful storage.

Gonna keep the fridge in the garage. But thanks for the offer!

 

[swivelhips1]

My fridge is in a non-climate controlled garage and it has had no problem holding at constant temp and humidity year around here in LA.

 

[cosmicevan]

4) Mail lambic to ridglens for extremely safe, thoughtful storage.

in your belly?

 

[stupac2]

in your belly?

 

[cosmicevan]

 

[BusinessSloth]

I run a Frigidaire chest freezer with a Johnson temp controller. I had an extra temperature gauge so I stuck one inside (that's the black strip). Quickly running out of room though and still have several bulk additions incoming, so in desperate need of crates or a bigger chest freezer. Not sure what current size I'm running right now, but I vaguely remember purchasing it new at Lowes for a very good price a few years ago.

 

[ForkAndSpoonOperator]

Completely forgot about the old cold storage room at the back of the basement until I was cleaning this afternoon. Beer is no longer "that stack of tupperware bins in the corner."

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

So I'm in a dilemma and trying to figure out a game plan here. I'm moving soon and will (likely) not be able to take my temp-controlled chest freezer with me. Unfortunately I'll have to move again within 3-6 months, but this time it'll be into my own home/townhome and I can finally get around to building my dream "cellar" room or do whatever I see fit to store my beer.

Do I:
1) leave my chest freezer and/or lambic in someone else's care for an unknown period of time?

2) sell my chest freezer, buy 2 of these wooden racks, and try to keep my bottles as cold as possible in the mean time? http://www.worldmarket.com/product/pine-44-bottle-wine-rack.do?camp=ppc:GooglePLA:none:78009707929custom3bestseller&adpos=1o4&creative=50632136459&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CPWgx7m6-MMCFeFj7AodpmIAHA I sort of like this option, but am unsure what the higher temps could do to my poor lambic if the storage area isn't kept cool enough.

3) Can I safely keep my chest freezer in the garage? I thought I remember they're like kegerators in that they're usually not specifically built to be outside the home.

Am thankful for any insight/meaningful input. This was just dropped on me so I'm trying to figure out a game plan.

As a former HQ employee of World Market, I can say their furniture/wine racks are garbage to mediocre with a very high mark up. If you buy a wine rack from WM think of it lasting 5 yrs.

 

[CoinStarChange]

I keep these beers and more in a small closet in my basement. They all rest on a 3-shelf system and see little to no light.

 

[kmart01041]

Just recently started to age beer. I luckily had a closet under my staircase in my basement.

 

[sp0]

What do those that live in a city do for storing/cellaring beer?

My "cellar" consists of bottles in boxes stored in my bedroom which happens to be quite cold in the winter, especially near the windows. (No sunlight) Now that spring is arriving and the number of beers I'm concerned about is continuing to rise, I need to find a better solution. I'm limited to space as I have a small apartment in metropolitan NYC. Anyone use a temperature controlled wine fridge here? I've read things that are against storing horizontally though and all wine fridges are horizontal. Thanks in advance for feedback.

 

[jedwards]

What do those that live in a city do for storing/cellaring beer?

Moved to SF recently and currently have the cellar in a space at a temperature-controlled wine storage facility. The major negative of that approach (lack of easy access) is kind of a positive for me as I am mostly trying to age beer long-term in quantity.

Re wine fridges, I've seen lots of people remove the shelving and/or add their own shelving to allow them to store bottles upright -- I'd assume this is dependent on the particulars of the fridge. The next-best option is a small chest freezer with a homebrew-style temperature controller on it (more energy efficient than a wine fridge, but more subject to humidity issues). Might be worth keeping an eye on Craigslist for either depending on how much space you have available.

 

[stupac2]

What do those that live in a city do for storing/cellaring beer?

My "cellar" consists of bottles in boxes stored in my bedroom which happens to be quite cold in the winter, especially near the windows. (No sunlight) Now that spring is arriving and the number of beers I'm concerned about is continuing to rise, I need to find a better solution. I'm limited to space as I have a small apartment in metropolitan NYC. Anyone use a temperature controlled wine fridge here? I've read things that are against storing horizontally though and all wine fridges are horizontal. Thanks in advance for feedback.

There's no reason at all to be worried about storing beer horizontally. But, like jedwards said, most wine fridges have removable shelves, often you'll want to remove them anyway because you'll be able to fit more bottles in.

 

[sp0]

Thanks for the feedback!