Cellaring Beer, etc.

[Joeywhat]

I've got a few big beers I've always wanted to cellar for a few years to see how they come out. I also enjoy very nice red wines that have been properly aged (don't drink off the shelf stuff often). I'm also about to get into making mead, which I'm sure in some cases benefits from a few years in the bottle.

So what is needed to properly cellar these items? Is it as simple as buying a mini-fridge and keeping around 55*-ish? Is there a single temp that works for beer, wine and mead? Can I store everything upright or lay it on it's side or what?

If a mini fridge works is anything else needed? I'd like it to be as DIY as possible...

Thanks for helping, I know NOTHING about how this is supposed to be done.

 

[riverfrontbrewer]

If it has a cork, put it on its side....

In theory when you age at 65degrees, it will age faster than at 55, but I am sure we could argue over "how" fast all day. Imporant thing for beer and wine is keep it in a cool, dark place.
As far as the beers you are aging, some will go downhill pretty quick (IPA's for one)....general rule of thumb, the darker and maltier a beer is, the better it may age...barleywines, stouts, porters, etc.....

 

[Joeywhat]

Well I assume with a temp controller keeping a fridge at 65* wouldn't be hard at all. I might keep it in the garage so a heater would be needed as well...

The only beers I'll be aging are the real hardcore stouts, like Bell's Expedition - that thing looks like cough syrup coming out of the bottle (and tastes about as sweet...). Is that temp good for wines and meads too?

 

[CaptKiRkLeS]

What about one of those small bottle chillers. I was thinking of getting one, I think it holds 12 bottles (its for wine but it does the same thing)
I am finding a lot of conflicting info on how to store beer (Vertical or horizontal). Does it matter if it is corked or capped?

I'd like to get some thoughts on this before I get one. I just started 'cellaring' (2 beers so far) and right now they are in my downstairs fridge. It's a bit colder than what I would keep a bottle fridge at, would that have any affect on it?