How long to keep an ale

[hilljack13]

I brewed a winter warmer a bit late and now it's just sitting around. Kegged 22 Feb. I like it, but it is just getting a bit warmer outside and doesn't feel right on the palate when I drink it. I thought about dumping since I know it will probably sit till fall/winter before I drink it but then I thought it might go bad. Would it still be good (not just drinkable) if I pulled from the kegerator to make room for something else until cold sets back in?

 

[Pennine]

I brewed a winter warmer a bit late and now it's just sitting around. Kegged 22 Feb. I like it, but it is just getting a bit warmer outside and doesn't feel right on the palate when I drink it. I thought about dumping since I know it will probably sit till fall/winter before I drink it but then I thought it might go bad. Would it still be good (not just drinkable) if I pulled from the kegerator to make room for something else until cold sets back in?

Yeah bottle it up, no reason to let it go to waste.

 

[hilljack13]

Curious why to bottle instead of just keeping in the keg? As long as it will be ok months from now.

 

[Pennine]

Curious why to bottle instead of just keeping in the keg? As long as it will be ok months from now.

I thought you wanted to use the keg, sorry you said kegerator. No issues leaving it warm in a keg either.

 

[RM-MN]

Would it still be good (not just drinkable) if I pulled from the kegerator to make room for something else until cold sets back in?

Not just good, better. Wait another year and it will likely be better yet.

 

[MaxStout]

Leave it in the keg. Next winter, you're going to discover a nicely-aged beer.

 

[Bramling Cross]

How warm is it going to get outside the fridge? Beers don't like being warm, but there's warm and then there's warm. I wouldn't mind storing something for a year at 60F, I'd be okay-ish with 70F, not so okay with 80F.

 

[MaxStout]

How warm is it going to get outside the fridge? Beers don't like being warm, but there's warm and then there's warm. I wouldn't mind storing something for a year at 60F, I'd be okay-ish with 70F, not so okay with 80F.

Good point. No sense in aging a beer if it gets hot. Cellar trmps would be ideal, or at least a cool corner of a room.

 

[hilljack13]

How warm is it going to get outside the fridge? Beers don't like being warm, but there's warm and then there's warm. I wouldn't mind storing something for a year at 60F, I'd be okay-ish with 70F, not so okay with 80F.

It would stay in the house. Room temps generally 68-74 if I keep it in the closet. Did a ferment once and temp never got over 72.

Also, just to mention, I have four kegs and a three tap kegerator. I was planning on leaving something to age at some point so now seems to be a good time to try. I have only poured maybe 4-5 from the winter beer.

 

[Clint Yeastwood]

Why not wait until you're sure it's no good? Shortage of storage?

 

[sibelman]

Time to buy another keg?

 

[Bramling Cross]

It would stay in the house. Room temps generally 68-74 if I keep it in the closet. Did a ferment once and temp never got over 72.

Also, just to mention, I have four kegs and a three tap kegerator. I was planning on leaving something to age at some point so now seems to be a good time to try. I have only poured maybe 4-5 from the winter beer.

If that's the case, why not go for it?

Your storage conditions aren't ideal, but they're certainly good enough. The style of ale, Winter Warmer, has plenty of gravity to hold up (and as Max mentioned, will improve) through the half-year of aging.

You've got a great opportunity, seize it!

 

[Pennine]

Do you actually like it?

 

[hilljack13]

Why not wait until you're sure it's no good? Shortage of storage?

I'm not sure what you mean. It is good now.

Time to buy another keg?

Maybe I didn't say that right. I was planning on using the 4th keg to age or lager since I only have 3 taps. The kegerator is Komos so technically will hold 4.

Do you actually like it?

I like it. I think it might be that I have only brewed this style when cold. Something about the warmer temps makes me want to wait it out.

 

[sibelman]

using the 4th keg to age or lager

Yes, I got that. But you may find it useful to have another "spare" for bigger beers that want some age, or when brewing exceeds consumption.

 

[dmtaylor]

I hang onto my beer until I never want to drink it anymore. Then I know it's time to dump.

 

[day_trippr]

I made the mistake of kegging an 18% barley wine once. Eventually dumped the remaining third because I'd grown tired of the damned thing and a nightly half pour just wasn't making headway quick enough by then. Should have bottled it but I had given away my 400+ long necks and literally didn't have a bottle in the house.

That's the only "dumper" I've ever had...

Cheers!

 

[Steveruch]

I brewed a winter warmer a bit late and now it's just sitting around. Kegged 22 Feb. I like it, but it is just getting a bit warmer outside and doesn't feel right on the palate when I drink it. I thought about dumping since I know it will probably sit till fall/winter before I drink it but then I thought it might go bad. Would it still be good (not just drinkable) if I pulled from the kegerator to make room for something else until cold sets back in?

How thorough your cleaning and sanitation is can effect how long.

 

[kevin58]

Curious why to bottle instead of just keeping in the keg? As long as it will be ok months from now.

Not all beers benefit from long term aging but a high gravity winter warmer would certainly thrive with a year or more in the keg. And you are right, just keep it in the keg.