how long will a pilsner last?

[hoboscratch]

So I brewed a pilsner that I want to submit to my state fair competition. I have to have it in by July 23rd and it will be tasted on Aug 1. I brewed it on Feb 28. It fermented for a month, then lagered for another month. I just carbed and tasted it last week. From time of initial brewing to the tasting will be about 5 1/2 months. I'm guessing this type of beer does not age that well, but I wanted some other opinions on it.

 

[bbrim]

The hop character will fade but the beer should still be tasty. I have been sitting on some for about that long, I brewed it in October and they still taste great but lack the hoppiness of its youth. Put the ones you want to submit in the fridge right away and that should help slow the progress of aging.

 

[remilard]

If you keep it cold the entire time it should be past its prime but okay in 6 months. Working in your favor is that many judges will not have a ton of experience with fresh pilsner and so a well handled older example may be what they expect as ideal.

If you are very serious about the competition and also like drinking the beer, I would save how many bottles you need + 1 and then also rebrew the beer to be 6-8 weeks old at judging. Then you can taste each right before sending and send whichever you think is drinking better.

 

[hoboscratch]

Thanks for the replies.

I actually kegged it, and am going to bottle right from the keg. I don't have a counter pressure filler but use one of the DIY methods using the small #2 stopper and a picnic tap. So it will stay cold the entire time, except in shipping.

I did push it right up to the high side of the style guidelines for IBUs. I think it came out to 43.something. So that should help preserve some of its tasty goodness!

 

[hoboscratch]

If you are very serious about the competition and also like drinking the beer, I would save how many bottles you need + 1 and then also rebrew the beer to be 6-8 weeks old at judging. Then you can taste each right before sending and send whichever you think is drinking better.

That right there is a very good idea. Unfortunately it doesn't quite work with my own personal and lager fridge schedule. I will just have to plan better next time around....