how to keep homebrew fresh for longer?

[David20Hersch]

just made me a hefeweizen and bottled it! my brother is visiting in 3 weeks and want the beer to be prime for that time!

If I condition the batch at lower temps say 64 - 60 would that slow the stale effect??? I know that this style should be drunk young, didn't think it would Finnish fermenting so fast!
Once it finishes carbonating would it help to keep it in the fridge???

 

[brewkinger]

3 weeks is the perfect amount of time to bottle condition.
Put them somewhere 70+ degrees and leave them alone for 2 weeks and then stick them in the fridge for a few days to a week.

 

[mdindy]

I really wouldn't worry about the beer going stale or loosing flavor from just 3 weeks. You should be just fine letting it sit.

 

[MattyIce]

If you bottle conditioned, and the caps are sealed correctly, I do not see how they would become stale or oxidized any time soon. I question just how much oxygen is even present in a bottle conditioned brew.

Refrigerating does seem to put aging on hold though...good or bad.

 

[grevengrevs]

I wouldn't worry too much. I recently opened some summer ale that I made in July of 2014 and they tasted great!

 

[McGarnigle]

Once it finishes carbonating would it help to keep it in the fridge???

Yes. Just make sure it's done carbonating.