Kegged beer

[indiansfan82]

Hi I am a barleywine fan. Southern tier has their bourbon barreled back burner out now. It is 14% abv or so. Def a beer that can be aged however it's a bit "hot" right now. I have read abit but do not fully understand the proper way to age it. It only come in 1/6 kegs. Now I don't own a Kegerator right now but a few friends do so I was wondering the best option to age it. Leave it in keg with out adding co2. Adding co2 and putting it into beer bottle and capping with or with out widget. I believe this beer will do so much better with age it's a Shame that they don't offer it any other way. Any help would be greatly helpful thanks in advance. And I hope this is right section for question.

 

[worksnorth]

So they gave it to you in a keg uncarbed? Or I guess you may mean that you've got it in the keg, it's carbed but you are wondering if you should keep co2 on it while it's aging? Well I'm not positive, but if I chose to keg and age one of my beers in the keg, if all the O2 was out of the keg I think I'd be okay with leaving it at a cool room temperature for as long as I thought necessary. I also wouldn't feel the need to keep my CO2 plumbed up to it. Again, I'd have to be certain that all the O2 was out of the keg.
Cheers

 

[DrawTap88]

If you got the keg from the brewery, it already has CO2 in there. As far as ageing it, just toss it in a cool place and leave it. I'd also make sure that it is in a place that you can easily clean incase one of the seals breaks down while in storage (not likely, but could happen).

 

[indiansfan82]

Thanks for the reply so fast. I asked my friend about when he gets a keg from store. Said he needs to add co2 to pressurize the keg. So I assume that none is in it when being bought. Example a 1/4 barrel of labbet blue or something like it. So is best bet to purge all air and co2 out of keg and just let it sit on basement floor for a year ? Should it be kept in like a fridge we have in basement for soda beer etc? My guess is a year is how long it will be sitting if this helps any.

 

[worksnorth]

I'd go with purging the O2 out and let it set!

 

[Pommy]

Make sure its carbed then chuck it in the back of the cupboard and forget about it until xmas next year, thats what I would do if I had the patience, it would be well worthwhile.

 

[TopherM]

Ideal long term aging temp for beer is about 52F. If you happen to have a way to get closer to the low 50s, do it. If not, CONSISTENT temp is very important in aging, so make sure you at least put it somewhere where the temps don't fluctuate. Basement fridge for a year would be great!