keq question

[wester101]

I searched forums and can't seem to find it, i hope this isn't to repetative a question. How does beer age in a keg system? I know you force the carbanation but then doesn't the beer have to age? Can it do that in a fridge which is where you keep the keg right? Nothing i have read talks about aging in a keg. thanks for your time

 

[Yooper]

Beer ages in a keg (or a carboy) just as it does in the bottle. I like to have the beer about 4 weeks old before I keg it, and then keep it at room temperature a couple more weeks before chilling it. Chilled beer still ages, but not as quickly as room temperature beer. It can be carbonated or not- carbonation doesn't affect the aging process.

 

[wester101]

So what would i leave it in at room temp? the keg or a fermentation container? I could rack it to a new container to age then keg? thanks for the advice.

 

[malkore]

I usually have more empty cornies than carboys. After secondary clearing, I'll rack to the keg, and leave it in the low to mid 70's for a few weeks. If i'm not lazy, I'll hit it with CO2 several times just to start carbing it a little.
when there's room in the keezer, the keg goes in and sits on gas at serving pressure for 7-10 days to finish carbing.

Just because you can keg fast and carb faster than 3 weeks in the bottle...the beer still (usually) needs to age. I say usually because a few beers are best drank the moment the 'greenness' is gone, such as wits, kolsch, and similar light beers.