Lambic Discussion Thread

[wuntrikpony]

I think I offered to include one but you didn't want it at the time...

I don’t understand half the **** I say.

 

[primebeer]

Anyone ever build their own bottle racks from wood? Am thinking of doing so because my neighbor has all the wood tools one could need and he offered to help. I just need plans really.

My buddy Evan built me some lambic racks that I'm very happy with. I drastically underestimated the number of bottles I would have so I'm also looking into having more built or buying something else to hold bottles. I'm officially out of room. Will post pics in case you're interested in the design, just need to dig up some photos.

 

[pen15clubmember]

How much do you pay for your storage?

I'm paying $30/mo. for ~14 case size locker in Novato. It was $21 when I got it a few years ago. I bet there are similar if not better deals somewhere in East Bay.

 

[2plums4one]

My buddy Evan built me some lambic racks that I'm very happy with. I drastically underestimated the number of bottles I would have so I'm also looking into having more built or buying something else to hold bottles. I'm officially out of room. Will post pics in case you're interested in the design, just need to dig up some photos.

I've thought about this many times, but in NC without a basement, if the AC goes out even for a few days during the summer I'd be worried. I just keep buying the haier thermo-electric 18 bottle coolers, but the are now discontinued so I don't think I'll buy any more coolers for now. Sees like a valid excuse to drink everything that isn't in those coolers.

 

[Lamnic]

My buddy Evan built me some lambic racks that I'm very happy with. I drastically underestimated the number of bottles I would have so I'm also looking into having more built or buying something else to hold bottles. I'm officially out of room. Will post pics in case you're interested in the design, just need to dig up some photos.

I had the same problem in 2018. Just too many bottles, not enough storage space. I resolved to start drinking my lambic instead of buying another rack. So far, still at max capacity haha

 

[Gaseous Clay]

How many bottles can you fit in that storage unit?

I have somewhere around 90-100 in my locker and it’s the smaller locker option. That’s also including 375’s and magnums

 

[Mug Costanza]

Craigslists standup freezers have been a godsend. Inkbird regulators and rechargable dehumidifier (Eva-Dry) keep humidity/temp in check at a fraction of a wine fridge price. We needed to pipe in Great Stuff insulator through drainage port where temp probe is string through. Since then, no humidity issues. Excuse the trash pics...

 

[wuntrikpony]

standup freezers have been a godsend

What's the reason to use standup freezers instead of a fridge?

 

[JCastle1]

View attachment 5467 View attachment 5468 Craigslists standup freezers have been a godsend. Inkbird regulators and rechargable dehumidifier (Eva-Dry) keep humidity/temp in check at a fraction of a wine fridge price. We needed to pipe in Great Stuff insulator through drainage port where temp probe is string through. Since then, no humidity issues. Excuse the trash pics...

Jesus

 

[BadJustin]

I'd be too afraid of the temp controller failing.

 

[NClambicguy]

What's the reason to use standup freezers instead of a fridge?

When that Johnson controller fails he gets to have lambic slushees for months.

 

[Mug Costanza]

What's the reason to use standup freezers instead of a fridge?

Just have had more luck finding these online. People cite freezer will go through defrost cycle but I think regulator overrides that. About 100 bottles per. Helpful to load and slowly drop to cellar temp rather than directly dropping. Cycles a ton otherwise and condensation was building quickly. Around $50 to $75 for the freezers online. Bought a Haier wine cooler(18btl) online and died within months. Heavily worth the investment for these. Have considered a chest freezer for cellaring but airflow could prove a problem. I assume the capacity would be more though.

 

[Mug Costanza]

When that Johnson controller fails he gets to have lambic slushees for months.

Absolutely a concern. Default regulator set to highest temp in both.

 

[reverseapachemaster1]

I'd be too afraid of the temp controller failing.

I can't speak to the durability of inkbird controllers but Johnson controllers are used in commercial settings (including regulating temperatures on pro brewery conicals) so they should last for at least years flipping a freezer on and off.

 

[jbdpsu82]

I'd be too afraid of the temp controller failing.

This was my thought as well. So my main (non-lambic) beer fridge is actually a full-sized freezerless fridge that is temp regulated in the same fashion as a freezer would be (Inkbird). But, if it fails at least I know they'll just get cold, not freeze.

As an added precaution on my wine fridges that house my lambic, I have them plugged into smart outlets that will shut off if a smart thermometer inside them detects a temp below 45 degrees.

 

[stakem1]

Sons ah ******* in this thread storing beer in freezers that dont freeze and im over here struggling with a fridge that will freeze my milk rock solid if I put the carton too close to the back.





Lambic discussion 2019 is lit.

 

[NClambicguy]

I'm in the process of building a small temp controlled room in the basement. Have the rough outline, vapor barrier, AC unit that I want to order. Just need the damn electrician to give me a damn quote so I can get things ordered.

This is not the cheap way to do this. The door for the cellar alone is more than I had wanted to spend on the project.

 

[Mug Costanza]

This was my thought as well. So my main (non-lambic) beer fridge is actually a full-sized freezerless fridge that is temp regulated in the same fashion as a freezer would be (Inkbird). But, if it fails at least I know they'll just get cold, not freeze.

As an added precaution on my wine fridges that house my lambic, I have them plugged into smart outlets that will shut off if a smart thermometer inside them detects a temp below 45 degrees.

I need to do this as well. Recommendation on the smart outlet?

 

[iong516]

Do people really worry this much about temperature control? Air conditioning and a dark closet should be fine.....

 

[Mug Costanza]

Do people really worry this much about temperature control? Air conditioning and a dark closet should be fine.....

As long as major temp flux aren’t occuring, cool and dark are fine. Seasons do happen and NC can be fickle in the mountains. Slow maturation of bottles and being able to grab a bottle at the perfect drinking temp makes me tingle where it counts. A few of many pluses.

 

[jbdpsu82]

I need to do this as well. Recommendation on the smart outlet?

One is plugged into a GE 14288, the other is plugged into a GE 14284 outdoor outlet, mostly because the 14288 only has one smart outlet on it. The 14284 is what I use for Christmas lights, and I had an extra sitting around. But, neither have given me any problems. You would need a smart hub though; I use SmartThings.

 

[Mug Costanza]

One is plugged into a GE 14288, the other is plugged into a GE 14284 outdoor outlet, mostly because the 14288 only has one smart outlet on it. The 14284 is what I use for Christmas lights, and I had an extra sitting around. But, neither have given me any problems. You would need a smart hub though; I use SmartThings.

Awesome! Thanks for the quick response.

 

[2plums4one]

As long as major temp flux aren’t occuring, cool and dark are fine. Seasons do happen and NC can be fickle in the mountains. Slow maturation of bottles and being able to grab a bottle at the perfect drinking temp makes me tingle where it counts. A few of many pluses.

yep, I have a wine cooler that holds about 30. It is old, and I got it at a used furniture store for $25. It has worked well for years, and I just keep the stuff I'm going to drink in the next 12 months in it. Had a buddy in STL who lost power during the summer and had to resort to keeping dry ice in that room for days until his power was cut back on. He had a ton of valuable bottles in there.

 

[The Red Viper]

Reading the last few pages of this thread makes me so damn glad I have a basement that approximates ideal cellar conditions and don’t have to worry about anything except getting bins and racks. We’re currently shopping for a house (have been renting way too long) and a good basement is on the non negotiable requirements list.

 

[Lamnic]

Cantillon 4 pack on Belgiuminabox. Geuze Kriek Rose and GCB for 80 Euro

 

[wuntrikpony]

Cantillon 4 pack on Belgiuminabox. Geuze Kriek Rose and GCB for 80 Euro

Pretty big markup compared to Etre. Granted there was no GCB on Etre, but Geuze/Kriek/RDG together were under 44 euro.

 

[tylerk88]

I realize we're on a bit of a tangent here, but how warm is too warm for a basement/cellar? Mine is currently at about 55F, but certainly gets warmer during peak summer temps. The longest I've had bottles down there is ~6 years; I've not noticed any "damage" from temp fluctuations. Those temp changes are pretty gradual, and so maybe that has something to do with it?

 

[stupac2]

I realize we're on a bit of a tangent here, but how warm is too warm for a basement/cellar? Mine is currently at about 55F, but certainly gets warmer during peak summer temps. The longest I've had bottles down there is ~6 years; I've not noticed any "damage" from temp fluctuations. Those temp changes are pretty gradual, and so maybe that has something to do with it?

When he announced his "bomb shelter cellar" JVR said it got as high as the 70's in the summer. That's about what mine does, so I figure if it works for him then it works for me. (Although I did add insulation last spring to help isolate it from the hotter parts of the house, it still probably goes from ~50 on the coldest winter days to ~70 on the hottest summer days, and I think that's fine.)

 

[The Red Viper]

When he announced his "bomb shelter cellar" JVR said it got as high as the 70's in the summer. That's about what mine does, so I figure if it works for him then it works for me. (Although I did add insulation last spring to help isolate it from the hotter parts of the house, it still probably goes from ~50 on the coldest winter days to ~70 on the hottest summer days, and I think that's fine.)

That’s about mine’s range too. I might prefer a high more like the mid 60s for the wine at least but I can live with it.

 

[RuckIt]

View attachment 5467 View attachment 5468 Craigslists standup freezers have been a godsend. Inkbird regulators and rechargable dehumidifier (Eva-Dry) keep humidity/temp in check at a fraction of a wine fridge price. We needed to pipe in Great Stuff insulator through drainage port where temp probe is string through. Since then, no humidity issues. Excuse the trash pics...

I can see your Anus Aunis