Left in Fermenter 4.5 Months - Bottle or Toss?

[user 241041]

Hi. First post from a lurker seeking some advice.

After a few 1 gallon batches (from kits), and a few classes at an area homebrew store, I brewed my first 5 gallon batch (from an extract kit) around June 30. Well, for various reasons (some good, some not) I failed to bottle it in a timely fashion and that 5 gallon batch has now been sitting in the fermenter in the basement for nearly 4.5 months. The temperature has been pretty stable and there are no outward signs of anything bad having happened.

What should I do with it now? Bottle it? Toss it? Check it somehow before I make the decision? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Brent

 

[helterscelter]

Hi. First post from a lurker seeking some advice.

After a few 1 gallon batches (from kits), and a few classes at an area homebrew store, I brewed my first 5 gallon batch (from an extract kit) around June 30. Well, for various reasons (some good, some not) I failed to bottle it in a timely fashion and that 5 gallon batch has now been sitting in the fermenter in the basement for nearly 4.5 months. The temperature has been pretty stable and there are no outward signs of anything bad having happened.

What should I do with it now? Bottle it? Toss it? Check it somehow before I make the decision? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Brent

taste a sample, then bottle it..

 

[Miraculix]

Definitely bottle. What type of beer is it?

 

[xpops]

sample and bottle!

 

[CJ-3]

Taste the sample. If it does not taste funky then bottle it. Some beers age very nicely.

 

[PADave]

Did the airlock dry up? Only thing to do, as said above is to taste it, then bottle.

 

[madscientist451]

I've done it a few times over the years, get busy and it never gets done. I had a PB Porter go sour once but usually nothing bad happens.

 

[macgyuver]

Most definitely taste and if good bottle that brew up. As stated before some beer ages very well when left alone for extended periods of time. Once you taste the brew you will know if it is still good or not.

 

[cubalz]

Bottle it. You have nothing to lose.

 

[twisted01]

Bottle it for sure, I’ve been in the same position and never had an issue. Cheers

 

[user 241041]

Thanks for the recommendations/encouragement, everybody. I’ll taste and (hopefully) bottle this weekend. It’s a “Kolsch” (from the Brewer’s Best kit, so not a true Kölsch).

Will report back after I try/bottle. Thanks again.

 

[mr_stout]

Welcome lurker,

If it taste good drink it. I am thinking you may have vinegar at this point.