Maximum storing time

[captwheel]

I would like to start kegging, but need to know how long you can keep beer in a keg? I work 56 days & 28 days off. When I get off work I brew a batch of beer then bottle right before I go back to work. So it will sit for about 60 days before I get home to enjoy the beer. Can I keg with this time frame?

Cheers, Phil

 

[IvanTheTerribrew]

Practice good sanitation and be sure to avoid oxidation when you keg it (ex make sure you purge the keg multiple times). I would probably only recommend not doing a very hop flavor and aroma centered beer because those will diminish over time. Besides that, I don't see any reason a beer couldn't be perfectly fine after 2 months of waiting. May even get better.

 

[sweetcell]

it will depend on the style of beer you brew, and whether the kegs will be refrigerated during those 56 days.

but there is no major reason why you couldn't keg.

 

[captwheel]

Thanks for the help!
As far as the temp it will be stored at. I can do any temp. I have a freezer so it could be kept at any temp for cool there. Room temp in the winter is plenty cool. I turn the heat down to 45-50 deg while gone (I live in Northern Il). In the summer it is in the basement so it should stay below 80 I would think.

Cheers, Phil

 

[sweetcell]

if you purge the kegs with CO2 prior to racking to minimize O2, are meticulous about sanitation and store the kegs cold while you're gone (i.e. in a fridge/freezer), most beer will handle your 2 month absence just fine. hoppy beers like APAs and IPAs will lose some hopiness so they won't be quite as good, whereas certain other styles that benefit from lagering (like more dark beers IMO) will taste better upon your return.

 

[herc1354]

So really as long as temp is cold and the keg is kept on constant co2 the beer will keep........for some time. Now as mentioned hoppy beers will loose their hop aroma over time, about 6 months, dark beers like stouts and porters will no doubt get better with age.