Sanitizing bottle caps

[bernerbrau]

Ya I figured it could be done, but was rather difficult. Could aging a normal gravity beer that long have an effect on the taste? I'm simply asking because I do not know, I just noticed that on most bottled beer the have a label that says consume with in 3 months or so?

In a perfect sterile environment aging a normal gravity beer 3 years would probably see it go stale. However, the extreme overcarbonation I experienced after 3 years is more likely due to a couple viable wild yeast cells getting in there at bottling time and left undisturbed for a long time to do their thing.

To be clear though, that was before I stopped sanitizing my caps. I didn't have my sanitation regimen down at the time though, so it's possible the wild yeast got in at another point.

 

[Diver165]

- Revvy, that statement only makes sense if the bottle caps are contaminated with microbes to begin with. Since they are manufactured under high temperatures, they will be clean to start with, so your only contamination is from the air in your house once they come out from the bag. Letting them dry after using Starsan is exactly the same as taking them fresh from the bag and using them immediatly.

There is absolute guarantee that the caps you buy in a package are sterile or even clean for that matter. Mine come in a large plastic bag. Most of the time the rough edges of the caps have chewed little holes into the bag. Plus Starsan is cheap insurance.

For me on bottling day, I count out the caps needed and they sit in a dish with Starsan until ready to be used. They go directly from their Starsan bath to the bottle where they are promptly capped. I've never had an issue

Sent from my iPhone using HB Talk

 

[Ztp]

I see. I know people age barley wines and what not for very long periods, but wasn't sure what happens on "normal" beers.

 

[Diver165]

I see. I know people age barley wines and what not for very long periods, but wasn't sure what happens on "normal" beers.

LOL. I wouldn't know. My "normal" beers never make it much past 6months! I do have some barley wine that is over a year old and tastes awesome!

Sent from my iPhone using HB Talk

 

[jmlabeck]

I have to chime in on this one. In 23 years, I've had one infected batch. That was the time I forgot to sanitize my caps. Over the years, I've realized brewing is really easy if you follow two rules:
1) sanitize everything that will touch the beer
2) relax

 

[Ztp]

LOL. I wouldn't know. My "normal" beers never make it much past 6months! I do have some barley wine that is over a year old and tastes awesome!

Sent from my iPhone using HB Talk

Lol I'm the same way. I try to only keep two in the fridge so I'm not tempted to drink more than that in a night. Especially since I don't have a LHBS, I have to wait on everything to get mailed in so I can brew, by the time one batch is carbed and ready to drink the previous batch is gone... So sad