Serious Beer Neglect

[JAW]

I have a five gallon batch of a Grand Cru style beer that has been in primary for about 6 months. The water has been gone from the airlock for about 3 months but it doesn't appear to have impacted the beer. There is what appears to be residual krausen left on about 25% of the surface (very light brown, thin residue, not fuzzy). I initially was going to dump it when I first noticed the airlock was dry a few months ago, but it doesn't appear to have changed at all. Has anyone ever neglected their beer this long and still had a reasonable outcome?

Thanks,

 

[beersydoesit]

I haven't negleted it that long, but I have done long enough for the airlock to go dry. The beer turned out fine.

An empty airlock still presents considerable defense against airborn bugs because of the twists and turns. I think if the beer looks ok at this point it probably is. If is smells okay it definitely is.

 

[maxamuus]

Someone should report you for neglecting your poor beer.

 

[JAW]

It smells like a high alcohol beer so I guess it passes that test. I'll sanitize my syphon and draw a bit out and see how it tastes.

 

[Diver165]

That's beyond alcohol abuse...

Bad joke I know. But I'm bored at work.

 

[dummkauf]

I've heard of guys doing much worse to their beer and it turning out great, just hang around this forum for a bit and you'll hear lots of stories. Just bottle it and see what happens, and even if the bottles taste like @$$, just tuck them away in the closet for a while and try them again after aging a bit.

The general rule of thumb seems to be, unless you are 190% positive you have an infection, never dump a batch.

 

[LaurieGator]

Yup... I have left a beer for a year in a carboy. I didn't mean to leave them there for that long but things got in the way and I was not able to bottle them for a year...

Both the Porter and the Stout are spectacular! They are in the private stash!

 

[JAW]

Thanks for the good responses. I'm going to go ahead an bottle it tonight.