When do I refrigerate?

[BeerHere]

My first batch is still in the secondary carboy and is due for bottling on Sunday. This question is WAY ahead of time, but it's driving me nuts. When do you refrigerate your bottles? Do I need to plan drinking ahead of time and decide that I will have four tomorrow and put them in?

Speaking of "driving me nuts": A pirate goes into a bar. The bartender immediatly notices he has a ships wheel sticking out of his pants. The pirate asks for a lager and puts down a gold piece to pay for it. The bartender can't stand it and says to the pirate, "Do you know you have a ships wheel sticking out of your pants?"

The pirate replies, "Yes, it's drivin' me nuts!"

 

[BierMuncher]

My first batch is still in the secondary carboy and is due for bottling on Sunday. This question is WAY ahead of time, but it's driving me nuts. When do you refrigerate your bottles? Do I need to plan drinking ahead of time and decide that I will have four tomorrow and put them in?

Bottle your beer and place the bottles somewhere that the temp is at least 70 degrees. Ignore them for three weeks and then chill them.

 

[BeerHere]

Is there too high a temp to store them? I'm in Florida and SWMBO keeps the house at 73 during the day and 67 at night. The garage can get up to 100 during the day.

 

[FlyingHorse]

67-73 is fine. 100 is not.

 

[zoebisch01]

Also, you don't really want to store your beer that warm though if it can be avoided. You probably have no other choice there in FL, but depending on the brew let it carb and condition and when it is ready then into the fridge assuming you have room. Temperature is probably the biggest component that regulates beer stability in storage.

 

[BeerHere]

I have a back room that the AC vent is closed. I'm sure it's above 70 all the time and I'd be surprised if it ever got above 80. I'll keep them in there. Is there a point when they have to be friged? I think I'd like to just rotate the stock if you know what I mean. Keep 12 or so of each batch chilled and when one comes out, a warm one goes in.

 

[Beerrific]

If your house is between 67 and 73, that is fine. If you have a closet off a room that is air conditioned, that would be perfect.

 

[fezzman]

Where are you located on the East coast as I'm an East Coaster too. Titusville here.

I keep my bottles in a back bedroom on my terazzo floor. That room is always dark and I have the vent wide open. After three to four weeks I move them to a rack in my bedroom closet. From here I'll just keep at least a sixer in the fridge at all times. I've actually been thinking of arranging the shelves in my fridge (garage) to accomodate full batches.

 

[Brewer3401]

Do like everyone is saying, 2-3 weeks.
I'd pop one to make sure it's carbonated.
If it is, put them ALL in the frig.

Especially since you're new, if you have ANY problems with contamination, keeping the beer cold will slow down the beer turning.

One test for contamination is an accelerated method - by using heat to accelerate any imperfections in the beer.

Maybe keep one at 70 F, then try it in 2 months. If it tastes bad, you had some sort of contamination in a process after you shut down the boil.

 

[BeerHere]

Thanks for all the advise. I don't know how I would have done without this forum. I'll do the 3 weeks in the back room, then off to the fridge with the varmints.

Fezzman, I'm in Palm Coast, just below St. Augustine.

 

[FatMonsters]

I usually will try one after 2 weeks to see where it is. I refrigerate one at a time and test it out. And then once every week until I feel they are carbed and good to go. After that, I leave them in basement and only refrigerate as I drink. Which some times goes petty quick!

 

[zoebisch01]

Cooling the beer down slows the aging process. Certain things come to a halt altogether...like yeast activity, and hence carbonation. Temperature is one of the MAJOR factors in nearly every aspect of beer from seed to suds to enjoying those suds

 

[fezzman]

Thanks for all the advise. I don't know how I would have done without this forum. I'll do the 3 weeks in the back room, then off to the fridge with the varmints.

Fezzman, I'm in Palm Coast, just below St. Augustine.

I've never been to P.C...but I've seen the signs on I95.

Make sure you test the carbonation at 3 weeks to make sure it is acceptable. Sometimes it seems to take 4+ weeks. Welcome to this wonderful hobby.

 

[LoneOakDesign]

Speaking of "driving me nuts": A pirate goes into a bar. The bartender immediatly notices he has a ships wheel sticking out of his pants. The pirate asks for a lager and puts down a gold piece to pay for it. The bartender can't stand it and says to the pirate, "Do you know you have a ships wheel sticking out of your pants?"

The pirate replies, "Yes, it's drivin' me nuts!"

i actually tell this same joke except for the ending. i like saying "Arrr, it's driving me nuts!". kind of throws more of a pirate twist on it