Winter Ale Aging

[shunoshi]

I purchased a recipe kit from Midwest Supplies for their Winter Ale. I'd like to have a batch of this ready for hunting season (November 3), but on the box description it says to give yourself 4-6 months for full maturation.

I'm wondering if the 4 months is an absolute minimum for aging in the bottle for this particular recipe or if I can squeak by with 2 1/2 - 3 months. Has anyone here made this recipe before that can clue me in on what to expect? I know I can just try out a bottle myself come Halloween, but I'd like to set some expectations for myself if possible.

I guess if all else fails they'll make great Christmas gifts!

 

[Dark_Ale]

How big is the beer what is your OG? ....Your will notice the older it gets the malt with come through. Put a few aside and try in six months to see the differance. I have always aged in bottles, but lately I have been bulk aging in kegs I have been noticing that my stronger beers age better that way. Then when I get ready for them I force carbonate and use my beer gun if I wish to bottle a few for competition. I would say 3 months it should be pretty good, unless your gravity is 1.085 or higher then I would give it six months. Good Luck! I need to brew something for hunting season too! Bow season is just around the corner.

 

[david_42]

The spec sheet says 1.072-6 for the OG, so it might be ok at 3 months. I would bulk age it around 75F for two months then bottle. It will be much better by new Year's though, so don't drink it all early.