How long will it keep?

[rods1982]

Hi Folks,

I've been lurking on these forums for a while now, have picked up some great advice so far, so thanks!

I'm brewing my second kit soon (first was a lager which wasn't too bad) which is a Scottish heavy. It'll be going into a Young's pressure barrel.

I'm just wondering, how long will beer last in the barrel before it goes off? If it's in the barrel after 2 weeks in FV, a week in the warm then into the cold, how long will it be before it's undrinkable?

Thanks for your help!

R

[mshergold]

When you crack the tap on a pressure barrel, when beer flows out, it's replace by air, which means it will oxidise possilby quicker than you can finish it. One solution is to buy a cap like this and some C02 bulbs to add enough C02 to displace the air.

[Ditch]

Rods; Whilst the above is correct, fine and dandy, it doesn't take into consideration some other scenario's.

Eg. If ye never touch that keg? Beer will simply mature in there for who knows how long.

Will it be primed with sugar, or given a shot of 'gas' by what ever method?

If ye crack the tap at any point; Will ye simultaneously crack the cap, thus allowing beer flow without the 'Suck Back' and gulping in of air caused if ye don't crack the lid at the well judged moment.

Do ye intend to replace the CO2 blanket as ye consume the beer?

I could probably go on. But, I want my dinner!

Bottom line is, mate: We'd really need more information, to devise a tighter response. Ye leaving too many variables.

[Bayerd]

Last weekend myself and friends cracked a barrell of this that was dropped on the 1st Dec last year, it was perfectly fine. I wouldn't mind betting that at low temperatures beer will keep for months, srong ales will probably keep for years undisturbed.

[rods1982]

Thanks for the replies folks - so once i've pressurised the barrel, either through priming or co2 injection, as long as air isn't introduced It'll keep for a good long while. good news.

I have the co2 injector, and yeah would replace the co2 as the beer goes down.

Cheers again,

R

[dunc]

If the keg is kept pressurised I've found its generally fit to drink for about six months. Not that it usually lasts that long.