How long will beer keep

frederick · Post by **frederick** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:12 am

Hi all... not yet finished brewing my first but here is a question.. assuming you have added CO2 to the keg how long will the beer keep without going off. For example... a 40 pint brew.. if one drinks half a pint a day that is about three months.. what is the longest one can leave the brew for because if one has say three kegs lined up that could mean a nine month standing time.
From what I understand it is exposure to air that degrades the beer so as long as one keeps the excess space above the beer filled with CO2 the beer might be ok.
What is the general opinion.... Frederick

frederick · Post by **frederick** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:52 am

Once again... thank you Daab
Regards... Frederick

scott6 · Post by **scott6** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:47 pm

I have an ale still on the go from 6 months ago and tastes great. In fact it is clearer than ever.

opentoideas · Post by **opentoideas** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:50 pm

I tend to have more of a problem with giving it enough time to condition!

how long will it last? - dont know! its usualy gone by the time its conditioned

Post by **Aleman** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:02 pm

I've had a strong mild, that was truly abused while brewing, last for 9 months in a king keg

As long as you are careful with sanitation, and take reasonable steps to prevent too much splashing during transfers, then beer will last some time, dark beers fare better than pale ones.

They will change over time, taking on different characteristics, but not necessarily 'off' ones

PMH0810 · Post by **PMH0810** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:46 pm

Silly extension to the question

How long in capped brown glass pint bottles?

Post by **Jim** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:56 pm

PMH0810 wrote:Silly extension to the question

How long in capped brown glass pint bottles?

Some barley wines are supposed to be aged for 25 years before they're ready.

Generally speaking, though normal ales will last longer in a bottle than in a keg.

PMH0810 · Post by **PMH0810** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:16 am

Good stuff - thank you! Was going to test my resolve and hold 4 pints of each brew bottled; drinking 2 of each at 6 and 12 month intervals, just to see what develops!

edit1now · Post by **edit1now** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:45 pm

I've made things that were over-hopped or a bit marmite-y when bottled, but have been pretty OK 18 months or two years later, bottled and primed in brown glass and stored in my shed.

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How long will beer keep

How long will beer keep