Bottle-conditioned beer - how long?

[Gill]

Hi all,

So, my first batch (just a Caxton's Pilsner Strong Lager, nothing fancy for this first time!) is currently fermenting away in its bin, and should be ready to go into bottles sometime around the end of the weekend, or within the few days after. I've got swing-top bottles, and was wondering how long after it's ready to drink (I reckon about 4 weeks' time) will it still be good? I've heard different opinions on beer life in bottles, so I realise it's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question, but what would you think is a minimum life for it still being drinkable after it's all ready to be glugged?

I know it tends to have a shorter life in kegs, but I'm not sure that will be a problem when I put the Fixby Gold on to keg condition. My other half is...let's just say, really looking forward to it.

Gill.

[OldSpeckledBadger]

The general rule of thumb is a week for every 10 points of original gravity. So a beer with an OG 1.040 would need 4 weeks to mature (a week in the warm followed by three weeks in the cold) and a beer with an OG of 1.050 would need 5 weeks. Most kit beers have an OG of around 1.040 if made up to the usual 5 gallons so 4 weeks is about right for most kits.

[mysterio]

When it's carbonated and it tastes good it's done. This will depend on yeast strain, how much was left in the beer before you bottled, temperature, how much headspace is in the bottles....

Pop the first bottle after 14 days and let us know. The better your brewing technique, usually the quicker it will be ready.

[Mogwyth]

Well I don't know about Caxtons, but Coopers recommend 12 weeks for thier European larger.

Bottled yesterday.

[Gill]

Thanks for the answers everyone, but I'm a bit confused (as usual). I think the first replies are talking about conditioning time, and while that's useful information and I'm grateful for it, I was more wondering about the time I have to drink said beer AFTER it's conditioned and ready.

Is the "12 week" answer how long it's likely to be good for from the date it goes into the bottles, or once it's conditioned, carbonated and ready to drink?

Sorry for all this, and please have some patience while I'm learning! It's a relief to have somewhere to ask these questions as I've no idea if I'm doing the right thing at the moment!

Gill.

[Mogwyth]

Bottle conditioning is usually a week, the 12 weeks cooper recommends is what I call secondary conditioning ie when it's ready to drink.

As for shelf life that is a how long is a bit of string, for example some 130 yr old bottles of ale were found including Worthington White Shield which were perfectly drinkable. I would imagine 6-12 months is not to be unexpected, as long as the bottles were perfectly clean, beer properly conditioned and stored in cool conditions. Stronger beer keeps better than week ones.

[Gill]

Bottle conditioning is usually a week, the 12 weeks cooper recommends is what I call secondary conditioning ie when it's ready to drink.

Bear with me, I'm tired here.

So...the beer needs to be placed in the bottles from the fermentation bin and then conditioned for at least a week. However, it will be developing for about 12 weeks and changing in flavour over that time. And then, it should last (if properly brewed under decent clean circumstances) for at least 6 months if not longer? Have I understood that remotely correctly??

REALLY sorry for all the blatant newbie questions and need for reassurance. I promise I'm not normally this questioning! I just want to be absolutely clear. My plan was to put it into bottles once primary fermentation is over, add the priming sugar, seal and leave it for about 4 weeks before cracking any to try it.

Gill, who's probably making you guys tear their hair out already.

[trucker5774]

Hi Gill........................I reckon you just about summed it up. So here it is in simple form. Prime it and bottle it. Keep warm for about a week at fermenting temperature (about 20C) This will allow the beer to carbonate (if in plastic bottles they will feel hard) Then move to a cool place for about 2 weeks...............after the 2 weeks its just about at the earliest drinking point but will improve if left longer. The shelf life from this point should be about 6 to 12 months (if you think you can resist it) but who knows, kept cool in the dark it could last for years. Welcome along and good luck

[Gill]

Thanks a million Trucker, feel like I've a bit more understanding of what I'm doing now. You're a star.