How long does beer stay fresh in the barrel?

[napalm]

I've read that beer will stay 'good' in a plastic pressure barrel for a month or so, i've also read that you should condition it for around six weeks. So my question is when does the beer stop conditioning and start going stale? I'm wondering if when i open the tap to pour (to check the ale for clarity & carbonation) am i letting air in at the same time?

cheers.

[Jim]

Well made beer should keep in a barrel for up to 6 months. As long as you don't let any air in through the tap (by making sure you keep the pressure up by injecting more CO2 into the barrel via the injector as you take beer out) you shouldn't reduce its lifespan too much.

Beer that's been fermented too warm can go off quicker (apparently) and stronger, hoppier brews last longer than weak, feeble brews.

[napalm]

Cheers jim!

[Lillywhite]

I've had it on good authority, not that I've put it to the test , that some brewers have had it in a plastic keg for up to 12 months and it's been sound provided, of course, it's protected by a layer of CO2.

[mysterio]

Depends on how good your sanitation was and what temperature you're storing the beer at. Beer will last exponentially longer at cool temps than it will at room temps.