Kits that last longer bottled

[Steiney66]

Hi chaps- after the festive period Ive 70 litres worth of bottles that need filling again. My intention is to brew stronger type ales and leave them to condition up in the loft until autumn / winter (I havent got a loft ladder so Im hoping that will put me off sampling early!).

Anyway in the past I have made up strong Brewferm ales (Abbey, Xmas & Devil) which I assume will taste marvellous with that much conditioning. I intend to make up 25l of framboise as a starter which i believe is 5.5% so should be ok to leave longer, but I do love a Coopers Stout Ditch's style- I was wondering if there was any benefit to leaving it to mature? or would it even deteriorate as Im thinking of giving it 9 months up there?

I know I could just fill the eaves with barley wines, but are there any other kits that would improve over the longer time bottled.

Of course I may fail miserably at the first step (on the ladder ) so to speak!

Thanks in anticipation

Steiney

[b.all]

High alcohol and high hop levels are generally a good indication they'll last long. the other thing to be careful of is the way you brew it. make sure you avoid splashing it around too much as that will oxidise it and reduce the lifetime a lot.

[cwrw gwent]

My main concern would be the extremes of temperatures in a loft - mighty cold at the moment but very warm throughout the summer. If you haven't the luxury of a cellar it may be better to stash your bottles in stout cardboard boxes and store them in a more constant temperature e.g. an unheated room in the middle of the house or under the stairs.

[Steiney66]

Thanks for the advice lads.

I have some hallentau hops in the freezer & was wondering if I could boil up some liquid with them & add to the framboise. Or would that simply bugger the flavour up what with them being a lager hop rather than for an ale?

I was thinking about the temperature issue of the loft in the summer, & I think youve confirmed my fears that it wouldnt be regulated enough not to affect the beers conditioning.

I do have a cool room in the middle of the house but I fear ease of access will prevent any of the ales reaching their optimum condition so it may defeat my original object!

cheers! Steiney

[Manx Guy]

Hi!

I'd repeat cwrw's advice.... the variation and potential extreme tempratures in your loft/attic would not be good for storing beer....

I am lucky to have a 'sort of' cellar.... it between 7 and 12 degrees all year round! ideal for keeping beer in!

I have saved a few bottle from each of my brews and so far most beers have kept well for the 9-10 months I've been brewing....
Stored in a dark cool place.

I made an Brewferm Ambiorix and I suspect this would keep for several years with little deteriation in quality.
I plan to make a Coopers IPA in the coming weeks of which I'll keeop back 16 (450ml) bottles to age(for 3-6 months) and see how it develops...

Surprsingly once you have brewed and bottled a few different brews it is easy enough to avoid depleting your stocks!

I'd suggest that you make a few of the higher gravity well hopped brews then do a few light ales (Coopers Aussie Pale Ale) that will come into condition quickly (2-4 weeks after bottling) then brew every couple of weeks or so and you'll soon have a constant supply of beer... Once your stocks have built up you can then brew in advance fro any events BBQ's etc.

I'm doing lagers currently to stock up for summer... I try to avoid brewing from June until end of August....

Good luck & all the best with your brewing!!
Slainte!

[Steiney66]

mmmmm...

may have to build an underground insulated bomb shelter in the back yard then.

I'll pop down my local homebrew & see what Belgiums they have, then knock out a quick Ditchs for early consumption!

cheers again