cellaring beer

[gwynclan]

I have been cellaring christmas ales and IPA's for years. I am not talking about any main stream beers but like harpoons winter ale, Sammy smiths winter warmer and great lakes xmas ale. Save a 12 pack every year and keep good rotation.
Anyone else do this

Ohh and a good Belgium could also be found in my "cellar"

 

[buckley01]

Very good idea. Beer will cellar very well if the ABV"s are up there like your winter warmer's. I am a home brewer and I have some "Turbo Cider" that I make every year, the ABV is 16.5% and I have a few bottles still from 2 years ago. When ever I make a high alcohol beer especially a stout, porter or Belgium style I try remember to put a six pack in the back of the basement to "find" later and enjoy. Keep the brew in a dark cool place like a cellar or basement and you should be fine.

 

[eaglerico]

I wouldn't cellar it too long and I would make sure it stayed a consistent temp before you decided to refrigerate it to drink. Over time the hops and other ingredients can sour giving a very bitter beer. That's why Sam Adams and Budweiser have dates on the beer and take back any stock that is old.
I don't think it is bad to drink an old beer but I don't think aging it has quit the same affects as aging wine or baccy.

 

[gwynclan]

I too have been brewing for years have elaborate set up. I do cellar only high alcohol or hopped beer and most of the winter beers I cellar have spices which mellow in a years time. Of it has floaters yes its not good, the born on date ir sell by date was a ploy by budwieser years ago to get some of the craft beers a rap. When you use chemicals in your beer you need a born on date. When you brew with natural ingredients it lasts a lot longer. I am not saying to keep beer for 5the years but a year in a cool dark place can mellow out a beer.

Cellaring in the fridge is not really cellaring, it stops the natural aging process the yeast goes through.

 

[colorduke]

I always have beer in my cellar,but it doesn't last long.