The most important factors to keep in mind are heat and light. Or to be more precise, think cool and dark. Light, especially direct sunlight, is your beer’s worst enemy. If you actually have a cellar to store your beer, sunlight may not be an issue, but remember, many basements have small windows.
The Best Temperature
What is the best temperature for your beer? That depends on your beer, but in general, shoot for no more than 68 degrees, and try to keep the temperature steady. Any warmer, and you risk shortening the lifespan of your beer, or ending up with a smelly, undrinkable brew. Does this mean that cooler is better? Only to a point. If your beer is too cold, you can bring on a cloudiness known as “chill haze,” and beer served too cold will have less aroma and less flavor.
If possible, cellar your beer at the recommended serving temperature – higher alcohol beers, like strong beers, will do well at just below room temperature (55-60 degrees), while standard ales should be a bit cooler (50-55 degrees) and lighters beers do best chilled (45-50 degrees).
Should you use a refrigerator to age beer? There are arguments to be made either way. Beer, like wine, ages best in a moderately humid place, and refrigerators are designed to keep food cold and dry. Many experts believe that a standard refrigerator can dehydrate cork or the rubber seal on caps. This will allow more air to get into the bottle, possibly oxidizing the beer and shortening its life. For long-term cellaring, it may be best to avoid a refrigerator, especially for corked beers.
Straight Up or Sideways?
Another issue for debate is whether beer should be stored upright or on its side. Some insist the old school wine way is best and will prevent the cork or cap from drying out. That sounds logical, but the logic doesn’t hold up. The materials used in modern bottle caps are not prone to shrinkage. And cork makes good bottle stoppers precisely because the cells are almost impermeable – they’re not going to soak up moisture from the inside of the bottle.
Keeping beer on its side does increase the possibility of having the beer in constant contact with the cork, which could allow the beer to absorb flavors from the cork. It also increases the surface area of the beer that’s in contact with the air, increasing the amount of oxidation occurring in the bottle. And last, many of the best beers for aging contain yeast. If the bottle is stored on its side, that’s where the yeast and other sediment will settle. Let it settle to the bottom, where it’s less likely to end up in your glass.
Make That Two
When you choose the beers to age, make sure you buy at least two of each. Drink one immediately, so that you have a basis for comparison once the beer is aged. Then set the other aside for at least 6 months or a year. Better yet, buy enough to have several in the cellar. Try one at 6 months, then a year, two years, and so on.
So, what should you expect when you do open one of your treasures? Well, who knows? Some beers age well, some don’t. Some beers will be excellent if you drink them within a year or two, some beers have been put down for 25 years or more with excellent results. Some brewers can make very good predictions about the results, and some have no idea. Just remember, the experimentation is part of the fun!
