How long can you keep home brewed beers?

Question

I'm looking into making my own home brew, but I was wondering because it's live how long I will be able to store the beer in glass metal capped bottles, does the brand of kit make a difference or making it from scratch make a difference?

Answer 1

Brand or method shouldn't make a difference - it's the strength of the beer that normally matters. The stronger the beer, the longer the shelf-life.

There are other things that a brewer can do to increase the lifespan -

Oxygen is beer's enemy. When capping, let the caps rest on the tops of the bottles for a few minutes before crimping. This will allow the CO2 in the bottles to push out the oxygen at the top of the bottles.

Also, try not to allow too much head-space in the bottles. a 1/2 inch of space is all that is necessary for bottle conditioning - any more is potential for early spoilage.

Once you beer is fully conditioned try to keep in a cool dark area - not a refrigerator; they vibrate and slowly destroy beer.

All the best!

Answer 2

I have one beer that I won't open until it has bottle-conditioned for two years and others that have been around for several years. Generally, the stronger, darker, and hoppier beers age best. Which means that a good barleywine should last just about forever.

Answer 3

Should say on the packet/instructions

Drink it as soon as its ready

Yeah party time

Answer 4

Because of the homemade nature of the beer, I find most to be best within a year.  The hop flavors degrade after that.  It's like the difference between homemade bread, and store bought bread.

If you are a regular beer drinker though, I can't see it being around long enough to worry about!

Answer 5

now that depends on who you invite round for drinks lol

Answer 6

Beer is an amazingly resilant beverage and can be aged for decades in many cases. The thing to remember is that regardless of ABV and even if it has lost all carbonation or "gone off" there is nothing in beer that can harm you.

If you are looking to store it for long periods:

1. Stay away from fliptop bottles. The seals will degrade over time.

2. Stay away from green and clear bottles. Light is the enemy of beer. UV light breaks down the hops oils and skinks the beer.

3. Keep it cool, but not cold. Cellar temperature if possible. If you don't have the ability to cellar it see #4. Refrigerating it will slow the development...stunt the growth.

4. Consistent temperature is possible more important than cool temperatures...or at least just as important. Try not to let the beer go from one extreme to the other. Though temperature change skunking is a myth, extreme changes in temp will effect aging process and can make off flavors develop.

5. Beer should be stored in the upright position, unless a corked beer. this keeps the beer away from the cap. Corked beer, just like win, you want to keep the cork moist.

6. Pour your beer. This will allow you to see if any nastiness has developed before drinking.

7. Smell it after pouring. 90% of your sense of taste is based on smell...but the real reason is if it smell like foot jam it probably taste like it.

8. ABV and hoppiness don't matter...they do help. This is the reason we have IPAs and Russian Imperial Stouts today, but even lower ABV and slightly hopped beers can age well. You never know until you try.