Fred Vintage Guide
A NOTE ABOUT AGING BEER
As beer ages, it blends and becomes smoother. Hop flavor gets milder and the sweet malt character increases. You’ll appreciate the subtle changes as beer ages and not expect it to taste the same as when it was young. Not all beer will improve with time, but the right bottle will provide results well worth the wait.
When building your beer ‘cellar’ there are a few basic rules that will help you be successful. First, alcohol is your friend; it will help preserve the flavors. Generally speaking beers over 8% ABV will age better. Though a few lower alcohol styles do improve with time, such as lambic and wild ales.
Secondly, refermentation in the bottle, or ‘bottle conditioning’ is helpful to extending a beer’s life. When we bottle, a small amount of fermenting beer is added to carbonate and extend its life. Store your bottles upright between 50 – 70 degrees, and in the dark, if possible.
I am often asked ‘How long should I age my beer?’ The answer can be very different depending on the results you want. Aging one or two years will help integrate the flavors and retain most of the character of when the beer was new. Three to ten years will bring out new flavors. This is when you start to decide which bottles to age longer and which ones to drink at that time. When ready to be enjoyed, sediment is to remain in the bottle as you pour.
Older bottles bring history with them. Drinking one that’s been aged properly can be a significant emotional experience. I hope you enjoy the adventure of collecting and aging as much as the results.
Cheers,
Alan