I know different styles require different aging times and it seems like a good rule of thumb is the higher the fg the longer the aging. But is aging time solely a function of gravity or are there other factors to consider?
I’ve never really thought it was all about gravity. I usually think about it more from a dark verse light decision. I will keep dark beers like porters and stouts in starage for long periods of time because they develop very nicely over longer timeframes. High alcohol beers will also age well but I do not keep light colored beers in storage for long periods.
Not really scientific but it has worked for me.
Paul
Also, the really hop forward brews don’t seem to benefit so much from aging as the hop aroma/flavor dissipates with time.
I’d say there is no hard and fast rule. Some of the low gravity beers need aged the longest, such as Berliner weisse. Where as some high gravity beers are best when young, such as IIPA.
Another point is sanitation. The longer you plan to age a beer, the more immaculate your sanitation needs to be. I also agree that it depends a lot on what style you’re aiming for: the same beer sampled young might be considered an IIPA. Age it a couple years and you could call it a barleywine.
Some light or lighter colored beers can benefit from extended aging as well. Consider a a lager like Samiclaus or some of the Belgian styles. Gravity is one of the key factors for choosing which beers to cellar, though it’s not the whole picture.
Your personal tastes and preferences.
I’ll add that if your beer isn’t very good before aging that you need to change something in your brewing process.
Aging goes a long way toward removing unwanted flavors, including some fairly bad ones. Live yeast work wonders.
If you HAVE to age, take a look at your process.
Aging can bring in some outstanding oxidition notes (dark fruits, sherry).
But the bottom line is your personal tastes and preferences.
Good points and I agree completely. I haven’t really brewed beers like those (yet) so I wasn’t thinking that way.
Paul
Thanks for the info guys. As with many of the things I am learning in this new hobby, there really is no hard and fast rule.
Iwouldn’t call the long storage of a Berlinner weisse or lambic, to be aging in the strict sense of the word. Its more of an extended fermentation with bacteria and Brett, they take a long time and theres a progression of organisms that work their way through your beer.
Good point… extended fermentation is very different from aging (cellaring in bottle, or keg)
Explain what light colored Belgian beers age well? Triples & pales,blonds all peak within 1-2yrs, Some saisons do age ok, same for Orval but really most of the lighter colored tend to be better at a younger age.
I wouldn’t say they go bad but some really drop-off really fast, Duvel comes to mind.
Certainly some of the Trappist Tripels, Westmalle & Westvleteren are two that come to mind. I’ve had some great vintage examples of both. Another style would be the Golden Strongs. You say Duvel drops off really fast. In some side by sides with Duvel, a number of us prefered the 2-3 year old examples to the fresh.
Where in FL are you, Uthristy?
If you’re interested in attending some tastings of vintage beers and are close enough to make a trip to Ocala, go ahead and pm me. Jim Ritchhart, one of our club members (of Gainesville’s Hogtwon Brewers) lives in Ocala. He puts on vintage beer tastings on a semi-regular basis. I help him organize those. Let me know if you’re interested.
< edit to add Blond beers >
(Blond ->Westmalle & Westvleteren I like fresh, the darker beers do get far better with age. The thing with Duvel was when we had delivered fresh that morning vs bottles a few weeks older. The fresher was bursting with hoppy aroma with a huge rocky head, while the slighty older was already fading. Nit picky but it really made a impression on how fast beer can change.
Close enough that you may have drank some of my beers :o
But really my wife signed us up to Hogtwon Brewers several yrs ago but we never went, LOL
We’re by Newberry & Trenton.
I’ve heard about Jim Ritchhart from http://belgianbeerboard.com/, we also visit Belgium alot.
Our beer _ tour pics
http://s821.photobucket.com/home/UknowWho2u
Uthristy,
tried to pm you but blocked.
We’d love to have you guys join us at our meetings if you’re still interested in joining Hogtown Brewers. We do the beer booth at the Medieval Faire each year - that’s coming up real fast - last weekend in Jan, first weekend in Feb. Stop by the booth & ask for me if you come. I’ll buy you a beer.
If you love Belgian’s and travel over there, you have to meet Jim Ritchhart. He’s a great guy and a Belgian & vintage beer fanatic. He goes over generally a couple times each year. He collects some phenomenal beers & loves to share it with like minded folks at his tastings. He’ll be at the Faire but I’m not sure which days or weekend.
anyway, look forward to meeting you at some point. give me a call or pm
Mark Tumarkin
direct work # - 352-333-3467
cell 352-562-5390
Newb question - what’s an IIPA? IPA - yes, india pale ale… but… uh… is IIPA a typo?
Imperial IPA or Double IPA
For more info on IIPA see BJCP 2008 Style Guidelines - Category 14 - and for heavens sake get your hands on a good one and drink it!