How long will kegged beer keep?

[Yt2]

Hi guys,
I am going on holidays for 4 months, so if I make a batch now, will it be good when I get home?
How long will it keep it for?
Do I carbonate it or leave it straight from the barrel un-carbonated?
Cheers Yt2...

 

[bradmcm]

Carbonate it. Your beer will almost certainly be good in the keg for that long, unless you are making hazies.

 

[clickeral]

I've got a keg of Pilsner that has been lagering for over a year, you will be fine after 4months depending on the style and what level of oxygen exposure it had

 

[GregTheBrewer]

Just make sure your sanitising is spot on, and you'll be sweet. Definitely carbonate it.

 

[Yt2]

Thanks all...

 

[MHB]

What slows deterioration;
Temperature, the colder the better (well above freezing); Alcohol, it’s a preservative so more is going to help; Hops, too are a preservative, again, more will help; pH; the lower the harder it is for bacteria to survive (well except for a few that like or make acid).

Among a few other factors like keeping your oxygen pickup to a minimum, and the temperature stable...
Carbonation leads to the formation of carbonic acid and lowers the pH somewhat; there is evidence that higher pressure inhibits some bacteria, so it would help if it was kept cold and fully conditioned before you go on holidays
Mark