Long Life Beer For Long Life

[Xoxon]

I'm building a porter that I'd like to bottle condition for at least several months.
Along with decent hopping for some preserving action, what else will help it last a long time?
Do the large sugars and proteins that give good body affect this one way or the other?
I'd like to keep the things that make it a chewy beer but avoid formation of/remove things that reduce cellar life.

 

[fcmcg]

I'm building a porter that I'd like to bottle condition for at least several months.
Along with decent hopping for some preserving action, what else will help it last a long time?
Do the large sugars and proteins that give good body affect this one way or the other?
I'd like to keep the things that make it a chewy beer but avoid formation of/remove things that reduce cellar life.

Recipe ??
This will help us , help you.....
Cheers
Ferg

 

[mikk]

I think storage temp is one of the biggies to consider. Polyclar is also meant to help with long term beer stability. Stronger beers usually last a lot longer too.
A few months isn't very long though- do your beers normally not taste very good at that stage?

 

[yum beer]

the best way to keep for several months is not to drink it before then...

just bottle as per normal, will store in bottles for yonks if the conditions are fine, ie temp and kept out of sunlight.

 

[Mikedub]

I agree with mikk and yum, , from my experience its takes a couple of months so settle down in the bottle and most beers will be drinking between 2-3 months to maybe 9 months or longer,

 

[Xoxon]

Ok great, time will tell - patience might be a virtue, but it isn't one of mine

Feg, this is what I'm planning, should end up at around 7% (from 1.071) with 24 IBUs;

Amt Name Type # %/IBU
6.276 kg Pale Malt (2 Row) US (3.9 EBC) Grain 1 79.1 %
0.500 kg Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (118.2 EBC) Grain 2 6.3 %
0.500 kg Chocolate Malt (689.5 EBC) Grain 3 6.3 %
0.500 kg Oats, Flaked (2.0 EBC) Grain 4 6.3 %
0.162 kg Black (Patent) Malt (985.0 EBC) Grain 5 2.0 %
51.78 g Fuggles [4.50 %] - Boil 60.0 min Hop 6 21.3 IBUs
200.00 g Malto-Dextrine (Boil 20.0 mins) Other 7 -
1.22 Items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 15.0 mins) Fining 8 -
10.36 g Fuggles [4.50 %] - Boil 15.0 min Hop 9 2.1 IBUs
10.36 g Fuggles [4.50 %] - Boil 5.0 min Hop 10 0.9 IBUs
8.62 g Fuggles [4.50 %] - Boil 0.0 min Hop 11 0.0 IBUs

 

[Mikedub]

I haven't made a porter so take this with a grain of salt (or gypsum), but 24 ibu looks a bit light on,

 

[doon]

I found my first all grain in the cupboard the other day. Two years old is definitely way too long to age

 

[bum]

I haven't made a porter so take this with a grain of salt (or gypsum), but 24 ibu looks a bit light on,

Exactly what I was thinking - especially in a 7%-er.

 

[Xoxon]

Righto, I'll crank the Fuggles a smidge to make sure it isn't sickly, I don't want it hoppy though.
Cheers lads.

 

[manticle]

~30 ibu in 7% porter will be fine.

Treating it gently during and post fermentation will help it last. The fact that it is dark and high-ish abv will also aid it lasting. Keep the bottles somewhere cool once they are carbonated.

 

[warra48]

It should last.

I still have a Stout brewed in July 2010, and it's still fine!