My batch starts/tastes perfect, then ..... ?

[Brewer #5458]

Hi all, wondering if you can add some thoughts on an issue I have: When I brew, I get my hoppiness / bitterness just the way I want it. But after 4-5 months or so, the brew seems to have "tempered" rather significantly. In other words, it is no longer as hoppy and bitter as when bottled. Thoughts?

 

[Bigbre04]

Hoppy beers, especially IPAs and pale ales really should be consumed ASAP. The hops will quickly degrade.

Don't "age" IPAs, or hoppy beers. unless they are super strong, but even then you know that they will very much change over time.

i generally want ipas to age for about a week after they are carbonated before they are tapped.

You really only should expect a shelf life of 3 months maximum for an IPA. This applies to commercial examples that are properly packed with low Oxygen and minimal light contact. Bottle priming can certainly help but you should still try to drink the beer as fast as you can.

 

[Dave Y]

THIS.

The only beers that 'age' well are BIG ones; aka high ABV like Belgian Tripel, Wee Heavy, etc. The hop characteristics will mellow over time and definitely change the beer. For a hop forward expression - say 40-45 IBU Pils or higher IBU pale, this can really mute the primary characteristics that make it enjoyable. For malt forward beers, you may be able to skate by a little longer, but they're not doing anybody any good sitting in cold storage...

 

[Bigbre04]

THIS.

The only beers that 'age' well are BIG ones; aka high ABV like Belgian Tripel, Wee Heavy, etc. The hop characteristics will mellow over time and definitely change the beer. For a hop forward expression - say 40-45 IBU Pils or higher IBU pale, this can really mute the primary characteristics that make it enjoyable. For malt forward beers, you may be able to skate by a little longer, but they're not doing anybody any good sitting in cold storage...

my idiot bartenders are unable to tap kegs in the correct order. They tapped my 6 month old 9.2% belgian tripel early...it is fucking awesome!

 

[Zambi]

Mine never last that long...
But yes, I think most beer benefit from a "holding" period on a couple of weeks, except for those big monsters

 

[J A]

Lagers do well after several weeks or even months.
Stouts, Browns, Reds and Ambers seem to like a week or two of age and then hold pretty well for a while.
IPAs are better if they rest and settle for maybe a week and then are consumed within a month or so.
Hazy/Juicy Pales and IPAs as well as Wits and Hefes should be drank pretty much immediately.
It's tough to drink up beers in a timely fashion if you're brewing enough to stock up. Just expect IPAs to be different toward the end of the run. If you keg, you can freshen hops with a hop spider in the keg when things start to fade or even blend an older, faded IPA with a fresher one that's similar. If you're holding bottles, be sure to keep them cold, if possible and enjoy it for what it is.

 

[Craigerrr]

IPA is always best enjoyed as fresh as possible!
Hops do fade over time

 

[Minbari]

One other unit to consider. How well are you keeping oxidation down? It only takes a minute to oxidize beer enough to reduce its life considerably

 

[Craigerrr]

One other unit to consider. How well are you keeping oxidation down? It only takes a minute to oxidize beer enough to reduce its life considerably

Good point

 

[Sandy Feet]

Hi all, wondering if you can add some thoughts on an issue I have: When I brew, I get my hoppiness / bitterness just the way I want it. But after 4-5 months or so, the brew seems to have "tempered" rather significantly. In other words, it is no longer as hoppy and bitter as when bottled. Thoughts?

Drink it after it has a little time instead of wasting an IPA in the closet

 

[Brew Cat]

Hi all, wondering if you can add some thoughts on an issue I have: When I brew, I get my hoppiness / bitterness just the way I want it. But after 4-5 months or so, the brew seems to have "tempered" rather significantly. In other words, it is no longer as hoppy and bitter as when bottled. Thoughts?

all beers change with time some for the better some for the worse
choose wisely