BEER CELLAR THE HOPS >> cont. from page 11 imperial stout is one to two years. Quads, he said, are about the same, though he thinks most Belgians can be aged anywhere from three to five years. Some lambics have a 20-year shelf life, but Hotek does not recommend aging any beer longer than five years. Personally, he does not age most American craft beer longer than two years because the beers may oxidize if not capped properly.
LET 'em Chill The refrigerator can be an ideal place for aging beer.
Hotek recommends buying multiple bottles or a six-pack when aging. One bottle can be consumed fresh to provide a benchmark and the others can be opened at regular intervals (every six months or so). Beers that age well, Hotek said, will taste like they are supposed to. Those that have passed their prime will be stale and taste like cardboard. For the most part, aging is a lot about experimentation and personal experience. “Be patient, but not too patient,” said Hotek, who admitted to aging beers too long and dumping them down the drain. “It really is a guessing game.” It is a fun game, though, with potentially tasty results. Casey Wagner lives in Iowa City.
12 Feb. 20-Mar. 6 2013 | Little Village
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