Which Beers Improve Most With Age?
Wine connoisseurs know that the best wines come from old vintages that have been left to age for some time before opening the bottle. That fact has even made its way into the broader consciousness with the expression ‘aged like fine wine.' But can breweries in Seattle achieve the same improvement in the drinks they offer by aging beer before serving it to their customers?
The answer isn't a straightforward yes or no. While some beers improve after being left to age for some time prior to consumption, there's no guarantee that a beer will be improved by leaving it in a cellar for a while. To clear up any confusion on this subject, we'll take a look at different kinds of beers below and whether or not they improve by being left to age for a time.
Which Beers Improve Most With Age?
As a general rule, darker beers age better than light beers. Beer with a high alcohol content tends to respond to aging better than other beers. The exception to this second rule is high alcohol content beers which feature hoppy, fruity, or other subtle flavor notes. The compounds responsible for these flavors tend to break down with time, meaning these beers are better off enjoyed fresh.
Aging beer can have a number of benefits if done properly and with the correct type of beer. It can bring out different flavors in the beer, such as bready flavors, earthy notes, and woody or metallic aftertastes. It also tends to reduce the bitterness of the beer as the hops lose some of their potency over time.
How to Create the Environment for Aging Beer
While the kind of beer you're leaving to age is important, it's just as vital to create the right conditions for the beer to age properly. This process, otherwise known as ‘cellaring' beer, requires control over the environmental factors the beer will be exposed to. Here are some of the factors that need to be controlled in order to properly age beer.
Light
It's best to store beer for aging in a dark space with minimal light exposure. Ultraviolet light reacts with the compounds in beer and can lead to a skunky flavor that every beer drinker finds unpleasant. Avoid this issue by storing any beer you're leaving to age in a dark place and keep any light exposure to a minimum. Barrels and dark-glass bottles can also assist with avoiding excessive light exposure.
Temperature
Controlling temperature is another key step in the aging process. Warmer temperatures will accelerate the aging process. In most cases, you'll want to go for a slower, more gradual aging, so warm temperatures should be avoided. Keep the beer in a cool or cold place, but don't expose it to freezing temperatures as this can interfere with aging.
Movement
Too much movement can cause the compounds suspended in beer to break down or otherwise change. Agitation also increases the rate of the oxidation process, which also has an impact on the beer's overall flavor. To get the best results when leaving beer to age over time, it's best to stow the beer away and minimize any moving until it's adequately aged and ready to be served.
Beers That Improve with Age
Wondering what types of beer will benefit from being left to age a while before you crack them open to enjoy a sip? We'll take a look at some of the different varieties of beer that respond best to being left to age for a while below.
Strong Ales
As we mentioned before, there's a relation between the alcohol content of a beer and how well it responds to aging. Strong ales have a high alcohol content, usually between 7% and 11% ABV. Leaving these beers to age for a time can bring out the natural flavor of the beer and even impart an almost meaty or brothy flavor to it, giving a different experience than drinking it freshly brewed will create.
Barley Wine
Despite its name, barley wine is actually a type of ale. It usually falls on the higher end of alcohol content in beer, typically rated between 6% and 12% ABV. If poured too soon, the high alcohol content can lead to an overwhelmingly bitter flavor that some beer drinkers might not enjoy. Leaving this beer to age for some time takes the edge off the flavor and makes it a more enjoyable drink.
Belgian Lambic Beer
This traditional Belgian beer has been brewed in the Pajottenland region of the country since the 13th century, making this a beer with a longstanding pedigree behind it. It has always been a tradition to leave this beer to barrel-age for a time before serving it. This can help to enhance the overall character of the beer, decreasing the bitterness and bringing out a unique woody character that results from the barrel-aging process.
Beers Best Enjoyed Fresh
While there are some varieties of beer that benefit from being left to age for a while, there are others that are best enjoyed as fresh as possible from when they were brewed. Here are some types of beer that shouldn't be left to age and should instead be sipped on while still fresh.
Pale Ales
Pale ales and other beers that emphasize the hoppiness of their brew are known for their characteristic flavor. The taste and aroma of the hops will begin to diminish over time, however. That's why it's best to enjoy pale ales and other hoppy beers when they're still fresh rather than cellaring them for any amount of time.
Wheat Beers
As you might guess from the name, wheat beer is made with a high proportion of wheat compared to the amount of malted barley used in the brewing process. While this isn't a very hops-forward beer, there are still other aspects of this beer that become lost over time. The clove-like and banana-like flavor notes that this beer gives off will fade with time, meaning this beer isn't a great choice for aging.
Beers with Fruity Notes
Some kinds of beer, such as German Weisse beers or certain Belgian ales, are well-loved for the fruity notes that drinkers enjoy when sipping on them. These fruity flavors come from compounds present in the beer called esters. Esters break down over time and cause that flavor to diminish, so these beers should be enjoyed while they're freshly brewed in order to experience their full flavor profile.
Get the Best Beer from Breweries in Seattle
While brewing and cellaring your own beer is one way to get a satisfying drink, you can also leave it to the professionals to guarantee you'll get the best quality product. Our brewing experts know all the tricks of the trade for producing and aging beer to ensure the finest beverage possible ends up in your glass.
Our brewery serves up the finest beer you can find in our area. With a wide variety of different craft brews to offer, we have something for everybody on our menu. Come in today and enjoy the exceptional service and even better beverages that we have to offer you. Visit Lowercase Brewing today and enjoy a drink brewed by someone as passionate about beer as you are!
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