Beer storage in Melb in winter?

[Oscar]

OK, so I have done a Coopers Lager brew.

1 week in fermenter (til I got a constant SG reading).
Then bottled with 2 carbination drops per 640ml PET bottle.

Then 1 week in bottle in my house to keep the temp at around 20-22degrees.
otta love ducted heating!

I understand I need to let them sit for another 2 weeks (minimum) before I crack a taste. 3 months is (from what I have read) the best before tasting.
Can I store the bottles in my garage where the overnight temp prob is approx 8 - 10 degrees celsius?? Can they
Also, my stout is about to be bottled. Can I garage these too after 1 week in the bottles inside?

Hopefully temp doesn't worry them outside as my Mrs will kill me if I load the kitchen with any more beer

[Paleman]

Oscar......as long as your brewing temperature was around 20 degrees. The nectar in your bottles can be stored at a lower temp. But it will take much longer for them to mature and gass up.

Your a new brewer, so just remember to nuture your fermenter. Let it bubble away at 20 degrees if you can, then leave it go for longer. Rule of thumb is 7 days ferment at a good temp.

You can rack, but i never did. Use your Hydrometer. You want two readings the same over two days.

When you are really sure you can bottle......bottle. If its cold around your bottle storage area, then its going to take longer for bottles to gass. much longer.

Then if you really want a good home brew, you need patience, wait and wait. Give it another two months. Its worth it.

[Oliver]

Oscar,

Provided you give your beer adequate time (a week should be plenty) to carbonate in the bottle at 20C or so (i.e. inside), storing them outside in the cold will be fine. In fact, the lower the temperature the better as far as storage goes. Maturation will be slowed, but their shelf life will be lengthened significantly.

Cheers,

Oliver

[Redsicks]

I store mine under the house where it's cool all year round.
Night temps maybe approx 8 - 10 degrees celsius, but how warm does the garage get during the day?
Even during winter we get some sunny days in Melbourne my tin garage will get pretty warm.