Maturing

[Hillbilly]

I see that everybody has there own view about maturing. I find that fruit, wheat and pilsner beers are at there best 4 to 12 weeks old and that lagers, bitters and dark beers after 12 weeks old. I'm interested in what you think.

[Hillbilly]

Whoops, did'nt think it went through the first time sorry foks.

[Dogger Dan]

I was reading an article and they say it is ultimately up to you. I think 5 minutes is enough some days.

Normally min is two weeks optimum 4-6 weeks

Dogger

[db]

i find ales, providing fermentation is nice & clean (right temp, good sanitization etc), & the recipe is spot on, are best young - 4weeks is usually long enough.. lagers i cannot comment on yet.

[thehipone]

Generally, the more bitter and higher in alcohol the beer, the longer it needs to mature. Barleywines and double IPA's aren't at their best until a year or more sometimes. English ales can be ready as soon as they are carbonated a dn can actually decline in flavor with longer aging.

[Oliver]

I drank a 7-year-old homebrew imperial stout with my cousin at the weekend and it was superb. In fact, it's better than some previous bottles, so may be coming to its peak!

It's my No.19 at http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/ourhomebrews.html if you want to have a look at the ludicrous recipe (7kg liquid malt and 1.5kg of grain in 23 litres!).

Cheers,

Oliver

[Evo]

Yeah, that is my opinion too. Lighter beers are better after a short amount of time, heavier beers better after a longer time. I do find that with wheat beer, fresh is best. I'm not sure whether I just get sick of drinking wheat beer or whether the flavour declines with time.

[Hillbilly]

Thanks guys, looks like were on the same track.
Cheers,
Hillbilly