Kegged brew longevity???

[crushnbugs]

Hi all, I have a question for those with time and experience under your belt.

I have been home brewing for about 2 years and usually my kegged beer goes rather fast (2-3 months) BUT since I expanded up to 4 taps my beer goes a lot slower nowadays.

I brewed up an American Lager for the wife July of 2012 and I am wondering how long in the keg it will last? Its been kegged since July 2012 and still going. Tastes ok I guess, I never was a fan of it to start but thats besides the point.

I also have Rye IPA on tap since August 2012, this one gave me a horrible case of flatulance last few pints I had. More so than I have ever experienced before. Has it turned on me?

I just made a Moose drool thats in the fermenter and Im looking forward to getting that on tap…

 

[Jerico]

I don't think it has turned, I have had fresh brews that have made me gassy.

Where did you find the Moose Drool recipe?

 

[Yooper]

The beer won't go bad in the sense it would spoil, but just like with commercial beers some stay at their peak for a bit longer than others. Keeping them in the fridge will slow down the aging process.

If you got gas from a beer that had been sitting a long time, I suspect more yeast fell out and the first pour or two got more yeast than usual.

 

[crushnbugs]

OK that makes sense, thanks. I did notice the IPA is not as hoppy as it was when first brewed but it still tastes good.

The Moose Drool came as a kit that my Brother picked up for me. Im not exactly sure where he found it. Im looking forward to getting it on tap...

 

[BBL_Brewer]

In my experience, the hoppier and lighter the beer, the faster you should drink it. I've had IPA's that mellowed out into pale ales after a couple months, still good, but the hops fade. Pale ales get a little bland, but still drinkable. Stouts, on the other hand, can sit for ever it seems like and just keep getting better as the beer mellows and the flavors blend.

 

[TopherM]

A beer in a keg that's been purged of O2 is a closed, anaeorobic system, basically like a big bottle, and would keep just like a bottle.

Of course, certain characteristics of beer, especially hop aroma, fade pretty fast, but overall beer at fridge temps will stay fresh for a pretty long time. Low ABV beers at fridge temps should keep for something on the order of 8-12 months, and higher ABV beers at fridge temps can easily keep for more like 2-3+ years.