Shed storage of ale in Winter

[Jeltz]

I have a shed in which I have a pressure barrel that is maturing, I also currently have about 40 bottles ready to go for cold conditioning for a few weeks.

When Winter starts to kick in at what kind of temperature will I need to start worrying about my brews?

The alcohol should reduce the freezing point and the pressure may well have an effect but it would be good to know at what temperature I'm likely to get split barrels and broken bottles?

 

[brizleciderarmy]

I too would be keen to know the answer to this. I have stored my full bottles in cardboard boxes in the hope that they give just enough insulation from the cold.

 

[Graham]

Make that three. I have 44 bottles of European Lager and 42 of Australian Pale Ale currently in cardboard boxes on top of a wardrobe. I want to get these in the cold to condition, but the only option I have is my loft or my garage. I would prefer to put them in the garage but its detached from the house and gets no heat whatsoever. Also I live in Scotland.

 

[Windy]

Depends on the amount of alcohol and the pressure but the freezing point is likely to be around -2C or -3C for beer. Vodka will stay liquid until nearly -30C

However a barrel will hold some heat overnight and it may not actually form ice until a fair bit cooler than the freezing point.

If it stays below zero all day then start worrying :?

 

[matchles1]

all my ale lager is bottled and barreled in the shed in winter after conditioning, i have done this for years never had a frozen one yet, 3yrs ago it was bad for weeks with snow on the ground and ice but all was good in the shed. dont worry this is GB not iceland. :

 

[graysalchemy]

I store all my beers in my workshop and any of my customers who visit me will know it rarely gets above freezing in winter. They will be fine just keep them off a concrete floor and if you have concerns cover them up. :thumb:

 

[Jeltz]

Sounds good. If we get a forecast of a prolonged sub zero situation then I guess I can put a heater with a frost guard in there.

 

[cask is best]

Centuries ago when i first started home brew [ with very limited success. To young and inpatient] I Lived in a two up two down back yard house no shed no storage in house so my barrel was sat on the ladders which were hung on the wall in the yard outside all winter never had a frozen barrel. So i would not worry about storing in the shed.
Those were the days if i was on lates i use to get home around 1am go outside sometimes wipe the snow off the barrel wipe the tap with a clean cloth [ if i could be bothered] and pour a brew. Sometimes i had to unscrew the cap to let the brew out because it had gone flat. but hey it was a pint.
Now I'm older greyer but wiser and brewing ale to a very reasonable standard

 

[Dunfie]

I have always kept my beer in my garage and the only time I had any problems was two years ago when the temps dropped to -20C.

 

[graysalchemy]

Dunfie you weren't trying to do something your not ment to there were you :whistle: :whistle:

 

[Dunfie]

Dunfie you weren't trying to do something your not ment to there were you :whistle: :whistle:

I never even thought of that. :lol:

I was absolutely gutted at the time as I lost 18 bottles.