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A New Problem Is Brewing in the Beer Industry: One Million Kegs Are Going Stale

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71–80 of 122 posts

Re: A New Problem Is Brewing in the Beer Industry: One Million Kegs Are Going Stale

#71
post #60
post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That would ruin all the beer barrels though, which would be an expensive mistake.

Kegs of beer are stainless steel, is vinegar strong enough to ruin that?

It’s not so much the vinegar as it is the acetobacter bacteria that could quickly spoil the next beer to go into it. Brewers typically keep inoculated containers separate from non-inoculated containers to prevent unwanted souring or, in this case, vinegar.

Re: A New Problem Is Brewing in the Beer Industry: One Million Kegs Are Going Stale

#72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought that the whole point of Indian Pale Ale was that it would last longer, as in it would survive a sea voyage from England to India in the 1800s (6 months)

It would go unspoiled, which is a bit different of a thing than tasting it's best. Grain has quite a bit of lactic acid producing bacteria in it, on top of it's just being readily available in nature in general, so breweries naturally have a ton of it around. Most common lacto and pedio bacteria, the primary two type of LAB, is not very tolerant to hops. If you make a really hoppy beer, this naturally helps prevent t…

To add to this, the high alcohol content typically found in IPAs helped with transportation, too.

And, if you’re not a fan of extra-hoppy ipas, letting an ipa age will mute the hoppy flavor and could potentially make a more enjoyable beer.

Re: A New Problem Is Brewing in the Beer Industry: One Million Kegs Are Going Stale

#74
post #38

My son in college (well in his apt with his gf, taking classes online) could easily take care of one before it expired. Hell, we could too. In Germany we had the “beer man” who would drop off beer weekly and collect the empties. This should be adopted in the USA.

Most of us don’t have the equipment to tap a keg at home, and I seriously doubt that the rental services for hand pump sankey taps could keep up with the spike in demand.

Re: A New Problem Is Brewing in the Beer Industry: One Million Kegs Are Going Stale

#75
post #49

We here in South Africa, we have actually banned the sale of alcohol and cigarettes while in lock-down for almost a month now.

The only thing stopping Americans from seriously protesting is cheap beer & cigarettes & sports on TV. One is already gone, there is no way they'll take away the others.

Yep. Thankfully I've got enough booze stocked up that even if the liquor stores shut down I'd be good for awhile, and I don't smoke so that's a non-factor for me. The lack of hockey and NASCAR is annoying but manageable.

Re: A New Problem Is Brewing in the Beer Industry: One Million Kegs Are Going Stale

#76

We here in South Africa, we have actually banned the sale of alcohol and cigarettes while in lock-down for almost a month now.

I’ve heard some of the arguments against alcohol consumption during the pandemic, and I don’t buy it.

Sure, it’s true that alcohol lowers your immune system and requires trips to stores. But a big portion of whether or not we’ll make it out of this with lower fatalities will be about our ability to maintain quarantine. And honestly, people are bored and freaked out, recreational substances give them one more thing to do that’ll keep them inside and safe-ish.

Re: A New Problem Is Brewing in the Beer Industry: One Million Kegs Are Going Stale

#77

"I volunteer!" I gasp. “I volunteer as tribute!” (AL located currently)

Yeah, if any breweries or restaurants or what have you here in Reno are facing this issue, I'd be happy to help "store" some of it. Know quite a few buddies here in town who'd likely feel the same.

Re: A New Problem Is Brewing in the Beer Industry: One Million Kegs Are Going Stale

#78
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kegs of beer are stainless steel, is vinegar strong enough to ruin that?

It’s not so much the vinegar as it is the acetobacter bacteria that could quickly spoil the next beer to go into it. Brewers typically keep inoculated containers separate from non-inoculated containers to prevent unwanted souring or, in this case, vinegar.

Is it not possible to re-inoculate the container? Seems like that should be a solved problem by now.

Re: A New Problem Is Brewing in the Beer Industry: One Million Kegs Are Going Stale

#79

We here in South Africa, we have actually banned the sale of alcohol and cigarettes while in lock-down for almost a month now.

You'd think that other countries would learn from America's historical mistakes.

On the other hand, I look forward to someday watching the South African version of NASCAR this will surely spawn.

Re: A New Problem Is Brewing in the Beer Industry: One Million Kegs Are Going Stale

#80

We here in South Africa, we have actually banned the sale of alcohol and cigarettes while in lock-down for almost a month now.

I’ve heard some of the arguments against alcohol consumption during the pandemic, and I don’t buy it. Sure, it’s true that alcohol lowers your immune system and requires trips to stores. But a big portion of whether or not we’ll make it out of this with lower fatalities will be about our ability to maintain quarantine. And honestly, people are bored and freaked out, recreational substances give them one more thing to…

Yep. If anything alcohol has helped me maintain quarantine, since if I'm too drunk or high to drive then I'm that much more inclined to stay home.
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