Beer guns for bottling

[Waterlogged]

Hi all.  I have just finished bottling my 2 competition beers by keg carbonation and then dispensing the beer into frozen bottles using a picnic tab with a beer wand inserted in the end.  This worked so well, I kept adding bottles to the freezer and over a weekend, managed to bottle 2 whole kegs worth. I overfilled a bit so some foam came out which I hope means so did all the air.  Anyway, has anyone ever used this method and if so, how long will the beer last?  When I bottle condition, you would think that there wold be more air left in the bottles than this method.  Anyway, may now be in the market for a beer gun.  Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Al-Loves-Wine]

This is how I do all of mine, I've had them sitting for 2 months and still have plenty carbonation when popping the top.

In comparison, I just did an IPA to free up my keg and bottled with the bottles warm, and its not even close to how much better bottling into chilled bottles is carbonation wise.

[Waterlogged]

Good to know.  I still think a beer gun may go on my christmas wishlist.

[Chris Craig]

Don't forget, you'll need the accessory kit too.  That's another $30.

[Waterlogged]

Yeah, I read that. You think they would just add it to the cost and include it. Does the club have one? I wouldn't mind trying one before I buy one.  I noticed in your list of beers you have one "cellered". What does that mean exactly?

[Chris Craig]

We're discussing the purchase of a beer gun.  It'll likely happen, but we haven't voted on it yet.

I have beer that is kegged and carbonated, but not in my beer fridge.  It's in a freezer set at 2ºC.  I consider it cellared even though it's not in an actual cellar.

[Waterlogged]

 Cool, put me down for a yes vote even if I am not at the meeting. I have a keged and carbed pale ale in me actual celler. It is about a month old. How long can I let it sit there?

[Chris Craig]

There's no real good answer for that question.  Remember that the beer isn't pasteurised.  The beer will change over time because the yeast will continue to work away.  The hop character will also diminish no matter the temperature.  If you didn't account for the decrease in hop presence when you brewed the beer, you may find it a bit sweet.

Overall, your beer will probably peak in flavour at about 3 months, so I'd say 4-6 months maximum.   There are many other things to consider though.  High gravity beers benefit from long aging, but temperature control is important, for example.