At some point, without probably even realizing it, you began your beer cellar. It usually starts innocently enough—stashing away an extra bottle from a four pack of barleywine, splurging on a second bottle of gueuze to let it mellow—and all of a sudden, you’ve got crates upon crates of happily maturing beer tucked away in your basement or closet.
This is a great thing. Not only is it a sign of your beer prowess, but it shows that you get that some beer just needs a quiet rest to really hit its stride. The overpowering booziness of that barleywine melts away leaving behind raisins and caramel, and the gueuze’s bracing acidity slowly softens and integrates, letting subtle nuances, such as rhubarb and cellar must, shine.
But, while the beer itself is, of course, an integral part of a beer cellar, it’s important to remember that more than just the bottles are required. You’ll find that there are a host of items that can lend a helping hand to cellarers. Whether it’s to aid the aging process, shed light on a bottle’s readiness, or elevate the drinking experience, be sure to consider the following items to bring your beer cellar to its utmost potential.