Expert: Spencer W Thomas - 6/29/2008

Question
I was brewing for the first time at my house and due to a series of events I left it fermenting and never bottled it.  It has been 2 months.  Is the beer trash or can it be salvaged?  Thanks

Answer
If it was in a glass fermenter with an airlock, it is very likely just fine.  If in a plastic fermenter with an airlock, it might be somewhat oxidized but still drinkable.  If the airlock dried out, your risk goes up somewhat.

My suggestion: taste it.  If it tastes ok, go ahead and bottle it.

You might want to add a pinch of fresh (dried) yeast with your priming sugar, just to make sure that the yeast hasn't totally pooped out.  Any ale yeast will do for priming -- it won't change the flavor much if at all.