All About Beer
Your complete guide to beer - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Beer Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for beer in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
Unopened, cool, dark place (e.g., pantry)6-9 months for optimal quality, up to 12 months (quality declines over time)
Signs of Spoilage
Off-flavors (e.g., 'skunky' from light exposure, 'cardboard' from oxidation, sour notes), cloudy appearance (if not naturally hazy), significant sediment (if not expected for the style), or a 'wet paper' aroma.
How to Check
Check 'best by' or 'bottled on' dates. Pour into a clean, clear glass to observe clarity and color. Smell for unusual or unpleasant aromas (e.g., wet cardboard, vinegar, sulfur, skunk). Taste a small amount if appearance and smell are acceptable; look for flat, metallic, overly sweet, or distinctly sour flavors.
Storage Tips
Store upright to minimize contact between the beer and the cap/liner, reducing potential for off-flavors. Keep away from direct sunlight and significant temperature fluctuations, which accelerate spoilage. This method primarily preserves quality, not just safety, as beer rarely becomes unsafe to drink, but its taste profile can degrade significantly.
Unopened, refrigerated9-12 months for optimal quality, up to 18 months (quality declines over time)
Signs of Spoilage
Similar to pantry-stored beer, but degradation is significantly slowed. Look for off-flavors (e.g., oxidation notes becoming more prominent over extended periods), cloudy appearance (if not intended for the style), or unexpected sediment.
How to Check
As above: check dates, visually inspect clarity, smell for off-aromas, and taste for freshness. Refrigeration helps maintain freshness and intended flavor much longer than room temperature storage.
Storage Tips
Refrigeration is the best way to preserve the intended flavor and aroma profile of most beers, especially hoppy varieties, unpasteurized craft beers, and those with lower alcohol content. Store upright.
Opened, refrigerated1-2 days for best quality (carbonation loss is the primary issue), up to 3-4 days for cooking
Signs of Spoilage
Significant loss of carbonation (flat), stale taste, increased bitterness, or development of sour/vinegar notes due to oxidation and potential bacterial growth.
How to Check
Observe for lack of foam or bubbles when poured. Smell for stale or sour aromas. Taste for flatness, staleness, or sourness. If it tastes distinctly sour or vinegary, it's past its prime for drinking.
Storage Tips
To extend freshness slightly, cover the opening tightly with plastic wrap, foil, or a bottle stopper. While still safe for a few days, the quality (especially carbonation and fresh hop character) rapidly diminishes. Flat beer can still be suitable for cooking (e.g., in stews, marinades, bread recipes) if it hasn't developed unpleasant off-flavors.