How long does beer last in the fridge? Once you buy a pack of beer and put it in the fridge, the general rule of thumb is it will last up to 9 months, but it depends on what the expiration date on the can or bottle says.
A lot of people across the globe love to enjoy a relaxing time with a cold drink in their hands. However, many don’t realize that beer may eventually be go bad.
If you store it in the refrigerator, you may think it’s going to last for a long time, but that’s simply not true.
As time goes by as time passes, the quality of the beer will diminish and it will turn into something you would never like to drink.
Whatever your preference, whether you love making beer-based dishes and including it in your recipes or enjoying a refreshing drink occasionally it’s always good to be aware of the length of time your beer will remain in the refrigerator.
In the end, no one would want to ruin their night because they consumed alcohol that was long past the expiration date.
The expiration date for beer is typically found at the base (for beer cans) or on the neck (for beer bottles). Sometimes, the expiration date may be located on the bottle’s label.
Beer however is not a “use-by” date therefore it can be consumed for months after the expiration date.
How Long Do You Have to Keep Your Beer In the Fridge?
Many people may think that different types of beer like cans or bottles, will last for different lengths of time.
But, the length of time beer can last is fairly universal.
Bottled, canned, and homemade beer lasts for around 9 months maximum if you store it inside your refrigerator.
That being said, however, no one wants the lukewarm beverage that’s been in the pantry for the majority of the year.
This is why the majority of people store their beers in their fridges This is one of the most beneficial options you can make to protect your beer.
If you decide to store it in the fridge regardless of whether it’s bottles or cans or if you made your beer (assuming you’ve followed the steps properly) your beer will last between 6 months to 2 years at the very least.
Some beers aren’t able to stand up to time, keeping your beverage in the fridge is about the best method to ensure its preservation when you purchase a huge bottle of beer. You can save it to use in the future.
But, it’s vital to be aware of what to expect if your beer becomes stale.
No one wants to open an alcoholic beverage and then drink it only to discover that it’s been running out for a long time.
In this regard, it’s crucial to know the appearance, smells as well as tastes.
What Can You Tell If Beer Is Spilled?
Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to recognize when your beer is stale.
In most cases it is possible to smell it, hear it, or, in the worst-case scenario, you’ll be capable of tasting it.
When you first open your drink the traditional sound of beer opening will not be present. This should be the first clue that your drink isn’t safe to drink.
Similar to that, the majority of people would expect there to be a small amount of foam rising out when you open the bottle. If there is no foam it is a sign that your drink has reached its expiry date, and it’s better to avoid taking it in.
If you own beer bottles that you have, you’ll be capable of determining whether the beer has gone well or otherwise. If the bottle looks dirty, but not necessarily because of dust inside the bottle it is advisable to exercise some care when drinking your beer.
The label may also get discolored, and there may be some leaking on the caps of bottles.
The two indicators above show that the beverage has been in the heat all day long, and is not safe for drinking by anyone.
Another thing you may want to look at includes the label on the bottle. If it appears that there’s dust on the bottom, you need to be sure to throw the entire bottle of beer away at this moment.
If you feel that you must try the beer now the beer is likely to taste awful. Most of the time the flavor will be bland and can be sour.
As of now, it’s not safe to drink or drink. It is better off buying a brand new bottle of beer instead of putting your health at risk.
Can An Expired Beer Make You Feel Sick?
No! Beer that is expired or has gone bad will not cause anyone to become sick.
This is due to the fact that beer is produced through the process of fermentation and filtration that eliminate bad bacteria from the beer. So it’s not likely to cause illnesses, food poisoning, or severe adverse negative side adverse effects.
The most damage a beverage that has gone bad could cause is stomach upset.
Why Does Beer Go Bad?
There are four primary causes of beer to be rotten:
Temperature: Warm temperatures cause the good beer to spoil rapidly.
Air: Oxidation can also lead to the beer becoming sour.
Light: Beer shouldn’t be exposed to sunlight, as it can spoil.
Distance from the brewery: The further the beer is from the place where it was brewed the quicker it’s going to get rotten.
What Is The Best Way To Keep Your the Beer Fresh?
If you’ve bought a huge case of beer and are concerned about it not staying in good condition until you’ve finished your purchase, you have a few things you can do to sure that the shelf-life of your beverage will last as long as possible.
Like many alcohol drinks, it is important to be sure you’re placing it in a cool place, such as the refrigerator’s back in a place where there aren’t any continuous, dramatic temperatures fluctuations.
Beer is especially sensitive to large fluctuations in temperature. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid keeping it inside the refrigerator’s door which is exposed to the frig’s cold and the ambient temperature when you open the fridge.
It is also important to ensure that you keep the beer upright when you are able to. In contrast to wines that are corked that need to be kept in a straight line or horizontal, beer should be held upright for as long as it is possible.
This will help to prevent the rate of oxidation as it can, while also preventing any contamination coming from your beer’s cap. So long as the cans and bottles of beer are stored upright in your fridge and properly stored, they are likely to last for a considerable amount of time before they begin becoming stale.
Make sure you look up the date printed on the bottles of your favorite beer and this can be a good method to determine if the beer is on the verge of being spoiled or if it’s going to remain good for some time.
How Long Is Unrefrigerated Beer Good for?
However there are people who are either unable or don’t want to store their beverages in the fridge.
If that’s the situation, then you must ensure that you store it in an area that is cool and dark.
It is best to keep it in an area that is temperature-controlled and you ought to try to find beers that are dark bottles if you plan on not storing them in the refrigerator.
Darker bottles block UV radiation. The sun is by far the most harmful thing you could expose your drink to.
The sun’s rays, particularly direct sunlight can trigger the chemical reaction to occur within the space of one hour. The chemical reaction typically spoils the beer, something we don’t want to see happen.
The decision to keep your beer outside of the fridge will definitely reduce the life span of the beer and you must be thinking long and long about whether this is the right thing to do.
Most of the time beer that has not been refrigerated can last between six to 9 months however, there may be certain situations in which your beer can only last approximately the period of four-to six months maximum.
Furthermore, the quality may be affected, depending on how exposed sun the beer gets.
Final Thoughts On How Long Will Beer Last (in the Fridge)?
The best option is to chill your beer before storing it However, there will occasions when refrigerating your beer isn’t the ideal choice.
One thing you can do is look at alternatives for your refrigerator.
For instance, storing beers in basements cooler may be a good alternative in the event that you don’t have enough space in your refrigerator to fit the bottle of beer you’ve recently purchased.
Last updated and verified on February 8th, 2023 by our editorial team.
