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If you find beer in your cellar that has already expired, you don’t have to throw it away straight away. The date shown does not automatically mean that the beer is no longer drinkable. We’ll show you how long you can still drink expired beer.
Beer has expired – here’s what you can do
If your beer has expired, you don’t automatically have to throw it away. The best-before date on beer only indicates how long the manufacturer guarantees the best quality. As a rule, beer is still drinkable for weeks, months, or even years after the best-before date, provided it has been properly sealed and stored (in a cool, dark, dry place). Here’s what you should do if your beer has expired:
- Look at and check the bottle: Check that the cap is still tight and that no air has been able to enter. Look at the beer: Flakes or cloudiness are usually harmless (mostly yeast or protein), but mold is a warning sign.
- Open the bottle: Does it make a hissing sound when you open it? If so, there is still enough carbon dioxide in the beer. If there is no hissing sound, the beer may be stale.
- Smell and taste it: Smell the beer. An unpleasant, musty, or pungent smell indicates that it has gone bad—it is best not to drink it. A small sip will help you check the taste. If it tastes bitter, stale, or otherwise unusual, throw the beer away.
- Health risks: Beer is preserved by its pH value and alcohol content, so it does not normally develop harmful bacteria. This means that you can usually drink it without hesitation if it still tastes fine.
- Alternative uses for expired beer: Beer can be used as a natural cleaner for copper and brass. Mix expired beer with sugar and dish soap to make fruit fly traps. Beer can be used as a screw loosener, as the carbon dioxide dissolves rust. It can also be used as fertilizer for plants.
- Special care should be taken with non-alcoholic beer and beer-based mixed drinks, as these usually have a shorter shelf life after the best-before date. Overall, as long as your beer looks, smells, and tastes good, you can still drink it after the best-before date. Otherwise, there are useful alternatives to throwing the beer away.
Expired beer: Some varieties last for several years
There is no rule of thumb for when expired beer is no longer drinkable. Depending on the type of beer, it may still taste good months or even years after the best-before date.
- Bock beers are sometimes even stored intentionally for long periods of time. The aging process is said to have a positive effect on the taste. There is even talk of the development of sherry or whiskey notes.
- However, this only applies to a few beers. Pilsners and similar beers change their taste just a few months after the best-before date.
The taste changes, but not necessarily for the worse.
- Beers with a high hop content, such as IPA and Pilsner, should be drunk before the best-before date if possible. The longer the beer is stored, the stronger the hops and thus the bitter taste become. After the best-before date, strongly hopped beers are therefore often more bitter than usual.
- However, you should be careful with non-alcoholic beer and beer mix drinks. Due to their low or non-existent alcohol content, these types of beer can spoil just a few months after the best-before date.
Differences in shelf life between different types of beer
The shelf life of beer varies not only according to the type of beer, but also according to the manufacturing process. Here are the main differences between different types of beer:
- Filtered vs. unfiltered beer: Unfiltered beer, also known as naturally cloudy beer, still contains yeast and protein residues, which make the taste fuller but reduce the shelf life slightly. The shelf life of unfiltered beer is about 6 months when stored in a cool, dark place. Filtered beer is clarified and therefore usually has a slightly longer shelf life, but also loses some of its depth of flavor.
- Alcoholic vs. non-alcoholic beer: Alcohol acts as a preservative and kills germs, so alcoholic beers generally have a longer shelf life. Strong alcoholic beers such as Doppelbock can be stored for years and even develop special flavors. Non-alcoholic beer lasts for about 6 to 12 months unopened, but must be consumed or disposed of quickly after the best-before date, as it spoils faster than alcoholic beer.
- Craft beer vs. industrial beer: Craft beers are often more hoppy, less filtered, and fresher to enjoy. They should ideally be consumed within three to six months of bottling, as the essential oils in the hops evaporate over time, causing them to lose their flavor and aroma. Industrial beers are often more heavily filtered and pasteurized. This gives them a longer shelf life and more consistent taste, but often less complex aroma.
Proper storage of beer
When it comes to storing beer properly, light, temperature, and oxygen play a crucial role in preserving freshness, taste, and aroma.
- Temperature: The optimal storage temperature is between 4 and 10 degrees Celsius, ideally around 5 to 10 degrees. Temperatures above 20 degrees accelerate the aging of the beer and impair its aroma. Temperatures that are too low can lead to cold cloudiness, which negatively affects the taste.
It is important to maintain constant temperatures without significant fluctuations, as frequent changes can affect the taste and carbonation. Refrigerators are considered a good storage option as long as the temperature remains stable.
- Light: Beer is sensitive to light, especially UV rays, which can destroy the bitter compounds in hops and cause an unpleasant “light taste.” Beer should be stored in a dark place, preferably in amber glass bottles, as these partially block UV rays. Direct sunlight and bright artificial light should be avoided.
- Oxygen is harmful to beer because it causes oxidation, which makes the beer taste like “old paper” or “wet newspaper.” Storing beer in an upright position minimizes contact between the beer and the cap, reduces oxygen contact, and prevents oxidation. Crown caps can rust if there is too much moisture, which can lead to leaks and oxygen contact. Therefore, the storage area should not be too humid to prevent corrosion of the closure.
- Further tips: Beer should be stored upright so that the yeast can settle at the bottom and contact with the closure is minimized. Beer should be stored in a quiet place free from vibrations so as not to destroy the fine carbon dioxide binding. Different types of beer require different storage conditions: bottom-fermented beers such as pilsner or lager are more robust, while top-fermented beers such as wheat beer are more sensitive and should be consumed as fresh as possible.
