If you want to try craft beer, having the best drinking experience requires understanding its shelf life. This guide explains how long craft beer stays good.
Craft beer is having its moment in the spotlight right now. A Nielsen study found that the number of Americans drinking craft brews increased by 6 million between 2013 and 2019.
Because craft beer tends to cost more than common brands, you want to be sure you’re getting what you pay for. The age of beer on store shelves definitely influences its taste.
With that in mind, you know that freshness is something to consider when choosing craft brews. But how do you know if the beer you want is fresh and good to drink?
Keep reading for all of the information you need to choose the best-tasting beer any day of the week.
Craft Beer Shelf Life
Craft beer is often brewed in smaller batches and in new, innovative ways. This can affect how long it lasts before it becomes undrinkable.
In general, you can expect a craft brew to last for six to nine months in the pantry and six months to two years in the refrigerator. However, some craft brewers will tell you that this is too long.
Beer tastes best the day it’s brewed so it goes without saying that the sooner you drink it after it’s finished, the better it’s going to taste.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s gone bad, even a few months down the road. Most craft beer comes with a “best by” date that indicates the time frame in which it is the freshest and best tasting.
There are several types of craft beer, which also play a role in its shelf life. For example, lighter beers, such as IPAs and pale ales, are best consumed within 120 days after brewing.
Darker beers tend to taste better the longer they rest. That includes stouts and barley wines. They can be safely consumed up to 180 days after brewing without compromising flavor or freshness.
Packaging Method
Craft beer packaging is another consideration when determining shelf life. Canned beer has the advantage over bottled beer since it has more protection from light and oxygen.
Because the space inside the can is also limited, there’s less risk of oxygen reacting with the ingredients and altering the taste of the brew. Bottled beer lets in more light, which can turn the flavor of beer more quickly.
Kegged beer is often not pasteurized like canned or bottled beer because it’s meant to be served more quickly. For that reason, it can go bad much faster.
Cold temperatures are important for keeping beer in kegs from tasting bad. Stored warm, the brew can turn in as few as 45 days. Stored cold, shelf life extends to up to four months.
Because craft beer has exploded in popularity, it’s often available in growlers or crowlers that you can buy from your favorite brewery. This type of beer is best when consumed right away.
Pouring from a tap into the growler or crowler exposes the beer to high levels of oxygen, which means it will turn faster. You should drink beers in this kind of packaging within 36 hours after being poured.
Buying Craft Beer
Craft beer is available from breweries all over the country. Not only can you enjoy it fresh in the building, but many also bottle or can their beer and sell it in liquor stores.
When you’re buying craft beer, shelf life is a major consideration. Of course, your taste preferences are vital too, but understanding a beer’s freshness helps you choose the ideal option.
The label on the beer can help but is a bit technical. The bottle date code will tell you what year and day the brew was bottled or canned. This date is not the same as the “best by” date.
Since this takes a bit of scrutiny in the liquor store aisle, you may want to use other methods to choose the right brew. Of utmost importance is how the beer is stored.
Craft beer should be stored in coolers, away from light sources. Chances are the cooler at your local liquor store will light up when you open the door so you can see. Be cautious if the beer is stored near a window, however.
Beyond storage methods, you can check the “best by” date. If you plan to drink the beer before that date, chances are that it will taste as fresh and delicious as you’re expecting.
How to Tell if Beer is Bad
If you’re unsure about the age of the beer, you will be relieved to know that it’s rare for beer to go bad and make you sick.
The primary concern with craft brews is that they won’t taste as good the older they are. If you pop open a can or bottle of beer that has turned, you will likely know right away.
Not only will you not hear the telltale sound of a fresh beer, but the smell will likely alert you. In this case, it’s probably best to pour the beer out and choose something else.
Lack of foam or a sour taste are both indications the beer might be bad. A sour taste indicates a turned product as well.
Joining the Craft Brew Population
Beer is best enjoyed soon after it’s brewed. Extended time periods might affect the flavor, but it’s not common for beer to go bad. With this in mind, we encourage you to try as many as you can.
Before you go, check out our selection of craft beer or call us at (402) 344-0200.