What is the shelf life of different types of beer? Storage conditions for foamy drink

Beer is a low-alcohol drink popular all over the world. The history of the intoxicating product goes back to the Neolithic era. It is from this period that the first archaeological finds related to the production of malt alcohol date back. Currently, more than a thousand types of foam products are known, including strong (8.5-14%), light (1-2%) and non-alcoholic varieties. The shelf life of beer is influenced by the technology used, container material, quality of raw materials and compliance with storage conditions.

Let's find out!

Depending on the type

Light

Light is considered to be: filtered (Arsenalnoye, Baltika 7, Zhigulevskoye), unfiltered (Hoegaarden), strong (Ohota), barley, wheat. Its shelf life depends on whether the alcohol has been pasteurized (pasteurized or unpasteurized) and filtered. This is heating a liquid to destroy pathogenic microorganisms. The processes allow you to extend the life of the drink, but, unfortunately, they partially destroy the beneficial substances. These must be consumed before the date indicated on the label, usually from six months to 2 years.

Dark

The shelf life of dark beer (Ker Sari, Nugush, Tuborg, Guinness) is virtually no different from light beer. After all, the difference between these types lies only in the technological process: to give a darker shade, the malt is roasted. But there are also exotic varieties (for example, alcoholic products with the taste of pizza, chocolate, the addition of mustard, maple syrup and even bacon), as well as beer drinks (in accordance with Russian legislation, these include those that contain more than 20 sugar-containing and unmalted products %). The period for their implementation ranges from 90 days to a year.

Depending on production

Factory

Drinks produced on an industrial scale (the popular Heiniken, Holsten, Bad, Amstel, Krusovica) usually have a fairly long shelf life, which varies depending on the properties of the variety and manufacturer in the range from 3 to 12 months.

Craft

Nowadays, craft beer is beer produced by microbreweries according to their individual non-industrial recipes for sale to consumers. In a closed container, the maximum shelf life is 6 months, ideally if you drink the product within 7 days.

Draft and live

The live group (in which yeast is preserved) includes:

• homemade - retains its nutritional value for 3 months.
• filtered, unpasteurized - should be consumed within 8-10 days (“Abakanskoe”, “Ayan”, “Karachaevskoe”, “Maikopskoe”, “Khadyzhenskoe”).
• unfiltered, unclarified, unpasteurized – natural, has the shortest shelf life (72 hours).

Depending on the container

Plastic

Plastic or PET bottles are not the best packaging. There is an opinion that when alcohol interacts with plastic, a chemical reaction can begin, during which a toxic substance is produced - dibutyl phthalate. However, according to Roskachestvo research conducted among light varieties in October 2021, no excess emissions of harmful substances, including phthalates, were detected. But still, when purchasing, try to choose a product that was produced no more than a month ago. In general, the manufacturer sets shelf life for bottled products up to 3 months, for draft from kegs - up to 3 days.

Metal

The interaction of an intoxicating drink with a metal (iron, tin) surface can lead to chemical reactions that distort the taste. Therefore, manufacturers using aluminum cans coat the inner surface of the container with a special varnish. But during transportation, they are sometimes subject to deformation and destruction of the varnish coating, which subsequently affects the quality of the product. It must be consumed before the date indicated on the package, which is on average 6 months.

Glass

Glass bottle is the most popular retail container. Dark glass reduces exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The disadvantages are the relative fragility and the possibility of air penetration through a poorly closed lid. The shelf life varies from 90 days to a year. The longer, the more likely it is that large quantities of preservatives were used in the manufacture of the product.

Clay

In ancient times, clay jugs were used to place and transfer liquid; in the modern world, such packaging is used extremely rarely: mainly for home brewing.

In kegs

Stainless steel cylinders are designed for easy transportation and storage of the product. The liquid inside is under pressure, and a special valve prevents air from getting inside. Kegs usually hold from 5 to 100 liters, are often used for draft beer, and are especially popular in cafes and restaurants. The undoubted advantages of such containers include tightness and exclusion of direct sunlight. An ideal container for storing large stocks. The shelf life without connecting to bottling equipment reaches 6 months.

How long does beer last?

The shelf life of live beer, as well as other varieties, is influenced by production technology:

• filtered or not;
• pasteurized and unpasteurized.

The second type of product involves heating to eliminate pathogenic microflora. In this case, the temperature reaches 60-80°C, and the storage period will depend on the duration of exposure. However, along with harmful microorganisms, beneficial enzymes are also eliminated, and the taste changes radically. Therefore, for discerning connoisseurs of malt drinks, stores offer unpasteurized brands of beer with a short shelf life.

The filtration system is also designed to influence the storage period of hop products, since during the procedure, yeast elements and other particles that can harm the drink are filtered out. This method prolongs the taste and aroma of beer, unlike the pasteurization procedure.

Filtration is divided into two types:

• sterile process - gentle technology that uses cardboard;
• kieselguhr - the brewed drink is passed through a natural material that retains limescale and pathogenic microorganisms.

Additionally, clarification is used to force the liquid to mature due to added stabilizers. Under their influence, the yeast settles, the beer becomes clearer and the characteristic odor is reduced. Accordingly, the shelf life increases. This process is used for both types of malt beverage.

A real living product is unpasteurized, unfiltered beer, since all components are preserved in it. Other drinks, although they have a long shelf life, have a bland taste, which turns off many consumers.

Types of beer and shelf life

Shelf life of draft beer in plastic bottles

The shelf life of draft beer in an unopened plastic bottle remains suitable for consumption for up to 3 months, depending on the type. However, the shelf life of such packaging, even when closed, is significantly lower than that of other types of containers.

Plastic is used to bottle hop products due to its low cost. However, bottled containers are not designed to preserve freshness. Even a dark plastic container will not protect the liquid from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes and periodic shaking. Together, these factors affect not only the shelf life, but also the taste characteristics of alcohol.

Accordingly, draft beer will be stored in an unclosed plastic bottle for no more than 24 hours. Experts advise drinking alcohol immediately after opening, regardless of whether the product is in the refrigerator or freezer.

The only advantage for the consumer from plastic packaging is the ability to evaluate the color of the liquid, the presence of sediment and transportation rules. Of course, there is also convenience here, because it is much more convenient to bring half a liter of beer home than a barrel or a whole keg.

About the shelf life of beer drinks in glass bottles

Open glass containers for real beer mean that the drink will be stored for no more than three days. Drinking after this period is not recommended, as intoxication may occur. Considering that the product begins to lose its taste characteristics 6 hours after opening, it should be consumed within 24 hours. This period is optimal.

Live and pasteurized beer

The table shows the shelf life of draft beer depending on the production technology:

Shelf life of canned beer

When a tin container interacts with a malt drink, a corresponding metallic taste is formed to varying degrees. Can packaging becomes deformed with minor physical impact. As a result of this process, the internal protection is destroyed, leading to the formation of spot rust. The only advantage of an aluminum camera is its resistance to UV radiation.

The shelf life in the bank will depend on compliance with the requirements specified in GOST. As a rule, beer should be consumed within one month. However, even in this case, the presence of preservatives affects the storage of malt drink.

Storing beer in kegs - conditions, terms, expert recommendations

The shelf life of beer in kegs is long. This is due to the lack of exposure to external factors - ultraviolet radiation, temperature and other aspects. However, it is difficult to indicate the exact period during which the drink will exist in its proper form.

This is influenced by various indicators:

• variety;
• preservatives;
• production technology;
• yeast composition.

Some beer brands are able to retain their properties for a year, while others, on the contrary, require consumption within 1-2 months. In any case, the shelf life of alcohol is based on the state of the package - open or closed.

Watch the video: “Can you drink expired beer?”

After the seller opens the container, the entire keg must be sold within five days. After this period ends, the drink loses its tasting aroma and taste.

It is noteworthy that the temperature effect during storage depends on the type of beer:

1. Optimal room temperatures are 13-15°C. If the drink contains a small amount of alcohol or belongs to the non-alcoholic category, then the heat power in the warehouse should be increased to 7-10°C.
2. Homemade beer can only be stored at low temperatures – 3.5°C.

Note: if the kegs are exposed to temperature (-1...+5°C) and high humidity, the drink will freeze. The mode set depends on the alcohol strength, i.e. the higher the alcohol level, the more it is cooled. But if you allow ice to form, the taste will be lost forever.

Draft beer stored in sealed steel containers prevents contact with the external environment. Closed kegs allow you to increase the period up to 3 months, and in some cases up to 1 year. But as soon as the new barrel is opened, the shelf life will quickly end. Therefore, the sale of a drink from an open container should occur within 2-3 days.

Basic storage rules

Closed

• The position of the bottle should be vertical. This will minimize contact with the lid and the air under it and accordingly slow down the oxidation process. Plus, the yeast sediment will be at the bottom of the container.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight by placing in a dark, dry place. Ideally - in the refrigerator.
• The recommended temperature regime (stable) is 13-15°C, air temperatures up to +30°C are allowed depending on the variety. Required relative humidity level – 85%
• Do not freeze it: it will greatly spoil the organoleptic properties.
• Do not invert or shake the contents of the bottle.

Open

An open drink poured into a glass should not be stored. If unfinished alcohol has been sitting on the table for an hour, it is better to pour it out: it clearly will not bring you pleasure.

If we are talking about opened packaging that can be immediately tightly sealed, such containers should be placed in a refrigerator or a dark, cool place. The content will retain its consumer properties for several days. But remember that real beer is a product of natural carbonation, and if the seal of the container is broken, carbon dioxide will gradually be exhaled. This will greatly affect the taste.

The product from an open keg must be consumed within 5 days.

How to cool beer on a picnic

In nature, many people prefer to cool down with a foamy drink. However, it is not always possible to maintain its optimal temperature for a long time. To prevent alcohol from heating up, you can use the following methods:

• Place the container in a natural body of water (stream, lake, sea, etc.).
• Close the neck of the bottle with a towel or any cloth soaked in cold water.
• Bury the container with the foamy drink in damp soil.
• Bury the bottle in the sand to protect it from sunlight.

Beer is considered a low-alcohol drink, which perfectly cools on a hot day and reduces thirst. However, it is necessary to comply with the terms and conditions of its storage. Otherwise, alcohol will lose not only its beneficial properties, but also its taste.

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Recognizing delay

To identify expired malt alcohol in catering establishments or at points of sale, you need to know the main signs of a spoiled drink and follow the following recommendations:

• Evaluate the appearance: the presence of sediment like flakes, turbidity, lack of foam, its yellow color, or, conversely, too much foam indicates spoilage of alcohol.
• Pay attention to the smell: a pronounced, sharp musty smell with notes of burnt rubber and hydrogen sulfide indicates a spoiled product.
• Taste it: the taste of vinegar or sour milk means irreversible chemical reactions have begun.
• The presence of crooked labels on the bottles and poor-quality printing of texts indicates a possible counterfeit product.
• When purchasing canned goods in a supermarket, pay attention to the maintenance conditions. Their violation at various stages of production, sales and transportation leads to a decrease in shelf life.
• Avoid purchasing products in deformed containers or with signs of packaging leakage (loose lid).

Is it worth drinking overdue?

It is a well-known fact that consuming expired products can lead to serious consequences, including life-threatening intoxication. And beer is no exception. Of course, exactly on the expiration date, alcohol does not immediately become spoiled: usually the manufacturer sets aside a certain period of time in reserve. But the organoleptic properties undoubtedly deteriorate, and the taste quality decreases. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink an expired product. To avoid throwing it away, try using it at home, for example:

• In cooking (with mandatory heat treatment): bake beer bread, make a batter for fish or meat and serve as an appetizer.
• In cosmetology: as a hair mask.
• In the garden: as a means of combating snails and slugs or to fertilize plants.

Shelf life of opened beer

Poured “live” beer into a glass and forgot it on the table? After an hour, pour it out. If you left the drink in the bottle, tightly capped it and put it in the refrigerator, you don’t have to worry about deterioration in quality for 4-5 days. Sometimes you can leave beer for a week, as long as you don’t open it during these days and keep it in a warm room.

In an open keg, the drink will not spoil in about a week. How long to keep homemade beer open? A period of up to 3 or even 6 months is considered acceptable. But ideally, store light varieties for no more than a day, dark varieties - up to 2 days.

What if you're not confident in your ability to coax leftover beer next time? Try using it slightly for other purposes, but with benefit:

• bake beer bread;
• fry the fish in beer batter;
• make a hair mask.

In this case, your carefully prepared supplies will not go to waste!

Beer is a drink that requires careful attention. You can’t cover it with a cork, like whiskey, and put it away in the bar until the next celebration, which is planned in six months. The yeast it contains (in unpasteurized varieties) does not allow long-term storage.

Beer is not only an alcoholic drink, but also, first of all, a food product. Like any of them, beer has its own expiration and storage dates, during which it can be consumed without fear for your health. Due to the wide variety of beer production methods and the many types of packaging, the shelf life of a foamy drink varies greatly and can range from a few hours to a year.

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