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The answer is already there, on the label of every beer bottle or can. Unlike wine, beer has an expiry date. You may well have tasted beer past this date, having found a lost keg or bottle of beer at the back of the shed. With lager in particular, you can already taste a difference after six months. The freshness, smell and taste disappear and the whole thing becomes somewhat sappy.
It all depends on the type of beer
Most beers have a shelf life of up to 6 months. However, this average shelf life certainly does not apply to every style of beer. In fact, this can differ greatly from one style of beer to the next.
- Shorter shelf life
Apart from lager, you should drink witbiers, light-blond beers and IPAs rather swiftly. IPAs in particular should ideally be drunk as fresh as possible, as the aromas, freshness and bitterness of the unique hop varieties diminish rapidly after bottling. Tip: some IPAs or NEIPAs are best kept in the fridge (especially if in a growler or uKeg). - Longer shelf life
Which beers can you leave to rest? Generally, we're talking heavier beers with higher alcohol content. Dubbels, porters and stouts will stay good for several years. Beer that has undergone wood maturation (e.g. barrel ageing) is one of the few types of beer whose taste actually improves given more time. Moreover, it can be very interesting to sample different vintages of the same beer side by side. - The champion of expiry dates
Old gueuzes are an outlier. The unique wild yeast in these brews prolongs the beer’s ageing process. Therefore, it is always a surprise - and seldom a disappointment - when you open an older vintage. Ten years, twenty years, thirty years, forty years... With old gueuzes, anything is possible. This is usually indicated on the label.
Another one to mention is Orval. The better bars sometimes offer both young and old Orval, the latter being older than one year. However, the beer really reaches its peak after around three to four years. Once again, a great way to compare different vintages.
Tips for improved beer storage.
As with wine, the right conditions are important when it comes to storing beer, namely a dark environment at a constant temperature of 10 to 15 °C. For the best temperature to pour at, check the bottle or can. Beer bottles with a crown cap should be stored upright, whereas bottles with a cork should be laid horizontally to ensure that the cork does not dry out.
Bottling or canning your own beer?We’ve got all the tools you could ever need!
Posted in: Beer
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