Ginger beer is a drink made from yeast, sugar, water, and prepared ginger spice. It is produced when all the ingredients undergo a natural fermentation process and is then carbonated and bottled. Although ginger beer doesn't technically expire, it does have a best before date, and its quality will deteriorate over time. An unopened can of ginger beer will be good for up to 9 months if stored in a cool, dark place. Once opened, an average bottle of ginger beer will last for about 8 weeks if stored properly. However, if you're making your own ginger beer, be careful, as the yeast will continue consuming the sugar, which can lead to over-carbonation and, in the case of glass bottles, a dangerous situation.
What You'll Learn
Ginger beer doesn't technically expire
Ginger beer is a drink that is perfect for spicing up cocktails like Moscow Mule and Dark N Stormy or can be enjoyed on its own as a refreshing beverage. It is a non-alcoholic drink that contains four ingredients: yeast, sugar, water, and prepared ginger spice.
Although ginger beer has an expiration date, it doesn't technically expire. The expiration date on the bottle is not an indication of safety but more of quality. This means that the drink doesn't expire, but its quality will deteriorate over time due to oxidation and other chemical reactions. The taste and quality of ginger beer can change due to exposure to air and other chemical reactions.
The speed at which the quality of ginger beer declines depends on two factors: how well it is stored and whether it is unopened or opened. Unopened ginger beer can maintain its peak quality until the printed expiration date and can be safely consumed for about 6 to 9 months after that. Once the bottle is opened, it is recommended to finish it within 8 weeks, as long as it is stored properly.
To extend the shelf life of ginger beer, it should be stored in a cool and dark place, away from heat and light. If the ginger beer was refrigerated in the store, it should also be kept in the fridge at home. It is also important to seal the bottle tightly after opening to avoid oxidation and evaporation.
Drinking Beer on Manhattan Streets: Is It Legal?
You may want to see also
It's safe to drink expired ginger beer
Ginger beer is a drink that is perfect for spicing up cocktails like Moscow Mule and Dark N Stormy or can be enjoyed on its own as a refreshing beverage. It is produced when yeast, sugar, water, and prepared ginger spice undergo the natural fermentation process. It is then carbonated and bottled.
Ginger beer does not technically expire, but its taste might change over time. The expiration date on the bottle is not an indication of safety but more of quality. This means that the drink is still safe to consume, but the taste might not be as good. Opened ginger beer has a shelf life of about four days if you keep it refrigerated. An unopened can of ginger beer will be good for up to nine months if stored in a cool place.
The quality of ginger beer will deteriorate over time due to oxidation and other chemical reactions. The speed of this deterioration will depend on how well the drink is stored and whether the bottle has been opened. To extend its shelf life, it is recommended to keep the drink away from heat and light, follow the store's lead on refrigeration, and seal the bottle tightly after opening to avoid oxidation and evaporation.
In summary, it is safe to drink expired ginger beer. The date on the bottle does not mean that the drink has gone bad, but rather that the taste might not be optimal.
Beer and Wine: Tips for Drinking Without Getting Sick
You may want to see also
Opened ginger beer lasts 3-4 weeks in the fridge
Opened ginger beer will last in the fridge for 3-4 weeks if bottled correctly. This is a much longer shelf life than opened ginger beer that is not stored in the fridge, which only lasts around four days.
Ginger beer does not become dangerous to consume when it expires. Instead, the quality of the beverage will continue to decline, and the ginger flavour will get weaker over time.
To extend the shelf life of ginger beer, it is important to store it in a cool, dark place, as sunlight exposure can degrade the quality of the drink.
It is also worth noting that ginger beer can be frozen, which will stop the fermentation process, although this will not kill the yeast.
Beer for Slugs: Does It Work?
You may want to see also
Exposure to sunlight degrades the quality of ginger beer
Exposure to sunlight can significantly degrade the quality of ginger beer. Sunlight causes degradation of the product, which results in a loss of flavour and a decrease in the nutritional profile of the beverage.
Ginger beer, like regular beer, does not become dangerous to consume when it has passed its expiration date. However, the quality of the beverage will continue to decline. An unopened can of ginger beer will last up to 9 months if stored in a cool, dark place. Heat and light exposure will shorten its shelf life, so it is important to store it away from direct sunlight.
The effects of sunlight on food and beverage products are well-documented. Sunlight causes degradation of nutrients, which can lead to negative consequences for population health. For example, exposure to light causes the breakdown of vitamin B2, riboflavin, in milk, and can also lead to the degradation of vitamins B12, A, and D, as well as proteins.
The development of a certification scheme for packaging that protects foodstuffs from light damage has been suggested as a way to tackle the problem of nutrient degradation. This would involve certifying that packaging materials are light-resistant, giving consumers confidence that their food is protected from light damage.
To prevent ginger beer from degrading due to sunlight exposure, it is important to store it in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight.
Beer and Running: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic drink
Ginger beer is a sweetened, carbonated beverage that originated in Yorkshire, England, in the mid-18th century. It became popular in Britain, Ireland, North America, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Canada, reaching its peak of popularity in the early 20th century. The traditional method of making ginger beer involves fermenting a mix of ginger, water, sugar, and yeast, resulting in a mildly alcoholic drink. However, the commercial ginger beers available today are often manufactured rather than brewed, and they are carbonated with pressurized carbon dioxide.
The non-alcoholic nature of modern ginger beer makes it a versatile drink that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed in cocktails. It has a stronger flavour than ginger ale, its closest relative, and typically contains less than 0.5% alcohol, which is legally classified as "non-alcoholic" in many places.
Ginger beer can be stored and consumed at room temperature, but it is recommended to be chilled for optimal taste. An unopened can of ginger beer can last up to 9 months if stored in a cool place, while an opened one has a shelf life of about four days when refrigerated.
Wet Paper Towel on Beer: Does This Method Work?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can drink expired ginger beer. Ginger beer doesn't technically expire, but its taste might change over time.
Unopened ginger beer can maintain its peak quality until the printed expiration date and even after that, it's safe to enjoy for about 6 to 9 months. Once opened, it is recommended to finish the bottle within 8 weeks, as long as it is stored properly.
To extend the shelf life of ginger beer, it should be stored in a cool, dark place, away from heat and light. If you bought it from a refrigerated section in a store, keep it chilled at home too.
Although both are non-alcoholic, they have different tastes. Ginger beer has more bubbles and a spicier kick, while ginger ale is sweeter and milder in ginger flavour.