Cold Weather, Warm Beer: Should You Drink It?

Beer is best preserved when kept cold. Beer kept at room temperature can have a shelf life of only a few weeks, and exposing the same beer to very warm temperatures can affect its flavor in a matter of a couple of days. However, contrary to popular belief, temperature cycling has little to no effect on beer freshness. It is a myth that cold beer, when warmed to room temperature, will go skunky or bad. Skunking is caused by light interacting with a chemical compound found in hops, not by temperature.

Beer temperature and taste

It is a common misconception that temperature cycling ruins beer. The truth is that temperature cycling has little to no effect on beer freshness. Beer imported from Europe, for example, is likely to have changed temperatures several times during its journey, yet it doesn't taste "skunky".

Skunking is actually caused by light interacting with a chemical compound found in hops and has nothing to do with temperature. However, temperature does still affect beer. Beer is best preserved when kept cold, and keeping beer refrigerated will maintain its flavour for longer.

Allowing beer to reach room temperature can reduce its shelf life from nearly six months to only a few weeks, and exposing beer to very warm temperatures can affect its flavour in a matter of days. Hop flavours and aromas will be diminished, malt flavours will begin to meld into a generic "sweet" flavour, and some beers may develop reminders of wet cardboard and paper.

That being said, the flavour of beer that has warmed up and then been cooled again is unlikely to have changed, as long as it wasn't kept warm for too long.

Beer freshness and temperature

It is a common misconception that temperature cycling "skunks" beer. In reality, temperature cycling has little to no effect on beer freshness. Beer that has been imported from Europe, for example, often goes through temperature changes during its long journey, yet it does not become "skunked".

The freshness of beer is affected by exposure to warm temperatures. Beer that is kept cold will stay fresh for longer. Allowing beer to reach room temperature will not affect its flavour, contrary to popular belief. However, keeping beer at room temperature can reduce its shelf life from almost six months to just a few weeks, and exposing it to very warm temperatures can impact its flavour within a couple of days.

Oxidation is accelerated by heat, which can cause some beers to develop a stale, cardboard-like flavour with a hint of sherry. Malt-forward beers can develop a sweet, bready, toffee-like flavour. The "hoppiness" of a beer will also be diminished by extreme heat, with the bitterness of hops remaining but the piney, citrusy, or floral aromas disappearing.

Therefore, it is recommended to keep beer cold to preserve its freshness and flavour. However, if beer does warm up and is then cooled again, it is still safe to drink and the flavour is likely to be unaffected as long as it was not kept warm for an extended period.

Beer transportation

Beer is the world's most widely consumed alcoholic beverage and the third most popular drink overall. It is also highly sensitive to temperature changes during transportation. Beer is packed in containers such as cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles, barrels, and tank containers.

When transporting beer, it is crucial to maintain a consistent cool temperature to prevent degradation and preserve its taste and integrity. The optimal temperature range for beer is between 3 and 8°C, and it should be transported as refrigerated cargo to inhibit the metabolic activity of microorganisms. Warmer temperatures can accelerate chemical reactions within the beer, leading to oxidation and a change in taste.

To ensure optimal transportation conditions, refrigerated trucks and vans should be set between 37° and 45°Fahrenheit (3°C and 8°C). Additionally, wrapping beer in Styrofoam, newspaper, or packing peanuts can help prevent jostling and temperature fluctuations during transit.

It is also important to protect beer from moisture, rain, and snow during handling and transport. Moisture can cause label detachment and corrosion of containers, while extreme temperatures can affect the solubility of CO2, leading to quality degradation.

Beer and health

Beer is a fermented alcoholic beverage with a relatively low alcohol percentage. Its natural ingredients contain small amounts of valuable nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants. Beer is the only significant dietary source of hops, so all the beneficial effects of hops are exclusive to beer.

Beer can be part of a healthy, moderate lifestyle. Moderate beer consumption can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and improve blood sugar levels. It can also be beneficial for heart health, as it increases the amount of 'good' HDL cholesterol in the blood. Compared to teetotallers, moderate beer drinkers have a 30-40% reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Beer may also increase bone strength for men and postmenopausal women.

Drinking alcohol in moderate amounts can reduce stress and tension, leading to increased feelings of well-being and sociability. However, it is important to note that heavy drinking eliminates most health benefits and can lead to addiction, reduced life expectancy, and an increased risk of liver disease and weight gain.

Beer storage

Storing beer correctly is crucial to ensure the quality of the beer remains high and to prevent common issues such as spoilage and a reduced shelf life.

Temperature

Beer is best preserved when kept cold. Keeping beer refrigerated will help maintain its flavour. Beer stored at room temperature will have a significantly shorter shelf life and exposing beer to very warm temperatures can affect its flavour in a matter of days. The optimal temperature for storing beer depends on its type: strong beers (e.g. barley wines, dark ales, imperial stouts) should be stored at around 12-16°C, standard ales (e.g. pale ales, IPAs, stouts) at 10-12°C, and lighter beers (e.g. lagers, pilsners, wheat beers) at 7-10°C.

Container

The container in which beer is stored is also important. Beer typically comes in cans, bottles, growlers, kegs, and corked bottles. Beer stored in cans and bottles should be kept in a cool, dry place and in an upright position. Beer bottles should be kept in a dark place when stored long-term, as exposure to sunlight can cause the beer to become "skunked" or "lightstruck", acquiring an unpleasant odour and taste. Brown glass bottles are best for protecting beer from UV rays, whereas clear glass bottles offer no protection and green glass bottles offer only minimal protection. Beer stored in growlers is typically unpasteurised and therefore has a shorter shelf life; it should be stored in a cool, dark place with a proper seal. Kegs should be stored in a dark, cool place with a consistent temperature and a pressure of 10-12 psi. Corked bottles of beer should be stored upright and consumed within a year and a half of bottling, as they tend to mature faster.

Other Factors

In addition to temperature and container, other factors that can impact beer storage include time of bottling, oxygen exposure, and the presence of bacteria. Bottled beer is at a higher risk of oxygen exposure than canned beer, and storing bottles on their side increases the risk of air leaks. However, there is some debate about whether cans or bottles are better for slowing the oxidation process. While oxygen exposure can significantly alter the taste of beer, it can be beneficial for barrel-aged beers, as small amounts of air interacting with the beer over a long period can create desirable chemical reactions.

Frequently asked questions