Old Beer: Is It Safe To Drink After A Decade?

Drinking 10-year-old beer is unlikely to harm you, but it also won't taste very good. Beer is resistant to spoiling because it is either pasteurised or filtered to eliminate bacteria, and no harmful pathogens will grow inside it. However, the longer beer is left, the more oxidised it becomes, and this will affect its taste. Beer that has been left for too long will taste stale and flat.

Is 10-year-old beer safe to drink?

The short answer

Yes, 10-year-old beer is safe to drink. Beer doesn't pose the same risks as other foods and drinks when consumed past their "best before" dates.

The long answer

Beer is produced with expiry dates, but these are more like guidelines on quality rather than safety. Beer is resistant to spoiling because it is either pasteurised or filtered to eliminate bacteria. The pH of beer is also low enough that no known pathogens can survive in it.

However, the taste of beer will change over time. The longer it is left, the more oxidised it will get. Oxidation occurs when oxygen breaks down chemicals, which is why old beer tastes like cardboard.

Standard-strength beers, such as pale ales, IPAs and lagers, stay fresh for between six months and two years after brewing. Stronger beers, like porters or imperial stouts, can stay tasting good for between five and 10 years.

How to store beer

If you want to store beer, it's best to keep it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. If the beer was refrigerated when you bought it, keep it that way. Changes in temperature could have an adverse effect on the flavour. If you're storing bottles of beer, make sure you keep them upright.

How does beer taste after 10 years?

Beer that is ten years old will likely be safe to drink, but it may not taste very good. While it won't make you sick (unless you drink too much of it!), ten-year-old beer will probably be stale and possibly oxidized, tasting like cardboard or vinegar.

The taste of old beer depends on a few factors, including the type of beer, how it was brewed, and how it was stored. Stronger beers with higher alcohol content tend to taste better after long periods of time, whereas lighter beers with lower alcohol content tend to taste worse. Beer that is bottled or canned is more likely to be drinkable after ten years than beer that is kept in a keg. Beer stored at colder temperatures will also taste better than beer stored at room temperature or in warm environments.

How long does beer last in the fridge?

Beer typically lasts longer when stored in the fridge. While beers are produced with expiry dates, you don't always have to adhere to these.

A "best before" date is a guideline on quality, rather than safety. It means the beer will start to lose its quality after the stated date. You can still drink it, but it may not taste as good. Beer kept in the pantry will still taste good for a whopping six to nine months, and that's nearly a year. Surprisingly, a beer in the fridge can last up to two years.

A typical lager will be drinkable 6–24 months after its best-before date if it's been kept in the fridge. That timeframe tops out at nine months if it hasn't been refrigerated.

Some beers can improve with age. In the same way that wine and whiskey mature over long timespans, the richer and higher-ABV varieties of beer, such as porters and stouts, can get better with age. This happens best if they're kept in cool, dark storage conditions like a basement or cellar.

IPAs, on the other hand, gradually lose their flavour and aroma over time and are best drunk sooner rather than later.

If you want to store beer in the fridge, make sure they're stored upright.

What are the signs of expired beer?

While drinking expired beer is not harmful to your health, it is likely to be an unpleasant experience. Beer is designed to be consumed fresh, and the longer it is left, the more its flavour will deteriorate.

Signs of Expired Beer

Taste and Smell

The most obvious sign that a beer has expired is a change in its taste and smell. Expired beer often tastes stale, flat, or oxidized, and may even resemble cardboard, soy sauce, or vinegar.

Colour

A change in the colour of the beer can also be a sign of expiration.

Sediment

A "dusty" settlement visible at the bottom of the bottle is another indication that the beer has gone bad.

Loss of Carbonation

If your beer has lost its carbonation and gone flat, this is a telltale sign that the seal has been broken and the beer has been exposed to oxygen.

Vinegary Taste

If a beer that is not meant to be tangy or acidic has a vinegary taste, this is a sign that bacteria have gotten into the beer.

Preventing Beer from Going Bad

To prevent beer from going bad, it is recommended to store it in a cool, dark place, preferably a refrigerator. If stored at room temperature, ensure that it is kept away from sunlight. Additionally, it is best to store beer upright, as this minimizes its exposure to oxygen.

How to store beer to prevent it from going bad?

Beer is an organic substance, and improper storage can cause its chemical compounds to break down. This will lead to a loss of flavour and freshness. Here are some ways to store beer to prevent it from going bad:

Avoid Exposure to Sunlight

Beer is often packaged in dark bottles to protect it from the sun's UV rays. These rays can cause a chemical reaction, breaking down the flavour components until the beer smells and tastes like skunk spray. This is known as "skunking" or "lightstruck" beer.

Avoid Exposure to Oxygen

Overexposure to oxygen can also cause a breakdown of the beer's chemicals, altering the taste. Bottled beer is at a higher risk of oxygen exposure than canned beer. To minimise contact with the air, always store beer upright. Keeping bottled beer on its side makes it prone to air leaks.

Avoid Exposure to Heat

Warm temperatures can cause beer to spoil faster. Beer should be stored in a cool, dry place, ideally between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit for packaged beer, and 34 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit for refrigerated beer.

Store Beer Upright

Keeping the beer upright minimises the amount of the beer’s surface area that will be touching the air trapped in the bottle. Less air contact means less oxidation of the beer, preventing it from breaking down more quickly.

Store in a Dark Place

In addition to keeping beer out of direct sunlight, it should be stored in a dark place to prevent skunking. Basements, under a bed, or a closet are all good choices.

Drink Within the "Best Before" Date

Beer doesn't immediately expire once it reaches its "best before" date, but its quality will start to decline. The "best before" date is a good guideline to follow, and beer stored correctly can last beyond this date.

Frequently asked questions