If you’re like us, then beer doesn’t last very long in your house, so you needn’t be bothered about storage. However, once in a blue moon, you may be left with more beer that you can cram into the fridge. So, how do you store it?
Here in today’s article, we give you all that you need to know about storing and enjoying craft beer for as long as possible.
Let’s get started.
LIKE IT OR NOT, BEERS COME WITH A BEST-BEFORE DATE
As much as we wish, beer (craft beers or commercial ones) don’t last forever. They come with an expiry date.
The flavour and aroma of your beer deteriorate with gradual exposure to light, air, and warmth. This is why a fresh beer packs more punch than the one that’s been sitting on a shelf for months.
So, on the rare occasions, when you’re left with a crate of your favourite craft beer after a glorious house party, what do you do with it? Is there any way to ensure that it tastes just like new for a longer time?
Here’s the ultimate guide to storing craft beer at home.
NOT ALL BEERS ARE MADE THE SAME
Different beers age at varying rates. Unfortunately, we can’t predict with certainty when a particular beer will move into the “Not Fresh” range.
However, not all hope is lost. Some rules of thumb help you determine whether a particular beer will remain delicious for months or should you pour it down.
RULE NO. 1: CHECK THE ABV (ALCOHOL BY VOLUME)
If it’s higher than 8%, then you can be assured that the beer will last for some time and there’s no rush to finish it off right now.
RULE NO. 2: CHECK THE STYLE
If it’s a smoked or sour beer, then it falls into the category of beers with high-alcohol levels. However, hop-centric beers like American pale ales, strong ales, and amber lagers or IPAs, age quickly.
Beer experts recommend that you drink, hops quickly, as the aromatics that lend the flavour to the beer fade over time.
RULE NO. 3: CHECK FOR PASTEURISATION
If your beer is pasteurised it has a longer shelf-life compared to non-pasteurised beers. Mostly, all commercial beers are pasteurised to extend their shelf-life. However, of late, more and more craft breweries are opting for pasteurisation for the same reason.
IF YOU AREN’T DOING LONG-TERM STORAGE, THEN CONSUME YOUR BEER WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF THE BOTTLING DATE
This is for unpasteurised beers like your local craft beer. If it’s pasteurised, then you’re looking at a time frame of more than three months.
According to research by MillerCoors, it was found that storing beer in any one of the following three conditions, leads to a similar loss in flavour.
3 DAYS IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR (AT AROUND 32°C)
30 DAYS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE (AT ABOUT 20°C)
300 DAYS IN THE FRIDGE (AT ABOUT 5°C)
This means you can store your beer can in the refrigerator for around 300 days without worrying that it’ll go bad. On a side note, we think that if you don’t polish of your beer can within 300 days, then maybe we should remove your name from the halls of beer fame.
IF YOU’RE STORING YOUR BEER AT HOME, THEN POP IT INTO THE FRIDGE
As soon as beer is brewed, the ageing process is triggered. The best way to extend its lifespan is to pop it into the fridge as early as possible (mostly, as soon as you bring it home).
Store your precious brews in the fridge till you want to drink it. Think of it like milk or bread. While storing in the fridge doesn’t make it last for eternity, it can very well slow down the ageing process. When beer is stored in the refrigerator, the oxidation speed is slowed down.
NO SPACE IN THE FRIDGE? KEEP IT IN A DARK, DRY PLACE.
If the mistress doesn’t appreciate you hoarding bottles of beer in the fridge, the next best thing to do is to store it in a dark, dry shelf away from sunlight and other artificial light.
A cold basement, a box under your bed, or at the back of your closet are all excellent choices for storing your beer. Light makes your drink skunk, so make sure that you wrap it well and keep it away from light to extend its life.
FINALLY, STORE YOUR BEER UPRIGHT
Whether you’re placing it in the fridge or under your bed, make sure that it stays upright. This is because when you keep your beer upright, it reduces the surface area of the beer that comes in contact with the air trapped in the can or bottle.
As explained by the Craft Beer Academy, “Less contact with air, lesser is the oxidation, which means longer the life of your beer.” This prevents it from ageing quickly.
And, now that you know the ways to store your craft beer at home go ahead get a crate-full of your favourite beer and enjoy whenever the mood strikes you.
If you’re interested in exploring craft breweries or would like to know more about how to start your own, get in touch with us @ (+91) 9811233358 / 9811196262 / 8588838333. We’re one of the leading craft brewery equipment suppliers in India and have set up several breweries and pubs all over the country. Get started on your fantastic craft beer journey, with Rohit Jafa brewing solutions.