Does Beer Expire? Or Get Better with Age?!


Question: I recently found two 22 ounce bottles of Arrogant Bastard Ale that
I've had for like 7 years (used to decorate my bachelor pad) So my question is does beer go bad or get better with age? I really hate to pitch them if they are still drinkable.


Answers: I recently found two 22 ounce bottles of Arrogant Bastard Ale that
I've had for like 7 years (used to decorate my bachelor pad) So my question is does beer go bad or get better with age? I really hate to pitch them if they are still drinkable.

Higher end beer like AB will age well. The flavors will blend mellowing some and bringing out others. I have several beers that are much older than that I'm aging right now.

Mass produced crap like Budweiser and Coors are best consumed fresh and will not last much more than six months if stored.

I'm envious of you, if you want to sell them let me know. I've been collecting... and consuming rare and craft beers for many years and would love to get my hands on a rarity like that. You luck SOB.

EDIT:

Seriously, there are some bad answers on here. Here is a quote and a link to a great page all about aging and storing beer.

"Wine is not the only drink that can be aged for maturation. Many beers benefit from extended aging. We're not talking about your average beer with a mere shelf life of 3-6 months, tops -- before quality begins to degrade. We're talking about beers that beg for maturation and strict storage like vintage beers, barleywines, imperial stouts, Belgian strong ales, lambics, old ales and so on. Ideally, any type of beer that can be laid-down for a year or two, or even more, in order to build a slew of complexities and thus further its character in a positive way. "

I myself have at home a 2003 Thomas Hardy Ale, a 1992 Thomas Hardy Ale and a 2005 Westvleteren Abt 12... just to name a few.

Oh gross....Beer definitely goes bad.

no don't drink it, it probly went bad 6.5 years ago lol

IT SHULD GET BETTER WITH AGE BUT NOT ALL OF THEM DO

Sorry, but Beer unlike Wine goes really bad.

um, if un-opened, you'll certainly be fine.. and yes, like wine, the alcohol content will rise over time.

Depends on the kind of beer, if there is still yeast in it, like some German beers, it goes bad. If it the clear variety, it usually keeps very long. If it is a strong, clear beer, it will keep as long as the cap on the bottle is still OK.

I'd throw it out, because you might die if you drink it. Even aging wine needs to be turned and such to help mix the fermentation process. Beer is different, but has the same chemicals to cause fermentation. If it's been sitting that long it is definatley bad.

It goes bad, it usually has a 90-120 day shelf life depending on the kind of beer it is.

If it got cold and warm a couple time the beer more than likely will be skunked. It's drinkable, but, I would only drink them after consuming at least a half a case of beer.

yep in fact honey is the only known food not to go bad with age. a it was stored in the ancient pyramids of Egypt and archaeologists found it to be in edible condition when they retrieved it from the pyramid
hope you enjoyed the little fact ^-^

Beer will only gets bad if it has been opened.

Liquors and wines can last for years and with proper storage get better with age. Beer is ANOTHER THING. Beer does in fact, expire and you'll notice that cans or bottles of beer in the USA are marked with an expiration date. You won't find one on a bottle of Jack Daniels, that timeless elixir of life, that soma, that ambrosia of the gods, that nectar of divinity! It is America's finest gift to the world!

Beer doesn't age well-
born on dates are on alot of the bottles/cans as a result

Heck yes it does! I wouldn't trust beer for long periods of time.

BEER Only goes bad if goes from cold to hot to cold, for example if it has been left out at room temp it's ok, if it has been refrigerated then left out then put in the fridge again it won't be good.
Most domestic beer, ie, Bud, Miller, Coors, does expire, but not the crafted beer you are lucky to have in your possession.

They go bad man. It's not like wine. You just committed beer abuse and wasted 44oz. of beer. Party fool.

YOU PEOPLE ARE ALL IDIOTS, except Adam West, Blue Rose and Anita. Arrogant Bastard is an ALE, it will continue to ferment in the bottle. A LAGER is best drank young, especially if it was crappy sh*t like Budweiser or Coors or Miller. LEARN ABOUT BEER BEFORE SPEAKING ON IT!!!!!

And Arrogant Bastard is a great beer, strong and tasty. Drink up and enjoy the buzz you get from just 1 bottle.





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