How Long Does Beer Last in the Fridge?

Certain beers are best enjoyed when chilled at the perfect temperature – which is where beer fridges come in.

Beer fridges and cooling systems are the best way to ensure you serve your beer at the optimal temperature. But how long does beer last in the fridge?

Let's find out in today's blog where we will look into the different temperatures that different beers require, whether it's safe to re-chill beer and what exactly causes skunked beer.

How Long Does Beer Last in the Fridge?

If you enjoy a cold bottle of beer quite often, it is likely that your beer won't stick around in the fridge for too long and won't be at risk of going out of date. However, if you only have a beer bottle occasionally, you risk consuming an out-of-date beer.

If you store your unopened beer in the fridge, it should usually be consumed within 8 months. The date is usually displayed on the neck of the bottle or the box.

You can drink beer that is a few months out of date; however, it won't taste as fresh. Too long out of date (for example, a year) and your beer could now contain harmful bacteria that will make you sick, so it is not safe to drink.

Is It Safe to Re-chill Beer?

It is a common thought that re-chilling a beer that has been warmed will spoil it. However, this is not the case. Temperature fluctuations have little to no effect on the way the beer tastes. If this were the case, all beer imported from Europe would be spoiled before it even hit the shelves in a store.

However, constantly putting your beer through cycles of warming to cooling will eventually affect the beer's taste and leave it slightly different, also known as skunked.

What is Skunked Beer?

Skunked beer is when it has gone through a chemical reaction caused by exposure to light. This is why most beer is kept in darker bottles, as they let less light in. Skunked beer can't make you ill; it just has a damaged flavour profile and will be a lot less enjoyable on your tastebuds.

It can take just 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight for your beer to become skunked, so it's important to get it into your beer fridge as quickly as possible!

To avoid skunked beer, you should keep your beer in a cool dry place, preferably a beer fridge. You should also only take it out of your beer fridge when you are about to serve it and don't leave it out too long. Beer is best served fresh or cold straight from the fridge.

What Temperature Should I Store My Beer?

Serving your beer at the correct temperature is essential if you want to get the best taste. This is why you need to understand your beer. Beer needs to chill at certain temperatures depending on the type that you are serving.

Most beer is best stored at a temperature of 5°C, however different types of beer require a different temperature so it is important to keep this in mind when storing your beer in a beer fridge. Let’s take a further look into the different beers and their temperature requirements:

• Light lagers- store between 4-6°C
• Pale ales- store between 7-10°C
• Belgian beers and high ABV stouts- stored at a temperature of 10°C or higher
• Dark ales- store at room temperature

Types of Beer Fridges

Depending on your needs and space, there are many different beer fridges available. You can get under-counter, free-standing, or even dual-temperature beer coolers.

This way you can save space in your main fridge whilst also elevating your space with a luxury beer fridge. But which type of beer fridge will be best for you? Let's look into what makes each beer fridge unique to help you determine which will be a perfect fit in your home:

Undercounter Beer Fridge

The under-counter beer fridge models are designed to fit seamlessly under your kitchen counters or cabinets. So if you have a spare cupboard you don't use or extra space under your counter that you would like to fill, an under-counter beer fridge will be perfect for you. Undercounter beer fridges must be installed next to a wall and require a certain level of ventilation.

Freestanding Beer Fridge

Freestanding beer fridge models allow for slightly more freedom than under-countermodels when it comes to where you can place them. Freestanding models can be placed anywhere in your kitchen, dining room or cellar and can also be moved when and if you move.

Wine and Beer Combinations

Wine and beer fridges are the perfect option if you can appreciate a cold glass of wine and a cold bottle of beer. This way you can keep all your favourite beverages in one place, with the freedom of two different temperatures. Wine and beer are both best stored and served at various temperatures, this means that they shouldn't be stored in the same place. However, a dual temperature zone changes this! You can now store wine and beer in the same place with the technology of a dual-temperature zone fridge!

Beer Fridges at Elite Wine Refrigeration

At Elite Wine Refrigeration, we specialise in luxury storage solutions, whether for beer or wine. We stock various brands and models of beer fridges across our online store. We have freestanding, under-counter and dual-temperature models available to browse all complete with a selection of interesting qualities. These qualities include:

• UV protected glass
• Low noise
• Low energy usage
• Reversible doors
• Adjustable shelves
• Exceptional temperature technology

With one of our luxury beer fridges, you can always have a perfectly chilled bottle of beer on hand. Beer fridges are the perfect way to elevate any space and add character.

If you have any questions about our beer fridges or are unsure which one you should choose, please don't hesitate to contact a member of our team, who will be more than happy to help.