How Long Canned Beer Lasts In The Fridge Vs At Room Temperature

You're finally home from work after beating rush hour traffic and you want to crack open a cold brew. You look in the refrigerator and the only beer left is the one in the murky corner you may have bought a year ago. Or maybe someone brought it over? It's iffy, for sure.

So do you know if it's okay to take the chance to drink it? How long does canned beer last in the back of your fridge? Turns out, beer does expire. Most beer cans and bottles have expiration dates and it's best to follow them if you want the best tasting beer. The shelf life of canned beer can vary depending on factors such as the type of beer, its alcohol content, and storage conditions. In general, storing canned beer in the fridge will help extend its shelf life compared to storing it at room temperature. The key thing you want to avoid is sun/light exposure and heat when it comes to preserving that cold brew.

Expired beer does not mean it is unsafe to drink. It simply means its flavors and aromas may not be at their prime anymore. According to BinWise, canned and bottled beer will last an additional two to three years in the fridge past its expiration date. The cold temperature helps slow down the oxidation and degradation processes that can affect the flavor and freshness of the beer.

At room temperature, sealed beer will only last five to nine months beyond its expiration date. At room temperature, the beer is also more susceptible to heat and light exposure, which can accelerate the aging process and lead to off-flavors and deterioration in quality. Additionally, higher alcohol content beer will last longer than lower ones because alcohol is a good preservative. Opened beer, on the other hand, will only taste good for about a day in the fridge.

If you have opened cans or some old brews and you don't know what to do with them, cook with the beer! Go for a grilled beer-can chicken recipe or an Irish beer bread with some Guinness. In the fridge or at room temperature, there's no wasting good beer.