Here are a few very simple rules to try and stick to;
Temperature
- Beer does not like large changes in temperature
- If you buy your beers cold get them back into your fridge as soon as you can.
- If you have a long trip or are not going to put them straight into the fridge ask to buy them warm.
- Beer can go off, if left in a hot car for a few hours.
- Store your beer in a cool position.
Light
- Beer does not like bright light.
- It’s better to have brown bottles to keep the light out of the beer.
- Many breweries put their beer in clear glass this is probably not the best way to bottle and is generally a commercial decision.
- Still many good beers come in clear or green glass.
- Store your beer in a cool dark area away from light.
Long term storage
- Store your beers in a cool dark place.
- Some beers can be kept for many years.
- They should be stored in the same way as you cellar wine.
- A cool dark cellar type location is best.
Date Code
- By Australian law all beer should have a date code.
- Make it a habit to check the date.
- Most local beer should be drunk within 3 months (No more than nine)
- Quality beers like Weihenstephan have a shelf life of 12 months and some beers like Cantillon are made to put away for years.
- A beer that is out of code is not bad; it is just not as fresh as one would desire.
- I have had many out of code beers, which were still fine.
- If you buy out of code beer make sure they sell it to you cheap.
Look at It
- Before you drink the beer have a look at it. Look for floating blobs or discolouration.
- Don’t get confused with the sediment, which is part of some beers.
- Also look to see if it is flat. Some beers are made quite flat but that is rare.
Smell It
- Smell the beer for an off smell; you will know it when you get a bad one.
Taste It
- Taste the beer. If you are familiar with the beer you know what it should taste like.
- If not look for a bad taste, flat taste, over powering taste or lack of taste, again you will know it when you taste it.
Take It Back
- If you feel your beer is bad ring the store you purchased it from.
- Most good stores will want to try it first but they should replace it as long as you have treated your beer well.
