Does canned beer go bad?

Question

I was just wondering if canned beer that is kept in the fridge goes bad after a certain time. I looked on the box and I couldnt find a date or anything. Thanks

I bought a case of Miller about a month ago and I looked for a date on the box and on the cans and there is nothing there. Should they still be good to drink?

Answer 1

Meg, I can't help but laugh at all of the answers that you get from the so called "experts" on the taste, age, use, and consumption of beer. Just remember one thing, the fresher the beer (the soonest consumed as to manufacture date) the better. That is why beer from the keg is much better than beer that is bottled or canned. Usually the brewer will pull the beer from the shelves (rotate) after 110-120 days for they want to give the consumer the freshest beer possible. Another thing to remember that in the case of a beer that is un-pasteurized (Coors for example) you must keep it cold for if it goes above 42 degrees it will start to re-ferment. I was always amazed at the people who back East when Coors was not available would have someone bring it out in their trunk, store it in their basement for months and then drink it and say "great beer" it was only great because it was unavailable. Anyway not to ramble, drink beer as soon as you can, the fresher the better, pour your beer into a 'beer clean' glass (it will taste better, and you won't get bloated) give it a good head of foam and enjoy, enjoy.

Answer 2

Does Canned Beer Go Bad

Answer 3

Absolutely, beer can and does go bad. In fact, it will go bad sooner or later, depending on how it s stored. When I was a much younger fellow, I had a taste for Miller High Life, one of the few beers that (still) comes in clear bottles. Many s the time I d order one and find it "skunky," meaning tasting like a crap sandwich and flat. Beer is highly sensitive to light, which is why most beers are bottled in colored glass. But no matter how it s packaged, even in cans or a keg, beer will go bad sooner or later. A friend recently brought me a case of my favorite light lager (payment for doing his taxes). When I cracked one last night, I noticed that it didn t taste right -- not full-blown "skunky," but flat and headed that way. I checked the expiration date, which is stamped on the bottom of many beer cans, and sure enough -- November 9, 2015, almost exactly three months ago. I just picked up a replacement case at my local store and checked the can date -- May 16, 2016, just as it should be. I called my buddy and explained what had happened, and he s on his way to the carryout to register his complaint.

Answer 4

Shelf Life Of Beer

Answer 5

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.

You can find more information on this link:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/101/store.php

Answer 6

Oh yeah.....it will go bad. That's why Budweiser has a use by date on their product, and spent megabucks on an ad campaign about skunky beer. But if you're desperate, there is no such thing as bad beer.

Answer 7

Beer should last a little over 3 months as long as you don't keep warming and cooling it i.e. in and out of the fridge. Also light will affect beer but since its in cans.

Answer 8

Yes. Beer is a food product. It should not be treated like normal alcohol. If you do not keep beer cold, it will immediately lose its intended flavor. Also, if you keep beer for too long and do not drink it, it will also lose its intended flavor. It all depends though. Crack it open, give it a taste and if you don't like it, throw it away and make a beer run.

Answer 9

Nothing to worry about in terms of either "safe to drink" or "good to drink."
The accepted shelf life of canned beer is about six months after it leaves the brewery. This gets reduced if it's subjected to extreme temperatures (like leaving it in a car on a hot day). But you're still only talking about problems with the flavor (it gets a stale taste from oxidation over time).

Answer 10

A month ago? Wow, it sounds like you're a real boozer.You can send it to me, I will make sure it is O.K. Realize, the oldest beer-like substance was found in Egypt and is believed to be over 3000 years old.One of the Egyptologists who found it took a swig and he's fine.