If you're looking at those packs of beer you forgot in your refrigerator and wondering, “How long does beer last in the fridge?” You've come to the right place.
On average, beer lasts about 6-8 months in the fridge if stored properly. However, long beer is good for in the fridge can vary based on the type of beer in question and whether the storage conditions are appropriate.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about beer storage and shelf life.
Does Beer Actually Go Bad?
Yes, beer can go bad even in the fridge – but probably not in the way you're thinking.
Unlike perishable foods like meats and vegetables that go bad over time and immediately become unsafe to consume, beer doesn't become unsafe to drink over time, even after it starts losing its taste.
Instead, the quality degrades slowly: the hop flavors fade, the malts develop a stale taste, and that crisp taste you love becomes less appealing.
So, when it is said that beer has gone bad, it usually means the beer has lost its good taste over time: not necessarily that it has become unsafe to drink.
Does Beer Go Bad in the Fridge?
Storing beer in the fridge significantly extends its shelf life because it slows the aging process. The cold fridge temperatures reduce the speed of oxidation and other chemical reactions that can affect beer's taste. However, after 6-8 months, the beer may actually go bad and become practically undrinkable.
How Long Beer Lasts in the Fridge: A Breakdown
Though beer generally lasts about 6-8 months in the fridge, some types of beer can last longer than others: commercial pasteurized beer lasts about 6-8 months, craft beer lasts about 3-4 months, and unpasteurized beer only lasts 2-3 months.
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Commercial Pasteurized Beer: 6-8 months in the fridge
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Craft Beer: 3-4 months in the fridge
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Unpasteurized Beer: 2-3 months in the fridge.
Fridge vs. Room Temperature: How Long Does Beer Last?
Storing beer in the fridge significantly extends its shelf life compared to room-temperature storage. When stored in the fridge at about 32-40°F, commercial pasteurized beer would last about 6-8 months, which is
Here's how storage temperatures affect beer freshness:
In the Fridge (32-40°F)
Commercial Pasteurized Beer: 6-8 months
Craft Beer: 3-4 months
Unpasteurized Beer: 2-3 months.
At Room Temperature (68-72°F)
Commercial Pasteurized Beer: 3-4 months
Craft Beer: 1-2 months
Unpasteurized Beer: 1 month
How Long Does Canned Beer Last in the Fridge?
Canned beer has superior storage potential compared to bottled beer. When stored in the fridge, you can expect canned beer to last between 6 to 9 months at room temperature, which is about a month longer than the average duration for beer.
Here’s what to expect:
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In the fridge: 6-9 months for optimal taste
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At room temperature: 4-6 months before quality starts to decline
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In warm conditions: 2-3 months (not recommended)
How Long Does Unopened Beer Last in the Fridge?
Unopened beer, when stored properly in the fridge, can last about half a year or a full year, depending on whether it is mass-produced beer or craft beer. Mass-produced beer lasts about 6-12 months, while craft beer only lasts about 4-6 months in the fridge.
Mass-produced beer: 6-12 months
Craft beer: 4-6 months
High-alcohol beers (like barleywines or imperial stouts): 1 year or more
Beer Expiration Dates: What You Need to Know
Beer does have expiration dates: however, they're more like "best-by" dates than strict expiration dates. The expiration date of beer is different from other products because indicates that the beer will remain at top quality until that date: it might still be safe after that date, but the quality will begin to decline.
Can You Drink Expired Beer from the Fridge?
You can safely drink expired beer that's been stored in the fridge, but the taste may not be ideal. The longer past the expiration date, the worse the beer will taste: between 0-3 months past the expiring date, there is a minimal difference in taste, but after that, it might be basically undrinkeable.
0-3 months past date: Minimal taste difference
3-6 months past date: Noticeable flavor degradation
6+ months past date: Significant loss of hop character, possible stale flavors
Best Practices: How to Store Beer in the Fridge
To maximize how long your beer lasts in the fridge, store it upright in an upright position to minimize oxidation, and keep it away from spots where sunlight could reach it.
Here are some additional tips
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Ensure that the fridge temperature is consistent.
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Don't store beer near the fridge door
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Keep it away from the freezer section
Get a Good Refrigerator
If you own a business that bar or a restaurant, you might be especially concerned about how long you can store your beer before it goes bad.
A good tip would be to get a good quality commercial refrigerator capable of maintaining optimal temperatures and with sufficient space for you to store as many beer cans as you need for your business.
This is where Wilprep’s Kitchen comes in.
Store Your Beer With Wilprep Kitchen Commercial Refrigerators
Wilprep’s Kitchen is a top provider of reliable commercial kitchen equipment, including refrigerators, food warmers, commercial ranges, and industrial ovens.
Wilprep’s collection of commercial refrigerators contains a variety of models, including display refrigerators, reach-in, and open-air models to suit the needs of diverse businesses.
However, if you own a small business and deal in goods like drinks and beverages, or any products stored and displayed in bottles, here are top 3 glass-door refrigerators for you!
1. Wilpreps Commercial Display Refrigerator
At 27.6 inches, this 27.6-inch commercial refrigerator is one of the smallest in Wilprep’s collection. It still has an impressive storage capacity and other features that make it perfect for your small business.
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Enough space to easily display up to 510 standard 12 oz. cans of beer.
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An Embraco compressor for fast and efficient cooling.
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Suitable and consistent temperatures between 32-50°F.
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Shelves are also adjustable and removable: with the flexibility to store taller cans and bottles.
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It consumes only 2.4 kWh/24h, which is way less than many refrigerators of a similar size.
2. 44.5" Commercial Display Refrigerator with 2 Glass Doors
This Double glass door refrigerator from Wilprep has an advanced air cooling system that ensures fast, with an Embraco compressor with R290 refrigerant providing high efficiency and energy savings for long-term reliability.
Key Features
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33.5 cubic feet of storage, ideal for medium to high-volume needs.
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An Embraco compressor for reliable and consistent cooling between 32°F and 50°F.
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Easily displays up to 950 standard 12 oz. cans
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Adjustable shelving accommodates items of varying sizes.
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Dual tempered glass doors offer clear visibility and easy access
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Bright LED interior lighting for enhanced product appeal.
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Built with high-quality materials for frequent commercial use.
3. Commercial Display Refrigerator 3 Glass Doors
This commercial refrigerator keeps your drinks perfectly chilled and displayed with an efficient air cooling system that ensures fast, even cooling. It offers three times everything the first model offers.
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52.4 cu. ft. capacity: easily displays up to 1500 standard 12 oz. cans.
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A high-density insulation layer for excellent thermal insulation
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Low E-tempered glass doors with LED lights for bright display.
More From Wilprep
These are just a few of the commercial display refrigerators in Wilprep’s collection. If you are still undecided about which models best suits your business needs, you can refer to Wilprep’s official website for more options.
In addition to top-quality refrigerators, Wilprep offers other kinds of kitchen equipment to take your business to the next level.
Check out Wilprep’s commercial convection ovens, commercial gas ranges, and even soup kettles.
