What is the shelf life of beer in different containers?
There are many myths associated with the container that contains beer. Some believe that draft is better than bottled because it is "live. Others insist that everything bottled in beer restaurants is worse by default because it is shipped by the barrel, and the real taste and authenticity can only be contained in a small bottle. Both are wrong: Any quality beer that hasn't expired is good by default. But which one lasts longer?
Capacities and their features
The favorite container of producers and owners of beer restaurants are kegs: they are unbreakable, easy to transport, do not let the sunlight in, do not react with the drink. The only snag is the conditions under which they are stored and how the beer they contain is poured. Even the best product can go bad if kept in the wrong place or put through a system that hasn't been cleaned in a while. That's why it's important to choose bars that take this seriously - and then the drink will enjoy its pristine taste and aroma. Pasteurized beer can be stored in a closed keg for up to six months, live beer - for up to 30 days, and if the bottle is opened, it should be consumed within one or two days.
Bottles, due to their fragility, are not very convenient for storing beer, but many connoisseurs choose these containers. First of all, because bottled beer accurately conveys everything the producer wanted to put into it. It is enough to heat or cool it to the right temperature when serving and you will get exactly what you are looking for, regardless of the diligence of the sellers. To prevent exposure to ultraviolet light, the beer is poured into brown or green glass bottles. The shelf life is set by the manufacturer, depending on the variety, and usually ranges from a few months to a year.
The most unfavorable storage conditions for beer are plastic containers. They are suitable at most for carrying beer from the bar to the house. Buy drinks that are poured in such containers in the factory, categorically not recommended - over time, plastic releases harmful substances that come into contact with the drink. The same applies to aluminum cans: they are not dangerous in themselves, but even a slight damage to such a container may provoke a dangerous reaction for health inside the container.
Opened beer should not be stored for a long time, regardless of what container it was in. At best it can last up to 24 hours, but it is ideal to consume it immediately after opening the container. And may your favorite foamy beverages always be enjoyed!
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Craft beer glasses: your guide to serving beer properly
Why is traditional kölsch beer in German beer restaurants only served in narrow, elongated, small glasses? Why is it that local brews in other countries are served, for example, in pint glasses? It’s not a marketing move — the point is that in a properly shaped vessel beer better reveals its flavor and aroma, as well as retains a stable foam. And if you choose the right container, you can even at home to get maximum pleasure from your favorite varieties. To help all beer lovers — our guide to glasses! A pint of Nonic Suitable for styles: india pale ale, porter, brown ale, cider This is a versatile glass that is ideal for drinkable, low-alcoholic varieties. There are three types of pint glasses, the most popular being the 0.6 liter Nonic from the UK. It is a container with slightly curved walls that widen slightly at the bottom. Snifter Suitable for styles: stout, porter, barleywine The same «pouzat» glass that is also often seen in beer restaurants. The deep bowl retains the distinct flavor of the drink well, and the short stem allows it to be slightly warmed by human body heat, thus bringing out the aroma. The snifter is ideal for aromatic brews such as strong ales. Tulip Suitable for styles: Belgian ale, wild ale This glass is somewhat like a snifter, but with an elongated rather than narrowed neck. The tulip retains foam well, and the container also helps to capture volatile substances. A great choice for strong styles, although experts say it’s the perfect shape for any variety if you plan to drink just one glass. Pilsner Suitable for styles: lager, pilsner, bock A glass for serving all light lagers, including pilsners. It has a long shape with pronounced straight lines and a slightly tapered neck, which helps to stabilize the foam. The pilsner is also ideal for showing off the color and carbonation of the drink. Weitzen Suitable for styles: hefeweizen, witbier A smoothly shaped glass with a wide neck, originally from Germany. It is ideal for serving a variety of wheat beers, such as Hefenweizens and Belgian Witbiers. In such a glass, the flavor of the beverage will unfold well and a lush, high foam will be retained. Teku Suitable for: double IPA, saison, lambic This 0.3-liter glass is a relatively recent development and rather resembles a version of the famous tulip, but with sharper corners. The container well reveals the flavor of the drink and preserves the foam, and the long stem prevents it from heating up. By the way, in Lambic restaurants beer is served only in the right glasses. Come and see for yourself!
27 March 2024
Learning how to properly store beer so it doesn't lose its flavor
Has it ever happened that you buy expensive and seemingly high-quality beer, but it doesn’t live up to expectations? Often the taste qualities are affected not only by the manufacturing process, but also by transportation and storage of the drink, and not only in the manufacturer’s warehouses, but also at home. And if you can’t influence some moments, then every responsible beer lover should understand the rules of home storage. We tell you how to properly store beer so that it retains its true flavor. No hot rooms Many people put beer in the fridge just before drinking, but before that they simply store it in drawers in the kitchen. This can be done, but not for long — after a few weeks, even at room temperature, beer will inevitably start to lose its flavor. The ideal storage temperature for beer is about +1 °C. Some varieties can be stored at 10-12 degrees, but if you are not ready to understand the subtleties — it is better to choose a cool place for beer. And even more so, beer should not be stored in hot rooms, for example, next to a radiator — it will quickly become unusable. Out of the sunlight The flavor of beer can be spoiled if it is constantly exposed to sunlight. Brown glass bottles cope best with direct rays — they keep out about 98% of the radiation. Green bottles, on the other hand, are only 20% impervious. It is undesirable to store beer in transparent bottles; it is better to consume it immediately after purchase. Therefore, the optimal storage method for all varieties is a dark space. Ideally a cellar, but a cupboard in the pantry will also work. Don’t open it! Leaving the beer open to finish it tomorrow is a bad decision. In the air, the drink quickly wears off and loses its flavor. By the way, oxygen can also get into closed bottles, if, for example, the production technology is broken. But this will immediately indicate an atypical odor — cardboard, paper or wax. Such a drink can not only not give pleasure, but also harm your health. And be sure to check the expiration dates even on tested varieties. How do you store draught beer? The average shelf life of draught beer is 3 days if the storage rules are followed. Such a short period of time is due to the fact that during bottling beer comes into contact with air, the bottle is not airtight and sterile. How long can you store draft beer in the bottle so that it does not spoil? Here are some tips. Of course, beer should be kept in the refrigerator. Strong beer should be stored at a temperature of no more than 15 degrees, low-alcohol beer — no more than 10 degrees. If the beer is not stored in the refrigerator but in another cold place, take care to keep it dark. Bacteria are more active in the presence of light. Bottles should be stored vertically. Because quality live beer has yeast sediment, storing it in the refrigerator is strongly discouraged. At low temperatures, the yeast dies, which also affects the flavor. Live beer is best consumed immediately after purchase — it is not pasteurized and therefore does not keep for long. Better still, come and try it at any Lambic beer restaurant. We take a responsible approach to beer storage and guarantee its excellent taste!
27 March 2024