We have all come across that random bottle of beer that was somehow forgotten about in your cooler from last summer. Well, there are some things you need to know about that beer before you decide to pop it open and drink it. Not only is beer prone to expiration, but it may also lose its alcohol content if it goes flat. So, would it even be worth the sip?
Continue reading to learn more facts about flat beer and alcohol content, as well as where to get the best beer specials and frosty beverages in downtown Indianapolis!
Beer Goes Flat Overtime
Like wine, beer ages with time, but this is not a good thing. Although aged wine is a delicacy and something to be revered, aged beer is not. Now, aged beer is not unsafe to drink, but it will taste less appealing than a freshly bottled beer. As time goes on, beer becomes flat because the proteins within it begin to break down; and once beer goes flat, the flavor profile is significantly affected. The multiple flavor notes that once existed begin to dwindle down until a singular flavor is all that can be detected. Many people refer to this single flavor taste as skunky because it is a bit musty and off-putting.
Once a beer is bottled and capped, it generally takes around 3 to 6 months to peak in flavor. From there, the beer will begin to break down and go flat. Beers with a greater number of hops are intentionally aged, and therefore have a longer shelf life compared to lagers, pilsners, ales, and other relatively-lighter beers.
Alcohol Content in Old Beer
For some, it is the alcohol that appeals to them rather than the actual taste of a beer. Well, if that’s the case, old beer should be just fine. As beer ages, it is prone to losing flavor and depth, but it will not lose any alcohol content, nor will the alcohol content increase. The alcohol content in a beer is determined and designed during the fermentation process. As beer ages, the fermentation process continues, therefore sustaining the alcohol potency, but not changing it.
Bottom Line: If you come across an ambiguous or antique beer, steer clear just to be safe. It’s not going to taste good anyway!
Do you want to know how you never have to worry about flat beer or inadequate alcohol content in your frosty beverages? Just visit English Ivy’s Pub and Eatery in Downtown Indianapolis for all the best beers and bar specials in town! Join us Tuesdays for $2 domestics, Wednesdays for $3 Corona bottles, or Thursdays for $10 beer buckets!
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