How To Tell Beer Has Gone Bad

It's no secret that beer is one of the most popular beverages in the U.S. Beer Info claims that an average adult guzzles up approximately 28.2 gallons of beer per year — which is around one six-pack per week. Beer is one of those alcoholic beverages that is frequently used in social situations, such as celebrating the Super Bowl or catching up with a friend, so it makes sense why so much of it is consumed yearly.

There's, however, some bad news for all beer drinkers: Turns out, the beverage doesn't last forever like we wish it would. Beer has a tendency to go bad if you leave it in your house long enough. Thompson Island Brewing recommends storing bottles in a cool, dry place for optimized shelf life. An unopened beer at room temperature will only last you up to four to six months on average. If you keep the beverage in the refrigerator, the liquor has a better chance of lasting up to six months. Say you have a pack full of beer and are unsure of the expiration date. The question is, how can you tell that the drink has gone bad?

Bad beer smells like a skunk

To check whether you beer is still fit for consumption, there're a couple of things you need to do. First things first, check the beer for aging clues. According to Eat By Date, a dusty bottle, discolored label or seepage around the cap will indicate that you probably shouldn't drink the beer. If the color of the beer has changed in any way or if there is some sort of visible settlement towards the bottom of the bottle, you should definitely throw it out. In such scenarios, it's very likely that the beer has gone bad. 

Ever heard of skunked beer? That's a characteristic that is often something you'll notice right away. Skunked beer is when the liquid, well, smells like a skunk. Renegade Brewing explains that the scent occurs if the beer is exposed to ultraviolet or artificial light. A chemical reaction in the light results due to the yeast, grain, hops, and water in the beer. Now that you know what to look out for, you will — hopefully — never take another sip of bad beer again!