When it comes to enjoying beer, the journey doesn’t start and end with cracking open a cold one. Proper storage is a crucial step that can significantly influence the flavor and quality of your favorite brews. 

Whether you’re a casual drinker with a few favorites or a dedicated craft beer enthusiast with a large collection, understanding how to store beer correctly can make all the difference in your drinking experience.

So, what’s the best way to store beer? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all; it depends on various factors. In this guide, we’ll explore tips for storing beer. 

Tips for Storing Beer

Avoid Temperature Swings 

Temperature and humidity are crucial factors in preserving the quality of your beer. While extreme cold can be problematic, high temperatures are even more harmful. Beer is a living organism in a bottle, and heat promotes the growth of bacteria, leading to unpleasant sour, bitter, or musty flavors.

 

For unpasteurized beers with active yeast, elevated temperatures can cause rapid yeast multiplication, resulting in over-carbonation that can even explode bottles, while also diminishing flavor and altering alcohol content.

 

So, what’s the ideal storage temperature for beer? It varies by type: 

• Lagers: 32 to 40°F (chilly)
• Sour beers: 45 to 50°F
• Ales: 45 to 55°F
• Stouts and dark beers: 50 to 60°F (to enhance flavors)

Humidity also plays a significant role, especially for corked beers. In overly dry environments, corks can shrink, allowing bacteria and oxygen to spoil your brew. Maintaining the right temperature not only preserves flavor but also helps manage humidity, making a dedicated beer fridge the ideal solution for both.

Keep it Dark 

Light and heat are major factors that can ruin good beer. Ultraviolet light from the sun is particularly harmful, which is why many brewers choose dark brown bottles for extra protection. Beer in clear or green bottles is more vulnerable to light damage.

 

When beer is exposed to light, it can develop a bad smell and taste, often described as skunky. If you’ve ever opened a skunked beer, you know it’s almost undrinkable. Light breaks down the essential compounds in hops, changing beer from pleasantly bitter to unpleasant. To keep your beer safe, store it in a dark cupboard, a cellar, or a refrigerator.

Seal Tightly 

Beer should never be exposed to oxygen, as it can lead to several undesirable effects. Oxygen can cause off-putting tastes, promote the growth of bacteria, alter fermentation, and reduce carbonation.

 

This exposure often occurs when beer is inadvertently opened due to temperature extremes, whether too hot or too cold. Additionally, storing beer on its side can increase the risk of oxygen creeping in. To preserve the quality and flavor of your beer, always keep it sealed. 

Store Upright 

Beer storage differs from wine storage, as beer bottles should always be kept upright while wine bottles are typically stored horizontally.

 

When beer is stored on its side, the small amount of oxygen in the space between the liquid and the cap can increase exposure, leading to oxidation.

 

Over-oxygenated beer often tastes like wet cardboard or buttered popcorn. Additionally, unfiltered beers are more susceptible to storage issues because sediment can rise to the top, making the beer taste overly yeasty.

Avoid Freezing Your Beer 

Have you ever put a bottle of beer in the freezer to chill it faster? While it sounds like a good idea, freezing beer can actually harm its flavor. Beer that gets too cold can lose some of its subtle taste, and the water in it can freeze faster than the other ingredients, causing separation and a strange taste.

 

If you’ve left a beer in the freezer for too long, you know it can explode. Even if it doesn’t, the cap can lift slightly, letting in oxygen, which flattens the beer and reduces flavor.

 

Frosting your beer mug might seem like a solution, but it can also hurt the taste. Ice crystals from the freezer can absorb strange odors, and the extreme cold dulls the beer’s flavors. Instead, consider using a double-walled beer glass to keep your beer cool without affecting its taste.

Use a Dedicated Beer Fridge

With so many factors affecting the taste, quality, and shelf life of beer, a regular refrigerator, while better than the countertop, isn't ideal. The best solution is a dedicated beer or beverage fridge.

 

A dedicated beer fridge allows you to store your brews at the ideal temperature while freeing up space in your main refrigerator. 

 

Beer fridges fall into four categories: 

• Built-in fridges designed for long-term placement 
• Freestanding beverage fridges offering flexibility yin location 
• Outdoor beverage refrigerators for patios 
• Dual zone beverage fridges with separate temperature chambers for different beverages 

When choosing a beer fridge, start by considering its size and location. Where will it go? Options range from large under counter units to compact countertop models.  

• Freestanding fridges are ideal for renters or RV travelers.
• Built-in or outdoor fridges are perfect for a long-term home bar setup. 

Additional features to consider include: 

• Adjustable shelving for upright storage. 
• Precise temperature controls to preserve flavor. 
• Exterior control panels and temperature displays for consistent temperature monitoring. 
• UV-resistant doors to protect beer from light damage. 
• Fingerprint-resistant doors for a sleek, low-maintenance look. 
• Low-level LED lighting to view your collection without harming the beer.
• Side-by-side storage for both beer and wine enthusiasts. 
• Black or stainless steel finishes to match the decor of your home or business.

Shop Newair’s Selection of Beverage Fridges for Beer Lovers

No matter your beer preference, proper storage is the key to enjoying your brews at their best. With the right temperature, light protection, and storage techniques, you can keep your beer fresh and flavorful for longer.

To make beer storage easy, check out Newair’s line of beverage fridges. With features like UV-resistant doors, customizable shelving, and precision temperature controls, our fridges provide the perfect environment for your favorite brews.