Are you sick of drinking stale beer, but aren't sure if it's really as bad as you think? Get the lowdown about why you should be taking a stand against stale beer, and why it's not worth the money you spend on it. Learn the truth and get empowered to get the freshest beer you can.
It's no secret that we Americans are beer lovers. We enjoy the taste of cold, savory beer on hot summer days and the way it pairs well with our favorite bar food. But even as we enjoy a pint of our go-to beverage, we often forget that far too many of us have become accustomed to drinking stale beer.
We Americans drink far too much stale beer, all the while pretending it’s the best stuff on Earth. Whether it’s from Belgium, Germany, Japan or a few states away, our willingness to spend big bucks to get burned time and again has to be some form of gastronomic psychosis. It's time to embrace fresher brews, in order to maximize our beer-drinking experience and break the cycle of settling for stale beer.
In this article, we'll take a look at what causes beer to go stale and why it’s best to stay far away. We'll also look at a few solutions that can help Americans avoid stale beer and chip away at our bad brewing habits. Finally, we'll provide some tips so you can start making the most of your beer-drinking adventures.
Beer experts have known for some time that the wrong storage conditions can cause beer to become stale. Most beer has an expiration date printed on the packaging and if the beer is kept around past its expiration date, it may start to have an odd taste or smell. This happens because as beer ages, a host of chemical reactions take place that can cause changes in color, aroma and flavor. You may find that your beer takes on a distinct skunky smell and taste or, if it was poorly stored, it can pick up other unpleasant odors.
The most common culprits to blame for stale beer include:
When any of these factors come into play, the beer can quickly lose it's prime flavor, taste and color.
Drinking stale beer is not a life-threatening activity, but that doesn't mean that there aren't some dangers associated with it. For one, when beer goes stale it can become a source of bacteria that can make you sick. Poorly stored beer can also contain a range of chemicals, such as formaldehyde and ethyl acetate, that may cause you to feel ill after drinking it.
In addition, stale beer may lead to digestive issues. As beer ages, its sugar content changes, which can lead to an upset stomach and bloating. Stale beer can also contain higher levels of alcohol, which can give you a terrible hangover if you're not careful.
There are a few different ways to avoid drinking stale beer. The first is to ensure that you're buying quality beer that's been stored properly. Look for beer that's been stored cold and properly sealed in an airtight bottle or can. You should also be aware of its expiration date and make sure you don't purchase beer that has passed its best before date.
Another way to avoid stale beer is to bring it to proper temperature before ingestion. Beer should be stored cold in order to maintain its flavor and prevent it from spoiling. If it's been sitting out for a while, you should put it in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before drinking it.
Finally, you should consider serving it within a certain timeframe. Beer is best when it's fresh and has not been sitting out too long. This means that if you're hosting a party or get-together, you should serve the beer right away and not let it sit out for hours or days. You may also want to consider buying beer in smaller batches so you can make sure the beer stays nice and fresh.
Now that you know more about the dangers of stale beer and how to avoid it, let's look at a few ways to make the