Craft beer has won the hearts of drinkers around the world, celebrated for its rich flavours, creativity, and the meticulous process involved in brewing each unique pint. But for craft beer lovers, savouring these flavours at their best is just as essential as discovering them in the first place. Proper storage and care make a big difference in keeping craft beer fresh, flavorful, and enjoyable. Here’s your guide to storing and caring for your craft beer the right way.
Why Proper Storage Matters for Craft Beer
Craft beers are sensitive to their environment because they’re often unfiltered, unpasteurized, and brewed with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Temperature, light exposure, and even bottle position can affect how a beer tastes by the time you pour it into your glass. By storing your craft beer correctly, you preserve the brewer’s intended flavor, aroma, and overall experience.
1. Keep It Cool: The Ideal Temperature for Craft Beer
The most crucial rule in craft beer storage is temperature control. Beers should generally be stored between 4°C and 12°C (39°F to 54°F), depending on the style. Lower temperatures are best for preserving the beer’s freshness and slowing down any flavour degradation.
- Lagers and Light Ales: These beers taste best when stored at the lower end of the temperature range, around 4°C (39°F).
- IPAs and Pale Ales: Hoppier beers like IPAs should be stored at around 6°C to 8°C (43°F to 46°F) to keep the hops’ flavours vibrant.
- Stouts, Porters, and Strong Ales: These rich, malty beers can be stored slightly warmer, around 10°C to 12°C (50°F to 54°F), to maintain their complex flavours.
2. Avoid Light Exposure to Prevent “Skunking”
Light is the enemy of craft beer. When exposed to sunlight or fluorescent light, beer can develop a skunky, sulfuric aroma, commonly known as “skunking.” This occurs when UV rays interact with hops, causing a chemical reaction that produces an unpleasant smell and flavour.
- Dark Bottles: Dark bottles provide better protection against light, but for extra care, store your bottles away from direct light sources.
- Refrigerated Storage: If possible, store your beer in a dark or shaded refrigerator or a cellar. If using a fridge with a glass door, cover the bottles to prevent exposure.
3. Maintain a Consistent Temperature
Temperature fluctuations can ruin your beer. Rapid or extreme changes in temperature force the beer to expand and contract within its container, leading to oxidation and unwanted off-flavours. When storing beer, choose a stable environment, like a fridge or a climate-controlled cellar, to keep the temperature steady.
4. Store Upright
When storing bottles, always keep them upright. This minimises the surface area exposed to air, which helps reduce oxidation and preserves the beer's carbonation. Upright storage also keeps the yeast sediment, common in craft beers, settled at the bottom. This way, the sediment won’t interfere with the beer's taste or pour quality.
5. Consume Fresh (When Applicable)
Not all craft beers are meant for ageing. While certain high-alcohol and darker beers, like imperial stouts or barleywines, can develop richer flavours over time, most beers—especially hop-forward ones like IPAs—are best consumed fresh.
- Check Expiration Dates: Many breweries include a “best by” date on their packaging. To experience the intended flavour, try to consume your beer within this period.
- Avoid Long Storage for Hoppy Beers: IPAs and pale ales, which feature strong hop flavours, are especially vulnerable to oxidation and flavour loss over time. Aim to drink these styles within three months of purchase.
6. Avoid Excessive Agitation
Just as wine drinkers know to avoid shaking their bottles, craft beer lovers should also handle their brews with care. Agitating beer too much before it’s opened can disturb sediment and cause excessive foaming when pouring. Transport beer gently, and allow any shaken bottles to rest for a day or two before drinking.
Final Thoughts
Properly stored and cared-for craft beer tastes as the brewer intended, delivering a full experience of its flavours, aromas, and textures. If you’re a true craft beer enthusiast, taking the time to store and handle your beer correctly is well worth it. Remember, the best place to store your beer is a consistent, dark, cool environment—your fridge or cellar can be your craft beer’s best friend.
At Ang Mo Liang Teh, we’re committed to providing only the best craft beer experience. That's why we exclusively carry beer from reputable suppliers and breweries that cold-chain their products to preserve quality. From the brewery to your glass, we ensure every bottle you enjoy has been cared for with the same passion as it was brewed. Cheers to great beer, stored right!