When you buy a bottle of your favourite alcohol, it’s important to know how to store it and how long it can be stored before going bad. Some types of beverages stay good longer than others. They also require somewhat different storage conditions. Here’s what you need to know about beer, wine and various spirits.

Beer

When you buy beer, you will notice that there is an expiration date printed on the bottle. No matter the expiration date, beer should never be allowed to get warm. Beer is sensitive to light so you should also keep it in a dark place just as you would wine. Once beer is opened, it is best consumed within a few hours or it will go flat.

Wine

If properly stored, a sealed bottle of wine can last for up to 10 years. While many people think that alcohol can’t go bad, wine can quickly turn into vinegar if you forget about it. You should also make sure that wine is stored at the right temperature and in a dark place such as a cellar. It’s also good to note that champagne can keep for well over a decade. Once opened, you should drink that bottle of bubbly within 24 hours or it will lose its bubbles.

Vodka

Vodka is one of the most stable types of alcohol available. Once the bottle is opened, it will start to evaporate and this will affect the flavour and quality of the bottle. Of course, it’s also worth noting that many of the main vodka producers encourage that you consume the bottle within two years to prevent any degradation of the quality or flavour.

Whisky

Whisky, like vodka, is another kind of alcohol that has an almost infinite shelf life. If you store it in a cool and dark place to protect all those delicate flavours. If the bottle is opened and there is less than half left inside, you should consume it within a year. If there is less than one quarter of the bottle left, you should drink it within three or four months.

Rum

There are various types of rum but, in general, this type of alcohol behaves a lot like whisky. If unopened, you can keep the bottle for many years. Once opened, you should consume it within three months.

Now that you know how long each type of alcohol lasts and how you should store each bottle, you can shop, store and enjoy accordingly. It’s also great to remember these tips if you are planning on sending a special bottle to somebody special.