If you love beer and you enjoy keeping several varieties on hand, then it’s important to always store these bottles properly. Improper storage can affect the flavour and quality of the beer which is certainly a shame – especially if the bottle was a gift or particularly expensive.

The first thing you need to remember is to keep all beer bottles upright. This allows the yeast to deposit on the bottom of the bottle rather than forming a ring around the top or side. You want any sediment to find its way to the bottom for flavour and quality purposes.

Keep your beer out of direct sunlight. Better still, store in a dark place. Sun exposure causes beer to ”go skunked” which means that it tastes so bad that nobody will want to drink it! The temperature of the room can also affect the flavour and quality of your beer. For the most part, temperatures between 10 and 12.8 degrees Celsius are best. Beers with a higher alcohol content can be stored at slightly warmer temperatures while light beers enjoy lower temperatures (as low as 7 degrees).

By following these rules, your beer can be stored safely but not indefinitely. Depending on the type of beer, there will come a time when it will go bad. Some of your average beers can be stored for up to six months whereas specialist beers can be stored for up to 5 years.

Finally, don’t forget that a beer should be consumed after it is opened. Do not try to put the top back on and store it because those bubbles will escape and your beer will be flat before you now it. Of course, if you can’t finish your beer, don’t force it. Simply set it aside and use it for cooking instead!