When we go to a bar or pub we don’t even have to think about how the beer is stored. All that is taken care of by the bartenders. However when storing beer at home, we do need to think about the right way to store beer. So should beer be kept in the fridge?
Or is it okay to store beer at room temperature? That depends on what temperature your room is. There is also light to take into consideration.
Should Beer Be Kept In The Fridge?
As a general rule of thumb it is best to store your beer in a fridge at home. Beer will last longer and be kept in the best condition when it is stored in a cool dark place. When beer gets warm it will degrade and the flavour can be affected. So a fridge is ideal for storing beer at home.
If fridge space is not available, then a cool dark place like a cellar or under stair cupboard.
Why Is Beer Best Stored Cold?
There are many opinions about what temperature to store beer at. Some beers are better served on the warmer side close to room temperature.
So it might make sense to store the beer at room temperature. Furthermore it is down to personal choice, if you want to store your beer in a warm environment, then go ahead.
However there are some official guidelines for bars and pubs on how to store beer. Those guidelines come from Cicerone Certification Program, an organisation that knows beer.
So it makes sense to copy the guidelines set out for commercial properties at home.
Can Beer Go Bad If Stored In The Heat?
Heat and light are a beers enemy. When a beer gets too warm it can seriously affect its shelf life. While moving a beer from a fridge and letting it come up to near room temperature will not damage its flavours.
A beer exposed to high temperatures like 25°C (78°F) for a period of time will cause the beers flavour to degrade. While it might not be harmful, it may not taste how it should.
Can Beer Go Bad If Exposed To Light?
Just like heat, light is an enemy of beer. When beer is exposed to direct light it can also cause degradation. Direct light can cause the alpha acids in hops to release sulfuric elements.
This can give the beer an offensive smell and taste like that of a skunk. Nobody wants their beer to taste skunky. Sunlight is the obvious light that can cause damage. However fluorescent and LED lights can all degrade a beer too.
These are the main reasons why it is best to store beer at home in a cool dark place. A refrigerator being the best environment.
How Should I Store My Beer At Home?
A Cicerone is a beer expert, and according to the training material they follow, here are a few guidelines for storing beer.
To store beer properly keep refrigerated at all times. If no refrigeration is available, then store in a cool temperature controlled beer cellar.
Always protect beer from light. Bottled beers are affected by light, especially clear or green bottles. While brown bottles are more effective from shielding light, they too can be affected by direct light.
So the guidelines specifically refer to protecting beer from heat and light.
While this may be the guide for a commercial premises, it makes sense to store beer in a similar way at home.
How To Store Beer At Home
The ideal way to store beer at home is to have a dedicated beer fridge. This may well be the case if you have a home bar or pub shed.
However it is not always easy to have a fridge just for your beer. So if a beer fridge is out of the question, then maybe a shelf within your food fridge could be the beer shelf. I have two shelves in my food fridge dedicated to beer.
If that is not possible, then its best to find somewhere that is cool and dark. A basement is normally a good place to store beer because it is normally cooler then the rest of the house.
A cupboard under the stairs will be dark and sometimes cool too. Or a garage might be the right place with a cooler temperature. However when the garage door is open for long periods it won’t be a dark place. So maybe store the beer in a cupboard in the garage.
Anywhere within the home that is cool and dark is the next best thing to a refrigerator.
Final Thoughts
Although there maybe many opinions on how to store beer. Going by the Cicerone guidelines, it seems cool dark storage is best for the beer.
Obviously some beers are better served warmer than fridge temperature. These type of beers can be taken from the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the beer to come up in temperature ready for serving.
What is your take on beer storage? Share your thoughts on how you store your beer.
Rob is a passionate home bar and pub shed enthusiast with a passion for craft beer. With hands-on experience in designing and building his own home bar, Rob shares his knowledge, tips, and inspiration to help fellow enthusiasts create their own perfect space. Alongside the world of home bars and pub sheds, Rob also explores the diverse and exciting realm of craft beer, providing honest reviews to help you discover your next favorite brew. Join Rob on a journey of flavor, design, and craftsmanship right here on Home Bar Kit.