Is 3-year-old beer okay to drink?

Question

We have a few beers (good Stella Artois bottles) in the refrigerator with Use-By dates of Feb-2022, 3 years ago. They've been in the fridge since then. Is it okay to drink them?

molonski2 · Accepted Answer

Tom , its fine , those use by dates are bs..

Years ago after a function , I had beer left for literally 5 years , I don't drink beer , I like spirits , hence that's why so long , the company had paid for them , gave them out everyone drank , no one said anything , everyone said " great " some were the brand you present here.

jamesgoldman · Accepted Answer

I'd say try one and decide from there I don't drink beer, tried several dome were reasonable some were awful... the beer drinkers in my life wouldn't drink Stella so I've not tried it

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

We call stella "wife beater" in the UK for obvious reasons. Personally I prefer ales and ciders and I've noticed the dates on the bottles are quite short.

In theory the beer should have a low bacteria count when its bottled but 5% won't inhibit any growth. It's probably ok but given its just cheap lager why bother?

douride2 · Accepted Answer

The only way to know is give one a try. Let us know how they go down.

James The Foodie · Accepted Answer

Beer, like many beverages, can change in flavor and quality over time. A 3-year-old beer, especially one stored in the fridge, might still be drinkable, but its taste could be altered. Stella Artois is a lager, and lagers can lose their crispness and develop off-flavors as they age. The aroma might change, and the beer could taste flat. If you decide to try it, start with a small sip to check for any unpleasant flavors. If it's still enjoyable to you, it should be fine, but proceed with caution. 🍺😊

FreyaRed · Answer

If it doesn't smell bad, drink it.

Beers are undergoing often process or re-pasteurization some even 5 times. 5 x 2 years = 10 years old beer. Ethanol inside prevents beer from spoiling anyway, plastic coating inside the can or beer bottle seal might be the main problem that's why they reprocess and refill beer.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

I drank non-refrigerated beer that was one+ year over the date, didn’t taste a difference. When we opened an old wine, you could smell it had turned into „vinegar“.

Kayla45 · Answer

Totally fine, as long as it’s still sealed and no outside air got into the bottle.

Best by use dates are just a manufacturer’s suggestion for the best taste, it’s not necessarily a “expire” date.

For example I once drank a 3 year old can of Pepsi in Toronto that tasted just fine to me, didn’t notice it was expired until I noticed the promotion on the can was for some old movie that came out a while ago.

katiesmuff · Answer

They will have lost some of the taste! That date is from the brewery and is for the purpose of letting you know that beyond the date stamped on the bottle the beer is beginning to go stale and go flat. Dates are something we have to watch at our bar as selling out of date beer is illegal. Often when the liquor commission stops in for an inspection they will randomly check our bottled beer in the coolers.

LiamS95 · Answer

Some beers get a bit skunky tasting over time. I had a batch of homade bock that I found a dozen bottlres that had been just sitting forgotten about on a shelf in my basement. They had to be at least 8 years old, so i chilled one and poured some into a glass, it was a rich dark color and I tentatively tasted it. it was the smoothest best tasting Bock I'd ever had or made, much better then when it was younger.

fish5505_87 · Answer

Should be, as long as it was kept in a cold dry place with little sunlight, might not taste as good! Im assuming you fridge is at a normal temp and the light it not always on. The problem with green bottled beers is light, that's why, they were used to all be brown.

HawkPerception · Answer

When it comes to alcohol, unless it's been opened, I've never really bothered to check. I'm sure I've had beers that have been sitting somewhere for longer than 3 years many times and I'm still alive and kicking

bolverk · Answer

They will be fine to drink as they are sealed containers , but personally I would not describe Stella Artois as a beer!  Are you sure that those are "Use-By" dates and not "Best before" dates?

joehypo1 · Answer

If it was in the fridge and in a dark bottle maybe it would be skunky if in green or clear bottle its no good

debbiedenise · Answer

Do they have malt in them. Sometimes, old beer can get a malty yeast solid material. I suppose if not, maybe.

Massageman · Answer

Give it a try. If it doesn't taste right, spray it on your lawn with some sugar-based cola, and some ammonia for a spring boost, and a few drops of dish soap. (Jerry Baker's Homemade Garden Tonics).

Shiprex · Answer

Get them down ya. Dtell is remarkably popular among the football hooligan crowd though. So stay away from groups of sports fans.

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

Go by the taste... the ones that make me puke taste like car tires.

NathanDavis · Answer

if anything.. might taste a bit funny or unusual won't be harmful though

Ariesman81 · Answer

Check the batteries in your LifeAlert before drinking. If all goes well, give us an update.

Alex-Snow · Answer

I do not know. Maybe try it and see. If it is no good, dump it

Staximus · Answer

If the bottles are still holding carbonation and they have been in the fridge the whole time they should be fine.

Cubus · Answer

I know this feeling. My cousin made me some plum moonshine for my birthday and I forgot about it until much later.

zagor · Answer

Shouldn't be toxic, but probably won't be very good.

lorenzomichael · Answer

No it’ll probably make you sick. I wouldn’t drink it. It’s not like it’s wine.

Wayneg89 · Answer

You CAN drink it but you shouldn't as the taste likely is ruined by age.

Nikki1989 · Answer

I wouldn't risk it.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Okay unless it smells weird!

slatyb · Answer

Yes, it is. Beverages bottled in glass do not rot.

RavVid · Answer

Should be if it tastes ok.

DJB72 · Answer

Best-before is fine. Use-by is 50/50

Drumlin2001 · Answer

Yes, but it may taste funny

DrPepper12 · Answer

No. Theyre skunked

KostasKouvalis · Answer

There's only one way to find out😉

jahaims · Answer

It will taste flat and skunky

shortster · Answer

If unopened, probably.

dougeats · Answer

no! Ony if its a stout

Anonymous · Answer

I think it's too old for drinking.

Finchie40 · Answer

It should be fine

FunkyMonkee · Answer

I don't see why not.

Anonymous · Answer

Beer taste like shit on day one Enjoy

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

I suppose.

Dongie · Answer

Maybe, maybe not.

Ladsin2 · Answer

I would.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Nope don't drink it

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