Does Beer Go Bad?
 

Does beer in a bottle really go bad? If you have some beer that has been sitting in the basement for awhile (3mos.,6mos.,9mos.) does it go bad like milk or does it just loose flavor?:?:

any beer i have over 6 months old, i toss

Depends on the type of beer, really. As long as it wasn't subjected to extreme temperature changes, it should be ~OK~, but may not have it's best taste. I've drank beer that sat in a fridge for over a year (Spaten Winterbrew or something) and it was still fresh. I'll post more later on when I get home from work - my summer gig is working in a liquor store.

It can go bad. If it has been subjected to severe temperature changes it will most likely be nasty. What beer is it? I would open one up and see how it smells and then try it.

one word... skunked

Yes, it can. As Jeff said, temperature changes can do the most damage in the least amount of time.

what this man said.

I checked with the owner of the store today, and he agreed. As long as it wasn't subjected to extreme temperature changes, it should be fine. You'd know it was bad as soon as you open it. If it doesn't smell nasty, then it's safe to drink.

I have some Russian beer (forgot the brand) since new year's. Drank a few bottles last weekend. Got me feeling pretty good!

yeah as logn as its stored somwhere with constant temperature then you should be good

Cool, dark places are just fine for long term beer storage. Some will age better than others (I know of some that will keep getting better for years), but as long as there are no crazy temperature changes it should be ok.

- Justin

When beer goes from cold to warm to cold to warm it will usually get skunked. Like everyone else said, lots of temperature changes tend to make it go bad and taste like crap.