Whether you’re cracking open a beer this weekend or saving it for a special moment months down the line, knowing how to store beer properly makes all the difference.

Beer drinkers often forget that beer deserves care not just when pouring, but before and after too. Treat it well, and you’ll enjoy it exactly as the brewer intended. Luckily, we’ve got all the tips you need.

Drink these beers fresh

Some beers are simply not made for long-term storage.

These include:

• Pilsners

• IPAs (Session, Double, New England and more)

• Most Blonde beers

The rule is simple: the more a beer relies on hops, the fresher you should drink it. Hop aromas fade quickly, and old hops can develop unpleasant, cheesy flavours. Definitely not the goal.

Storing beer for a short time

If you can’t drink your beer immediately, proper storage of beer is key. Even over short periods.

Two things matter most: light and temperature.

• Light: Sunlight reacts with hop compounds, causing “lightstruck” flavours often compared to skunk or sulphur. Blonde beers are especially vulnerable. Store beer in the dark.

• Temperature: Heat accelerates oxidation, making beer taste like cardboard. Equally important is temperature stability. A beer bouncing between 5°C at night and 20°C during the day will spoil quickly.

The golden rule? Keep beer cool, dark and stable.

Why is my beer “dying” after pouring?

Once poured, beer becomes even more fragile.

A glass of lager sitting in the sun can lose its freshness in minutes, mainly due to oxygen exposure and heat.

Keep these rules in mind:

• A good foam head protects beer from oxygen

• A clean glass helps create and maintain foam

• Acid and fat destroy foam (skip the lemon slice)

• Avoid direct sunlight

• It’s better to pour two small glasses than one large one

What about BLADE kegs?

Good news: these rules apply to BLADE kegs too.

Most beers designed for BLADE are best enjoyed fresh, but correct keg storage will ensure optimal quality.

Store BLADE kegs:

• In a dark place

• At a cool, stable temperature

This helps guarantee that every pour from your BLADE home draught machine tastes as good as the first.

How long do BLADE kegs last?

Unopened BLADE kegs have a clearly marked best-before date. Once tapped and installed in the machine, beer stays fresh for up to 30 days, provided the keg remains cooled and sealed inside BLADE.

Can you drink beer after the best-before date?

Yes, beer can still be drunk after its best-before date, although it's at your own risk. We also cannot guarantee the quality will be the same, so better to drink it while it's fresh!

Thanks to boiling, alcohol and hops, beer doesn’t contain harmful bacteria. However, flavour can change, and usually not for the better.

Your best tools are simple:

• Smell it

• Taste it

If it doesn’t taste good anymore, don’t drink it. Poor storage conditions will speed up negative flavour changes.

That said, some beers are intentionally aged…

Storing beer for longer (maturing beer)

While many beers are best enjoyed fresh, others are perfect for long-term storage. These are often called storage beers.

Beers that age well

• Dubbel

• Quadrupel / Barley Wine

• Stout (especially Imperial Stout)

• Bock beer

• Geuze and Lambic

Some beers outside these styles also age beautifully — Orval being a famous example, known for its evolving character over time.

How does beer taste change with age?

Ageing affects each beer differently, but common changes include:

• Softer, rounder mouthfeel

• Increased sweetness and complexity

• Reduced carbonation

For example:

• Quadrupels may develop dried fruit notes like plum and raisin

• Strong beers can gain port, whisky or cognac-like flavours

• Geuze and Lambic become rounder and fruitier as sharp acidity mellows

How to store beer long-term

Light, temperature and humidity

For ageing beer, stability matters more than cold.

• Ideal storage: a cellar around 12°C, constant year-round

• Avoid fluctuating fridge temperatures

• Keep bottles in the dark

Humidity also matters. Excess moisture can cause crown caps to rust, leading to leaks and oxidation — that dreaded wet cardboard flavour again.

Standing up or lying down?

• Corked bottles: store lying down to keep the cork moist

• Crown caps: store upright to avoid rust and leakage

A small detail, but one that can make a big difference.

Knowing how to store beer properly helps you get the most from every bottle, can or keg. Whether you’re drinking fresh, storing short-term or ageing a special beer, light, temperature and patience are key.

Treat your beer well. It will return the favour!