Bottle Shelf Life

[benthegeek]

Well, I hope to soon take over the home brew kit (nice looking stainless steel setup) of my father to make a few different brews of my own, but that will come a little later.

For now, looking through the shed at the collection of 700ml bottles I noticed 5 were still capped. Brushing some of the dust away revealed 3 Cider, 1 Ginger Beer and 1 Standard Beer.

Now, I can remember opening a few of these about 4 years back, so they are mightly old but still look in reasonably good condition. They have been kept under cover, but would have been exposed to the the crazy temperature changes of Southern Australia. As low at 5C in Winter and as high at 40C in summer.

So, what is the general shelf life of bottled home brew? Everything was steralised properly and the bottles are quality glass and sealed with the non screw type caps.

Also, what would I expect in terms of smell, flavour and look if they have degenerated over time? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[gman]

I wouldn't drink those. I've heard stories about people that drink beer that's several years old and exposed to crazy temperature changes.

 

[DraconianHand]

You can try it. The worst that happens is you open the beer, it tastes like crap and you pour it out. It would be a shame to throw out a good bottle of beer (although chances are it is ruined).

 

[malkore]

take a LITTLE sip and taste it. most likely over that time, they've gone sour/rancid/off flavor significantly.

 

[Reverend JC]

Wait, wait, WAIT.

Depending on the abv of the brews they could be fine and aged very well. Open and try, what are you out if they are bad? You never know, you could find it is the best beverage you have ever put in you mouth.

 

[Tenchiro]

Make sure to have a buddy video you, if you go blind and/or crazy it would make fabulous youtube content.

 

[benthegeek]

Given that there was three ciders, I cracked on of them open to taste. Still had plenty of gas and looked like cider. The problem it I last had it many years ago so I had nothing to compare the taste to, I recall it having a pretty bad taste even when new and I would say it was still bad, just not good cider. There was a slight aftertaste to it that made me think something had changed over the years.

The beers will be tested at a later date with some friends in case they are something special. I will wait till I have an emergency supply of a commercial brew before I crack them open as to not ruin a potentially good night if things taste bad.