Does a 2 Day Old Opened Growler Change in Perception of Beer?

[Brewmegoodbeer]

2 days ago, I filled a growler up straight from my kegerator for an event I attended. The 64 ounce growler was drank except for about 16 ounces of it. 2 days later, I finished off the last 16 ounces of the beer, while doing a side by side comparison of the same beer freshly poored my the keg. As I expected, the 2 day old, oxygen filled growler beer had lost a good bit of its aroma, but the flavor was still there. What I did notice is the growler beer tasted like a watered down version of the freshed keg beer. Flavor was almost the same but the percieved bitterness and "crispness" was just not the same as the fresh beer. Does oxydation take over in just 48 hours to change a beer? Although not carbonated like the fresh beer, I did not expect a change in overall perception of the beer excluding aroma. This just means that an opened growler must be drank the same day its opened to get the fullest quality. I ordered a 32oz growler on amazon so I can assure I can drink a whole growler during any event I bring it. (Left growler beer and right fresh beer from kegerator)

 

[Sailingeric]

Most likely the loss of carbonation with all the extra space and nothing to hold the pressure compared to the fresh growler/ right out of the bottle. Growlers are meant to be drank right away. Any longer, I would look at getting the beer in a bottle.

 

[Yooper]

Yep, once it's opened it deteriorates very fast. The same is true with wine- if you open a bottle of wine for dinner, by the next day it's pretty well oxidized and there is a huge loss of flavor and character. They sell "vacuvin" things, to vacuum out the air and place a stopper for wines, but it's still not a great way to save wine. Beer is the same way- oxygen contact will take away much of the hops flavor and aroma, and start to show oxidation by becoming a bit sweeter in the perception, sort of a sherry or brandy flavor. It will also be a bit darker, and gets darker with some age. It might still be "good", but not nearly the same beer that went into the growler and then was poured earlier.

 

[brick_haus]

What Yooper said.

 

[Bullshivit-brew]

Keep practicing you will be able to drink the whole 64oz in no time. Hahaha

 

[catdaddy66]

I notice a big drop in carbonation if I have to save the growler for the next day. I did that once, Johnny... Once! Lol

 

[SlitheryDee]

Sounds like a great excuse to make sure I finish every bottle I open.