Beer Q&A: How long can you keep a brew?
Q. How long can you keep beer?
A. While this is a surprisingly complicated question, a simple rule of thumb can be applied to most beers:
Drink within 90 days of when it was bottled or canned. (The date should be printed on the label.)
For hop-forward beers — IPAs and some pales ales, say — even earlier would be better. Aim for 60 days or fewer.
Finally, barrel-aged beers with high alcohol content — 8% by volume or higher — can be aged for months, even years. Make sure they are cellared in a cool and dark place.
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