Storage and Service of Beer

Question 1

When do beer flavors begin to change and evolve?

Answer 1

As soon as the beer is brewed.

Question 2

What are the four key considerations for proper beer storage?

Answer 2

• Time
• Temperature
• Oxygen
• Light

Question 3

In general, what is the best time drink a beer after it has been packaged?

Answer 3

Within 3-6 months.

Question 4

Will changes to beer happen faster if it is stored warmer or colder?

Answer 4

Warmer

Cold storage is almost always going to delay the aging process in a beer.

Question 5

What happens to a beer if stored at room temperature for a long period?

Answer 5

It loses its freshness and becomes stale more quickly than if stored cold.

Question 6

Below what temperature should most beer be stored, ideally?

Answer 6

46° F / 8° C

Unless the beer is purposely intended to be aged.

Question 7

At what temperature should beer designed for aging be stored?

Answer 7

Cellar temperature, or approximatley:
52-55° F / 11-13° C

This helps promote a gradual evolution of flavors.

Question 8

Why should beer be kept sealed in its container?

Answer 8

• To protect from oxygen.
• To maintain the carbonation.
• To preserve its aromas.

Question 9

How soon after opening should packaged beer be served?

Answer 9

Immediately

Question 10

How soon after tapping should traditional cask beer be served?

Answer 10

One to three days.

Question 11

How can light affect beer?

Answer 11

Light can react with hop-derived compounds, causing unpleasant aromas.

This is known as light-strike.

Question 12

What are the characteristics of light-strike in an affected beer?

Answer 12

Smell reminiscent of skunks, cat urine, or scorched hair.

Question 13

What is the best way to prevent light-strike?

Answer 13

Avoid exposure to sunlight or fluorescent lights.

Using opaque packaging is best.

Question 14

What are the light protection abilities of green, clear and brown glass bottles?

Answer 14

• Clear glass - almost none
• Green glass - little or no protection
• Brown glass - prevents almost all damaging wavelengths from reaching beer

Sealed boxes are best for green and clear bottled beer.

Question 15

How should beer sealed with crown caps be stored?

Answer 15

Standing upright.

Question 16

How should beers sealed with corks be stored?

Answer 16

Generally on their sides in order to keep the cork moist during periods of aging.

Question 17

How long should a bottle conditioned beer be stood upright before opening?

Answer 17

Approximatley 24 hours.

Question 18

Why should a bottle conditioned beer be stood upright before opening?

Answer 18

To allow sediment to settle to the bottom of the bottle.

Question 19

What types of beer are best for aging?

Answer 19

Beer with high alcohol, high acidity, as well as pronounced aroma and flavor intensity, such as imperial stout, geuze, barley wine.

Question 20

Packaging and shelf life

What is the ideal shelf-life for an unpastuerized beer in keg?

Answer 20

45-60 days from filling.

Question 21

Packaging and shelf life

What is the ideal shelf-life for a pasteurized beer in keg?

Answer 21

90-120 days from filling.

Question 22

Packaging and shelf life

If using a draft system, what is the gas most commonly used to push the beer?

Answer 22

Carbon dioxide

CO₂

Which not only helps to keep the beer carbonated, but also protects the beer from oxygen.

Question 23

Packaging and shelf life

What are casks?

Answer 23

Barrel-shaped containers, traditionally made from wood but today often made from stainless steel.

Question 24

Packaging and shelf life

What are casks used for?

Answer 24

For the maturation, storage and service of cask-conditioned beer.

Question 25

# Packaging and shelf life What is the ideal storage and service **temperature** for **cask**-conditioned beers?

Answer 25

Around 52-55°F / 11-13°C.

Question 26

# Packaging and shelf life What is **not used** when serving cask beer?

Answer 26

**Additional** carbon dioxide to push the beer. ## Footnote As such, care must be taken to protect the beer. Use up in 1-3 days.

Question 27

# Packaging and shelf life What is the ideal **range for service** (in time) of a cask beer?

Answer 27

**1-3 days** at most.

Question 28

# Packaging and shelf life What is the device used to replace poured beer in a **cask** with CO₂ called?

Answer 28

Cask breather ## Footnote This extends the shelf-life of the beer to about a week.

Question 29

# Packaging and shelf life How many **US ounces** is 250 mL?

Answer 29

8.5 fluid ounces

Question 30

# Packaging and shelf life How many **US ounces** is 750 mL?

Answer 30

25.4 fluid ounces

Question 31

# Packaging and shelf life What is the **optimal time frame** for consuming beer packaged in either glass bottles or aluminium cans?

Answer 31

Typically **3-6 months** is optimal, but the shelf-life can be as much as one year. ## Footnote All assumes proper storage!

Question 32

# Packaging and shelf life What is a **growler**?

Answer 32

A **refillable container** or jug, often between 32-64 US fluid ounces / 950-1890 mL.

Question 33

# Packaging and shelf life For beer poured directly to a growler from the tap, what is the **optimal** drinking / shelf-life period?

Answer 33

The beer should be consumed between **two to three days**. ## Footnote There is little to no protection from oxygen when poured this way.

Question 34

# Serving beer What is the effect of serving beer **very cold**?

Answer 34

Cooler temps **retain** more **carbonation**, and **flavors** are **muted**, which can emphasize any **bitter** or **acidic** tastes in the beer.

Question 35

# Serving beer What is the effect of serving beer at **warmer temps**?

Answer 35

* Carbonation **escapes** more quickly. * More **complexity** in aromas.

Question 36

# Serving beer What is the suggested service temperature for beer styles with **light** to **medium** aroma, **low** to **medium** alcohol?

Answer 36

37- 45°F | 3 - 7°C

Question 37

# Serving beer What is the suggested service temperature for beer styles with **medium** to **pronounced** aroma, **medium** to **high** alcohol?

Answer 37

45 - 54°F | 7 - 12°C

Question 38

# Serving beer What is the suggested service temperature for beer styles with **complex** to **pronounced** aroma, **high** to **very high** alcohol?

Answer 38

54 - 59°F | 12 - 15°C

Question 39

# Glassware Why is the **head** on a beer important?

Answer 39

Makes it **easier to detect** the aromas of the beer.

Question 40

# Glassware What is **critical** about glassware being used for beer service?

Answer 40

That is be **odorless** and **free** of any residues, detergents, or dish salts.

Question 41

# Common Faults Staling

Answer 41

* Staling is due to a series of **oxidation reactions** that take place over time, meaning the beer is in contact with oxygen (air). * The effect is aromas of paper or wet cardboard, as well as hop bitterness and aromas fading.

Question 42

# Common faults Light strike

Answer 42

* Light strike can occur in beer that has **not been protected from light**, particularly in clear and green bottles. * The effect is a skunky or cat urine-like aroma.

Question 43

# Common faults Bacterial infection

Answer 43

* Bacterial infection can produce undesirable aromas due to **poorly maintained** beer lines. * The effect of this can include aromas of vinegar and rancid butter notes.

Question 44

# Common faults What would the **cause** of aromas of paper or wet cardboard in a beer be from?

Answer 44

Staling

Question 45

# Common faults What would the **cause** of a skunky smell in a beer be from?

Answer 45

Light strike from the use of clear or green bottles.

Question 46

# Common faults What would be the **cause** of vinegar aromas in a beer be from?

Answer 46

Bacterial infection

Question 47

# Beer service What common styles of beer would you **gently roll the bottle** to reincorporate sediment before opening and serving?

Answer 47

Weissbier and Witbier ## Footnote These have a naturally cloudy or hazy look to them due to sediment.