Drinking old beer
 

I've heard so many stories over the years about how bad 'Billy Beer' was that I'm actually contemplating sampling some. So many people kept the cans that they are available for a pittance on the internet. If, hypothetically, one wanted to buy some Billy Beer and drink it, would it still vaguely taste like the original product? From what I read it seems like it would be safe to drink, albeit stale. Just wondering if anyone else has performed this particular experiment? I mean it couldn't be any worse than Coors Light, could it :cool:

I've not tried it, but as long as you don't mind stale beer, why not try it?

A related question - does anyone know how long things like rum and whisky keep?

My German grandmother's (she lived in Australia since 1950) first reaction when the Gulf War started in 1992 was to dash out and buy booze, explaining that in war time money is worthless but booze can be traded for anything.

I still have the bottles. No-one in the family drinks the stuff.

Is it likely to keep indefinitely? Already off? The liquid levels in the bottles haven't dropped and obviously they've never been opened.

Audrey

Audrey, my understanding with whiskey in particular is that it can last a hell of a long time. Having said that, how it has been stored may be relevant.

You might want to read the thread at http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/452842

Unopened bottles of spirits will last indefinitely, as long as they haven't been exposed to extremely high temperatures.

PS: Your grandmother sounds awesome.

Air and light are the two things that usually make beer go bad. This is why beer stored in cans will, in theory, fare better over time than bottled beer (especially if you don't know how it's been kept). Some beers age particularly well, although these are usually stronger beers that have been bottle-conditioned (some yest left in at bottling). However it sounds like this 'Billy Beer' was utter shite to begin with, so I'd save your money and spend it on drugs and loose women.

I drink a reasonable amount of Paulaner (Hell!) from bottles and have a reasonable stock. Some time ago I opened a bottle of it from the fridge and it had the most wonderful depth of flavour and very tight creamy head/mousse. It was like a thick coffee crema and I looked at the label and it was around 18 months past it's date. I now keep sufficient stock of this to try and drink more of it after it's expired.

Hard liquors last a very long time, especially if the bottle is unopened. Extreme temperature swings and too much light might take a small toll though. The thing to understand is that they certainly do not get any better than the day they were bottled, however. Curiously that is not the case while they are still stored in their original casks and kegs, but as with everything volatile, there is a limit to what good can come of that as well.

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It's unlikely you'd fine Billy Beer in decent shape. Lesser Industrial beers don't age well - over a couple months and you'll get some unpleasantness. Higher alcohol beers can age quite well - 5 years is the oldest I've had, quite nice.

Liquor will last forever.

Thanks all - so I don't have to dash out and buy replacements, now that a fresh war seems to be starting.

:+>

Audrey

LOL, no, probably not. :D

Sir, I would like to shake your hand.

Funny, I read those comments the other day and realized he was kind of on to something - I already spend my money on drugs (wine) and women (my wife and daughter)!

I also would like to spend on wine, women and song. but the years have changed the Boolean operator to OR.:p

I have had 4 and 5 year old Belgian ales, and they developed some nice character.

There's a fantastic bar in Antwerp called Kulminator that specializes in aging Belgian beers. I was there one afternoon back around 2007 or so for somewhat of an extended session, and I recall trying older and older beers until finally I ordered a Kriek from 1976 (I remember this as it was the year my sister was born). I never got round to trying a beer that was older than me though...

Not in my house. :D

I had the misfortune to taste Billy Beer fresh. My father bought a sixpack when it first came out. He drank one. I drank one. My alcoholic brother-in-law drank the remaining 4 a good five years later. It was as bad as any cheap beer I drank in college. Nothing short of complete dehydration could improve it.

you can age guezes and barleywines 10 to 20 years, really.

conditioned bottles can keep longer than regular bottles.

If the beer is getting a lot of it's flavor and aroma profile from hops - 3 months max is the shelf life if not refrigerated. If you have big hops beers like India Pale Ales and Double India Pale Ales (like Pliny the Elder, Alpine Expo, Double Trouble, Hopslam, etc), they should be consumed soon after bottling as the hops fade fast.

I've had some domestic beers that were 9-12 months old and they were pretty bad... Can't even imagine how disgusting 35 yr old beer would be