Archive for the ‘howto’ tag
Life Beer
The Adverse Effect of Light & Heat on Beer
Recently I received an enquiry to our website, Beer Cartel, with the following question:
“Can a beer fridge that has got a white fluro tube in it, make the beer in glass go off?”
We sent the following reply and though it may be of interest to other readers.
The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that there are three big things that can alter the taste of beer, 1. Heat, 2. Light, 3. Time
There was a recent article in the 10th Issue of Beer and Brewer Magazine (Spring 2009) which discussed the science behind the effects of light in greater detail. We have included snippets of the article in the information below.
How does heat effect beer?
There is a good reason why brewers recommend beer is stored in a cool place. Heat can have a seriously adverse affect on beer and even a short stint in a really hot car in summer has been known to change the taste of beer for the worst. the taste of beer.
From Beer and Brewer magazine Issue 10:
“Heat will increase the oxidation rate of compounds in beer and produce a flavour and aroma that is often described as ‘wet paper’, ‘cardboard’ or ’sherry like’.”
How does light effect beer?
From Beer and Brewer magazine Issue 10:
“Exposure to light will produce offensive flavours and aromas that are described as ‘catty’, ’skunk-like’ or ‘lightstruck’.”
Try to limit light exposure of your beer – including florescent light. Yes, even the lights in the bottle shop, bar fridges and your home fridge can have adverse effects. When beer is exposed to light it can cause a chemical reaction which transforms the acids in the beer and makes sulfur present. The presence of this sulphur is what spoils the beer and gives it the ‘lightstruck’ characteristics.
The ultimate way to eliminate ‘lightstrike’ is to only drink keg beer as no light can penetrate a metal keg. In the absence of being able to drink beer from a keg try to buy beers which are in brown bottles as brown bottles allow less light penetration compared to green bottles and significantly less compared to clear glass bottles.
Beer cans also reduce the effect of light, however, the vast majority of boutique/craft breweries don’t use cans due to higher costs associated with the canning lines required (although these costs are reported to have come down in recent years) and the lower quality brand perceptions of beers which are canned.
How does time effect beer?
The majority of beers have a shelf life of around 9 – 12 months depending on how they are brewed and the style of beer. This is typically displayed by the ‘Best before date’ or ‘Use by’ date. Majority of beers are best consumed fresh, however, in saying this some beers are made with the purpose of cellaring and can be kept for a number of years. There are some beers in Belgium being sold at a pub called the Kulminator that are from the 1970’s! Stored correctly, the right beer can be kept for years, e.g. stouts, strong ales, tripel and dubbel beers. Australian brewer, The Little Brewing Company, based in Port Macquarie NSW make a Strong Abbey Ale (8% ABV) which has a shelf life of a few years, if stored under proper conditions, i.e. cool and dark.
A rule of thumb: lagers are usually better fresher while ales can be savoured at a later date.
Also remember that when storing beer it should be kept upright. Why? An upright beer allows the yeast to fall to the bottom, in comparison, a beer stored on its side can allow a yeast ring to be created. It also reduces the surface area of beer which is exposed to air and prevents the risk of the beer obtaining ‘off flavours’ from the cork or crown.
About the Author
Geoff is the co-owner of online beer store Beer Cartel. Beer Cartel specialises in the sale of boutique beer, beer gifts and beer experiences in Australia. Its aim is to create an online community of beer lovers interested in experiencing craft beer from Australia and around the world.
|
|
Caribbean Pirate Statue Holding Beer Life Size Statue 6FT Hand Painted – NEW $899.99 |
|
|
JACK DANIEL’S JACK LIVES HERE TENNESSEE BEER NEON SIGN $495.00 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer Personlized 40″ Billiard Pool Table Light / Lamp $494.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer 40″ Billiard Pool Table Stained Glass Light / Lamp – NEW $489.99 |
|
|
Swiss Scherenschnitte Paper Cutting Tree of Life by Ruth Stalder-Beer – Amazing! $424.15 |
|
|
STILL LIFE WITH BEER BOTTLE and FAN $399.00 |
|
|
2 Miller High Life Beer Padded Bar Stool with Back Set $379.99 |
|
|
VTG MILLER LITE BEER 3D OASIS HIGH LIFE CACTUS LIZARD PRO MOTION LIGHT BAR SIGN $377.77 |
|
|
ED7 MILLER BEER SIGN CLOCK LIGHT MOTION BOUNCING BALL HIGH LIFE BREWERY VINTAGE $349.99 |
|
|
Vintage Mint 5 Miller Surfboard Tap Handle Beer High Life Lite MGD Surf Neon 80s $349.99 |
|
|
MB MILLER BEER SIGN CLOCK LIGHTED MOTION BOUNCING BALL HIGH LIFE BREWERY VINTAGE $344.99 |
|
|
NIB MILLER HIGH LIFE BEER LADY TOAST IN MOTION POKER POOL TABLE LIGHT (2 PIECES) $319.99 |
|
|
F3 MILLER BEER SIGN CLOCK LIGHTED MOTION BOUNCING BALL HIGH LIFE BREWERY VINTAGE $299.99 |
|
|
New Miller High Life Beer Round Home Bar & Pub Table $294.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer set of six Mirrors Deer Fish Lot of 6 Wildlife Series $284.95 |
|
|
NEW **PAIR** Miller High Life Beer Bottle Stag Poker Pool Table Light Bar Sign * $277.77 |
|
|
N3 MILLER BEER SIGN LIGHT LIGHTED MOTION BOUNCING BALL HIGH LIFE BREWERY VINTAGE $269.99 |
|
|
HELLO DOLLY CAROL CHANNING LIVE THEATER POSTER CAST SIGNED ART mail pouch beer $249.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE GERMAN BAYERN FESTIVAL OF LIFE BEER STEIN $249.99 |
|
|
MILLER BEER SIGN CLOCK HIGH LIFE LIGHTED PENDULUM WALL CLOCK VINTAGE OLD BREWERY $249.99 |
|
|
High Life Game Room Bar Beer / Neon Light Sign $229.99 |
|
|
Live Nudes Game Room Bar Beer / Neon Light Sign $229.99 |
|
|
Live Nudes Game Room Bar Beer / Neon Sign $229.99 |
|
|
High Life Game Room Bar Beer / Neon Sign $229.99 |
|
|
NIB Miller High Life Beer Lady Toast In Motion Poker Pool Table Light Bar Sign 7 $227.77 |
|
|
MILLER HIGH LIFE NEON BEER BAR SIGN GIRL ON MOON LIGHT $225.00 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer 3 Shade Billiard Pool Table Lamp $224.95 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer Sign 50s Vtg Milwaukee Braves Original ! Very Rare Brewers $220.77 |
|
|
CJ5 MILLER BEER SIGN MIRROR HIGH LIFE GIRL IN THE MOON 91 BAR TAVERN BREWERY BIG $219.99 |
|
|
MC1 MILLER BEER SIGN CLOCK HIGH LIFE LIGHTED WALL CLOCK VINTAGE OLD BREWERY $219.99 |
|
|
The Stein of Life LE German Beer Stein .75L Handcrafted in Germany $209.98 |
|
|
Vintage Miller High Life Cash Register 1950’s Beer Sign $200.00 |
|
|
Pacifico Life Preserver LED Sign beer bar light mexico cerveza Neo Neon guard $199.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer Neon Bar Light Sign Vintage Style NEW! USA MADE AUTHENTIC $199.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer Padded Metal Bar Stool with Back $199.99 |
|
|
Awesome HUGE Miller High Life Racing Beer Mirror Jermey Mayfield #64 NASCAR L@@K $199.99 |
|
|
NEW PROMOTIONAL Miller High Life beer Dartboard DARTS,Chalkboards,chalk,eraser $199.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Neon sign Beer Bar Keg Light Tap Game room Man Cave lite mgd $199.99 |
|
|
NEW NOS Miller High Life Beer Lady Woman Poker Pool Table Light Bar Pub Sign WOW $197.77 |
|
|
Huge Miller High Life Beer Mirror Sign New In Box Nice $180.00 |
|
|
Miller High Life illuminated sign, plastic,3 beer bottles, Lakeside Plastics,old $175.70 |
|
|
DY4 MILLER BEER SIGN MIRROR ADVERTISING HIGH LIFE RARE OLD 1952 BAR TAVERN PUB $167.99 |
|
|
Vintage 1960’s Miller High Life Bouncing Lights/ electric Motion Beer Sign $159.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer 3 Shade Billiard Hanging Lamp Game Room / Bar Light – New $157.99 |
|
|
ORIGINAL VTG 1970S 70S MILLER HIGH LIFE BEER THE CHAMPAGNE OF BEERS T- SHIRT L $150.00 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer,Lighted Barrel Sign,Vintage,L@@K! $150.00 |
|
|
Miller High Life Girl in the Moon Padded Bar Stool with Back Beer Man Cave Pub $149.99 |
|
|
LIVE NUDES SEXY NAKED GIRL Adult Strip Club Party BEER BAR REAL NEON LIGHT SIGN $149.99 |
|
|
New Miller High Life Beer Padded Metal Home Bar Stool $149.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer LED Promotional Bar Pub Light Sign NEW USA MADE! $149.99 |
|
|
Schmidt Beer Cans Wild Life Steel Set of 21 Top Opened $149.99 |
|
|
Vintage Miller High Life Beer Cash Register Sign works Lights Up Complete 1950 $149.99 |
|
|
60″ 3 shade Billard style lamps with Beer Logos/ Choice $149.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer Moon Girl Padded Metal Bar Stool $149.95 |
|
|
VINTAGE 30’s – 40’s MILLER HIGH LIFE BEER TRAY LADY GIRL ON THE MOON $149.00 |
|
|
NIB NOS Miller High Life Beer Bottle Stag Motion Poker Pool Table Light Bar Sign $147.77 |
|
|
MILLER HIGH LIFE BEER SIGN LED OPTI NEON LOGO BAR PUB MILWAUKEE WI EXCELLENT!!!! $139.99 |
|
|
Nostalgic MILLER HIGH LIFE Beer Advertising Globe Reprod – UNIQUE! $138.99 |
|
|
DO5 MILLER BEER SIGN 70′ HIGH LIFE VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE BREWERY BAR TAVERN PUB OLD $129.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Girl in the Moon Vintage logo Bar Stool Stars Black Red Beer $129.99 |
|
|
EC1 NEW MILLER BEER SIGN LIGHTED CLOCK HIGH LIFE NOS BAR VINTAGE LIGHT BREWERY $129.99 |
|
|
M823 MILLER BEER SIGN MIRROR HIGH LIFE GIRL IN THE MOON BAR TAVERN PUB CHAMPAGNE $129.99 |
|
|
NEW JACK DANIELS LIVES HERE KENTUCKY WHISKEY REAL NEON LIGHT BEER BAR PUB SIGN $129.99 |
|
|
1977 MILLER HIGH LIFE BEER ICE CUBES 63″ X 15″ BAR LIGHT SIGN METAL PLASTIC GOOD $129.98 |
|
|
Miller High Life Neon Wall Clock – Beer Light- Bar Sign $129.95 |
|
|
Miller HIGH LIFE Logo Beer Bar Pub Neon Light Sign K37 $124.99 |
|
|
MILLER HIGH LIFE Great American Achievements BEER STEIN Numbered SERIES $124.99 |
|
|
1930s Die Cut Cardboard Adv Sign Miller High Life Beer Woman Seated on Moon $124.95 |
|
|
CJ7 MILLER BEER SIGN MIRROR HIGH LIFE GIRL IN THE MOON WOOD FRAMED BAR DISPLAY $119.99 |
|
|
EB8 NEW MILLER BEER SIGN LIGHTED CLOCK HIGH LIFE NOS BAR VINTAGE LIGHT BREWERY $119.99 |
|
|
C5 MILLER BEER SIGN HIGH LIFE MIRROR BAR TIMBER WOLF 1ST 3 SERIES WILDLIFE OLD $119.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer 14-inch Neon Light Wall Clock Dual Ring $116.99 |
|
|
Milller High Life Beer Bottle Can Bar Room Mirror Wall Hanging Sign $116.99 |
|
|
William Blake: A Literary Life NEW by John Beer $115.34 |
|
|
EE5 MILLER BEER SIGN MIRROR HIGH LIFE GIRL IN THE MOON BAR TAVERN PUB CHAMPAGNE $109.99 |
|
|
30-73313 MTH Train Modern Tank Car Miller High Life Beer O Scale $109.99 |
|
|
D5 STROH’S BEER SIGN BAR SIGNS LIFE RING SHIPS BELL AND PLUMP NAUTICAL BOAT SHIP $109.99 |
|
|
EP4 MILLER BEER SIGN HIGH LIFE MIRROR FISIHING MUSKIE FISH SPORTSMENS SERIES 1ST $109.99 |
|
|
Vintage Miller High Life Beer Clock NIP Welcome To Miller Time $109.25 |
|
|
MILLER HIGH LIFE GAS PUMP GLOBE SIGN BEER ADV SIGNS M $109.00 |
|
|
LGB G SCALE WOOD BOX CAR “MILLER HIGH LIFE” BEER $107.99 |
|
|
M6 MILLER BEER SIGN HIGH LIFE MIRROR BAR TIMBER WOLF 1ST 3 SERIES WILDLIFE OLD $104.99 |
|
|
ANTIQUE VINTAGE MILLER HIGH LIFE BEER LIGHT CLOCK BAR SIGN RARE AND NEAT $102.50 |
|
|
Vintage Miller High Life Clock Beer Pub Advertising Breweriana, Girl in the Moon $100.00 |
|
|
VTG MILLER HIGH LIFE BACK BAR BEER SIGN LIGHTED-CABIN WINDOW SCENE-SPORT BAR $100.00 |
|
|
MILLER HIGH LIFE TAP HANDLE KEG MARKER & 4 BEER PINT GLASSES & BAR COASTERS NEW $99.99 |
|
|
JACK DANIEL’S JACK LIVES HERE KUNTUCKY BEER BAR PUB NEON LIGHT SIGN $99.99 |
|
|
Vintage Neon Miller High Life Beer Advertising Sign Parts or Restore $99.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE MILLER HIGH LIFE LIGHTED BEER SIGN/CLOCK/MINT CONDITION!!28″TALL X 9″W $99.99 |
|
|
1975 LONE STAR Beer Long LIve LONGNECKS T-shirt Armadillo JIM Franklin vtg 80s S $99.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE MILLER HIGH LIFE LIGHTED BEER BOTTLE IN BUCKET DISPLAY/NEW IN BOX!!!! $99.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Beer Neon Clock – New – TM $99.99 |
|
|
Miller High Life Moon Girl Beer Neon Clock – New – TM $99.99 |
|
|
JACK DANIEL’S JACK LIVES HERE TENNESSEE BEER BAR PUB NEON LIGHT SIGN $99.99 |
|
|
DEATHWISH 12oz MILLER LOW LIFE BEER CRUISER COMPLETE SKATEBOARD NEW $99.95 |
|
|
Vintage Miller high life advertising neon beer sign 1979 $99.00 |
|
|
70s MILLER HIGH LIFE BEER ALLOVER PRINT VINTAGE T-SHIRT $99.00 |
|
|
Very Cool! Vintage 1970’s Miller High Life Beer Sign $99.00 |
|
|
EP2 MILLER BEER SIGN HIGH LIFE BAR MIRROR NOS PHEASANT SPORTSMENS’ SERIES 1ST $98.99 |
|
|
EP3 MILLER BEER SIGN HIGH LIFE BAR MIRROR NOS DUCK BIRD SPORTSMENS’ SERIES 1ST $98.99 |
|
|
DCI XL Glass Extra large wine glass holds a whole bottle of wine…. |
|
|
Wine Skin Leak Proof Traveler (Set of 2) $6.97 Just because you can no longer protect a bottle of wine by carrying it onboard, it doesn’t mean you can’t take one along to share with the hostess. Just slip it inside this tough, bubble wrap lined bag. Double peel-and-stick seals and a durable, puncture-resistant shell protect in the unlikely event your bottle is broken. Holds a 750 ml bottle of wine or spirits (Includes Bordeaux & Burgundy Bottl… |
|
|
Lifefactory Glass Beverage Bottle Lifefactory creates innovative, non-toxic products that make it easy to lead a healthy and eco-conscious lifestyle. They fuse modern sensibility, eco-friendly composition, and exceptional utility to produce a glass beverage bottle that is free of known harmful chemicals such as BPA, phthalate, PVC, and polycarbonate. All materials are FDA approved. The unique patent pending silicone sleeve is free… |
|
|
Live Aid (4 Disc Set) $27.35 Billed as “the day music changed history,” the Live Aid concerts of July 13, 1985, were held to raise money to fight the horrifying famines sweeping Africa. The brainchild of Bob Geldof and representing the efforts of countless musicians and technicians, Live Aid was a genuine and inspiring effort to help the victims of an overwhelming calamity. Twenty years after the twin concerts (one in London,… |
|
|
Justin Moore $7.87 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
Live At The Cafe Au Go-Go (And Soledad Prison) $4.90 Simply one of the greatest live blues recordings ever. Hooker plays alone at Soledad, yet the real thrill is hearing him backed at Greenwich Village’s Café Au-Go-Go in 1966 by Muddy Waters and his band, including pianist Otis Spann, unsung harmonica giant George Smith, Francis Clay on drums, and guitarists Sammy Lawhorn and Luther Johnson. All are at the height of their abilities, but it’s Hooker… |
|
|
Hi Life [VHS] $6.98 Roger Hedden’s charming romantic comedy works where so many like ensemble projects fail–on the strength of its amiable characters. The simple but clever plot, which involves a gambling debt, a bartender collecting overdue IOUs, and a tangled web of lies, sets in motion the trajectories of a dozen or so characters wandering the streets of New York one chilly December night. Against this backdrop t… |