How To Store Leftover Beer (Is Opened Beer Still Good the Next Day?)

We’ve all done it at one point or another – you open a beer, get halfway through, and realize you’re not in the mood. It feels like a waste to pour it down the sink, so you just leave the rest to finish off tomorrow.

While day-old beer might not seem like the most appealing drink in the world, there are ways you can store your opened beer so it is still fine to drink the next day.

However, it’s important to store your leftover beer properly so it’s still enjoyable when you come back to it. So just how are you supposed to store leftover beer?

And is an opened beer still okay to drink the next day? Don’t worry – we’ve got all the answers right here.

In this handy guide, we’ll take you through the best ways you can store your leftover beer so you can drink it tomorrow.

We’ll also take a look at whether an opened beer is still fine to drink the next day, covering some dos and don’ts when it comes to drinking a day-old brew.

So let’s get right into it!

Can You Drink A Day-Old Beer?

The short answer is yes, but only if you follow our tips below. There have been many studies that show that beer does not go bad after opening for up to three days.

This means you could theoretically open a bottle of beer on Wednesday, and it will still be fine to drink when you finish work on Friday night.

However, this depends on how you store it. Without the proper storage, your open beer might develop some nasty bacteria that will make you sick if you drink it.

On top of that, you also want your beer to stay tasting nice and refreshing – again, this can only happen if you store it properly.

If you do decide to drink a day-old beer, then there are a couple of things you need to bear in mind.

First, did you seal it when you left it? Cans and bottles with a cap can’t be resealed properly once you open them.

This means that more air can get in, which is a great way for bacteria to start growing. It also means that things like dust and other particles in the air can drift into your brew.

Not only that, but an open beer will quickly lose its carbonation and you’ll end up with an unpleasantly flat drink.

If you have a bottle with a screw cap (or if you can reseal your beer in another way), then these issues can be avoided.

Another thing to think about is where you kept it.

The best place to keep an open beer is in the fridge; this will slow the growth of bacteria while also keeping your booze refreshingly cold.

If your beer was left out, especially if you’re in a hotter climate, then your beer can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Depending on how hot it gets, warm beer can even spoil more quickly than normal, meaning you’ll be in for a nasty surprise when you come back to finish it off.

In general, drinking a beer that has been open for a day or two won’t cause any major issues.

Chances are, it will be less pleasant than when it was first opened, but you don’t need to worry about getting food poisoning or being sick as a result of finishing an open beer the next day.

Of course, your beer will be the nicest when it’s freshly opened, but apart from possibly going flat or getting a bit warm, there won’t be anything to worry about.

However, if you’re planning on drinking leftover beer the next day, you need to make sure that you’ve stored it properly.

Speaking of which…

How To Store Your Leftover Beer Properly

If you plan on storing your beer overnight, then you should definitely put it in the fridge. This will slow down the growth of bacteria and ensure that your beer stays fresh longer.

If you’re pushed for space inside your fridge, then you can always use a cooler box instead. Just remember to keep it upright and avoid knocking it so your beer stays inside its container.

You might find that the beer picks up some taste of your fridge if you leave it uncovered, but this can be avoided if you seal the top.

The next step is to make sure that you seal the top of your beer tightly. This is easiest to do if your beer came in a screw-cap bottle, but otherwise, you’ll need to get a bit creative.

Cling wrap and aluminum foil are both great ways to make a temporary lid in a pinch – simply take a square and mold it tightly to the lid of your can or bottle.

Try to make the seal as tight as possible so air can’t get in. This step is important for a handful of reasons.

First, it will help to keep the carbonation inside your beer so it keeps its fizz.

It will also stop anything from falling into your beer before you get the chance to finish it, such as dust and any debris inside your fridge.

Finally, it will make sure that your beer doesn’t pick up any of the flavors or smells of the fridge itself – trust us, this is important!

Once you’ve sealed your beer, store it away from direct sunlight. While it may seem obvious, we want to stress that this isn’t just because it’s bad for your beer.

Sunlight can actually change the flavor of your beer, making it taste like something other than what you had intended.

That said, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a dark spot in your house where you can store your beer safely.

If you don’t have a fridge (or have no room inside), then a cupboard or something similar will help to keep your beer cool and dark.

Finally, you should always make sure to check your beer before finishing it off.

While there typically isn’t any risk involved with drinking a day-old beer, you should still check it before you drink it.

Give it a quick smell to see if there are any unusual odors, and look for any visible debris or sediment floating inside.

If your beer is in a can you won’t be able to see it properly, so consider pouring it into a glass first.

If you can’t see anything wrong with it, then you’re good to go!

Final Thoughts

The idea of drinking an open beer the next day can feel off-putting, but there really isn’t anything to worry about as long as you store it properly beforehand.

If you follow the tips in this article, then you shouldn’t have any issues when you go back to finish off your leftover drink.

So if you’re not able to finish off a beer and aren’t sure whether it will still be good the next day, don’t worry!

Just make sure to follow our instructions and you’ll have a delicious beer waiting for you to finish off tomorrow.

Cheers!

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Andrew Carr

Hi, I’m Andrew Carr and I find beer fascinating. Not just drinking it (although that is a plus!) but everything about it. There is so much to learn - the fermenting process, the best glasses for each type, recipes to make at home… The list goes on!

I have been making my own beer for almost a decade now and I pride myself on my home setup. I’ve made sours, pale IPAs, stouts - you name it, I’ve probably made it in the comfort of my own home.

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