Does Beer Go Bad?

Have you ever rummaged through your fridge for a nice, cold brewski and found that its expiration date has long passed? Is it safe to drink? And can beer truly even expire? After all, alcohol is supposed to age, right? Well, the answer is a bit complicated. Simply put: No, beer isn't going to go bad and become harmful like a few-month-old carton of open milk populated with bacteria.

Typically, drinking old beer that has been stored properly is perfectly safe because nothing harmful will grow due to its fermentation. However, expired beer usually doesn't taste very good. So, the expiration date is more of a guideline on when your drink will start to develop a -- frankly -- gross flavor.

However, if you want to take a chance with your taste buds, it's good to know that darker beers and beers with higher alcohol contents will taste better longer. Though, for a more enjoyable experience, it may be more worth it to simply run to the store and grab a new 6-pack.