Craft beer fans are a passionate bunch, and with good reason. With so many styles, flavours, and brewing techniques out there, it’s only natural to want to treat your beer right. One question that pops up a lot, especially from new fans of the craft scene, is this:
Can craft beer be stored at room temperature?
Let’s crack this open and get into the foamy details.
The Short Answer: Yes, But...
Technically, yes - you can store craft beer at room temperature. It won’t immediately turn into vinegar or unleash beer demons if left out of the fridge. But just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
Craft beer is a bit more delicate than the mass-produced lagers you’ll find stacked in supermarket aisles. It’s packed with flavour, often unfiltered, sometimes unpasteurised, and always brewed with care. And that means storage matters.
TL;DR: Room temperature won’t ruin your beer overnight, but long-term it can mess with the taste, aroma, and overall experience.
So, What Is Room Temperature?
Before we go further, let’s define what we mean by "room temperature".
Most people keep their homes somewhere between 18°C and 22°C (64°F–72°F). That’s fine for humans, not ideal for hops.
Over time, heat speeds up oxidation, a natural process that dulls flavours and introduces off-notes – think cardboard, sherry, or stale bread. Not exactly what the brewer had in mind.
How Temperature Affects Craft Beer
Here’s what happens when craft beer spends too long at room temperature:
-
Hop-forward beers lose their punch. Those juicy, citrusy aromas in a NEIPA? They fade fast in warm conditions.
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Oxidation increases. This causes stale, flat, and sweetish flavours – especially noticeable in IPAs and pale ales.
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Sediment can react. Some beers have live yeast or sediment that changes over time, especially in warmer conditions.
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Foam problems. Warmer beer can lead to excessive foaming when poured, disrupting the drinking experience.
Styles That Handle Room Temp Better
Not all craft beers are created equal when it comes to storage. Here’s a quick breakdown:
|
Style |
OK at Room Temp Short-Term? |
Best Stored Cold? |
|
IPA / Pale Ale |
🚫 Not ideal |
✅ Yes |
|
NEIPA / Hazy IPA |
🚫 Very sensitive |
✅ Always |
|
Pilsner / Lager |
😬 Can dull quickly |
✅ Yes |
|
Stout / Porter |
👍 Handles ok |
😊 Still better cold |
|
Barrel-Aged Beers |
👍 Often more stable |
Optional |
|
Sour Beers |
🚫 Can spoil or change |
✅ Yes |
So if you’re asking how to store craft beer – especially anything hop-forward – cold is best.
“But I Don’t Have Fridge Space…”
Totally fair. If you need to store your beers at room temp temporarily, here are some quick craft beer storage tips to reduce risk:
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Keep them in the dark. Light is a flavour killer (and causes skunking).
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Avoid temperature swings. Don’t move beer between hot/cold environments.
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Drink fresher styles quickly. IPAs and hazy beers should be enjoyed within weeks, not months.
-
Chill before serving. Even if stored warm, make sure you cool them down before drinking.
Long-Term Storage? Think Cool and Dark
If you're collecting bottles or buying in bulk, think of beer like you would wine: it wants a cool, consistent, dark environment.
The ideal long-term storage temperature for most craft beers? Around 10°C–13°C (50°F–55°F). That’s cellar territory. Don’t have a cellar? A closet near the floor on the north side of the house is better than your sunny kitchen counter.
Does Beer Go Bad at Room Temperature?
Not in a dangerous, make-you-sick way – but yes, in a quality sense. Especially after a few months. Some beers will taste noticeably different, flatter, or just “off” if stored too warm for too long.
So while your beer won’t expire like milk, it absolutely can degrade, especially if it’s hoppy, hazy, or delicate.
Final Sip
So, can craft beer be stored at room temperature? Sure. But should it be? Not if you care about taste.
The best way to store craft beer is cold, consistent, and out of the light. That way, you enjoy it exactly how the brewer intended – fresh, flavourful, and delicious.
Now, go make some space in the fridge.
