Ginger Beer's Shelf Life: Does It Expire and Go Bad? (2024)

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Ginger beer—it’s a beverage that’s a must for co*cktail recipes like Moscow Mule and Dark N Stormy. But, unfortunately, it’s one refreshment that you’ll drink on its own.

Because of this, you forgot that you bought one bottle, and it’s now collecting dust at the back of your pantry—which you only found when you decided to create your favorite co*cktails.

Don’t be ashamed. We’ve all been there.

And that is why we’ll help you figure out the answer to this question: Does ginger beer expire and go bad?

Short answer:

Ginger beer doesn’t expire, but it can go bad in a different way.

What do we mean by this?

We’ll share more of what you need to know in the following few sections, so keep reading.

Here are some of the other topics that we’ll also talk about:

Table Of Contents

  1. What is Ginger Beer?
  2. Does Ginger Beer Go Bad?
  3. How Long Does Ginger Beer Last?
  4. How to Store Ginger Beer Correctly

Are you ready to know more about this drink? Then, let’s get this show on the road!

​​

What is Ginger Beer?

Because it has the word beer and it’s a common ingredient in co*cktails like the Moscow Mule and Dark N Stormy, most people think that this beverage contains alcohol.

Here’s The Surprising Truth:

Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic beverage that contains four ingredients: yeast, sugar, water, and prepared ginger spice.

It’s produced when all the ingredients undergo the natural fermentation process. The soft drink is then carbonated and bottled afterward. This beverage is characterized by a spicy, aromatic, and robust flavor.

Thanks to its flavor and carbonation, it has become a great addition to sparkling mocktails and co*cktails.

Instead of brewed, the commercial ginger beers that you’ll find today are manufactured and come with flavor and color additives.

The good news is most homebrewers still take the time to brew ginger beer using a colony of yeast and a bacteria (Lactobacillus) called the ginger beer plant. Because of this, most homebrewed ginger beers contain up to 0.5% alcohol.

Fun Fact:

Traditional ginger beer originated in England in the late 1800s. At that time, it contained alcohol–as much as 11% abv!

Does Ginger Beer Go Bad?

Ginger beer doesn’t expire.

But wait, why do the glass bottles have an expiration date or expiry date? That’s a good question.

The expiration date on the bottles is not an indication of safety but more of quality.

What do we mean by this? While ginger beer doesn’t expire, it can go bad in the sense that its quality will deteriorate over time due to oxidation and other chemical reactions.

How fast its quality declines will vary depending on two factors. These are as follows:

  • How well it’s stored
  • Whether it’s unopened or opened.

How Long Does Ginger Beer Last?

With that said, how long can you enjoy the original quality and taste of ginger beer?

With regards to unopened soft drinks, you can enjoy them at their best quality up until the printed expiration date. Additionally, unopened soft drinks are safe to be consumed for 6 to 9 months past the printed date.

On the other hand, the beverage will deteriorate faster once opened due to exposure to light and air. With that said, you can enjoy an opened bottle or can of ginger beer at its finest within 8 weeks—as long as it’s properly stored.

How to Store Ginger Beer Correctly

As implied, proper storage of ginger beer can help extend its shelf life and allow you to enjoy it at its peak quality for longer.

With that said, how should you store your ginger beer? Here are some of the tips that we’d like to share with you:

1. Keep it away from heat and light.

Oxidation and chemical reactions are the most common culprits of flavor and quality change in ginger beer.

Because of this, it’s highly recommended that you store the fermented beverage in a cool and dark place like your wine cellar (if you have one), kitchen cabinet, or pantry.

2. If it was refrigerated in the store, keep it refrigerated at home.

Always follow the storage conditions in the store where you bought it from. For example, if you got it from the shelves, it means you can store it at room temperature. But if it was refrigerated at the store, you need to keep it in your refrigerator at home as well.

3. When storing unopened soft drinks, make sure to re-cap the bottles tightly.

To prevent air exposure that causes oxidation and evaporation, it’s a must that you keep the bottles tightly sealed or re-capped.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ginger Beer

What are the benefits of ginger beer?

It hasn’t been established yet whether or not ginger beer has health benefits. However, ginger (which is the main component of soft drinks) has been associated with many health benefits. Here are some of them:

Fights off inflammation

Thanks to ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties, it reduces muscle pain and soreness over time. (*)

Helps with nausea
For many decades, ginger has been used for addressing nausea associated with morning and seasickness
Lower blood sugar
Ginger has also been linked to the reduction of blood sugar levels. In fact, studies showed that people with type 2 diabetes who took about 2g of ginger powder daily had seen a drop in their fasting blood sugar by 12%.

Is it safe to drink expired ginger beer?

As mentioned, the expiry date in the bottle is not a safety date and doesn’t indicate spoilage.

This means that it’s still perfectly safe to drink ginger beer even if it’s already past its expiry date. However, there’s a chance that the taste and quality might not be the same beyond the printed date.

What’s the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?

Many people think that ginger beer and ginger ale are the same. They are not.

While both drinks are non-alcoholic, they differ in taste. Ginger beer is more bubbly and has a stronger ginger flavor with a spicy finish, while ginger ale is sweeter and has a milder ginger flavor.

Can drinking ginger beer get you drunk?

Generally speaking, ginger beers don’t contain alcohol, so you won’t get drunk. But, on the other hand, the alcohol content in alcoholic ginger beer is not enough to get you drunk.

Word of Caution:

If you’re pregnant, you should talk with your doctor first before taking large amounts of ginger or drinking ginger beer…

The Bottom Line

So does ginger beer go bad? No, it can’t. However, its quality may significantly decline over time. Therefore, if you want to enjoy it at its finest quality, you should consume it before the printed date on the unopened bottle, and will remain safe within 8 weeks after it has been opened.

You can also extend its shelf life by storing it properly—away from light and heat and kept refrigerated and tightly re-capped once it has been opened.

What are you waiting for? Enjoy your ginger beer now, and make sure you store it the right way if you can’t finish them all yet.

Ginger Beer's Shelf Life: Does It Expire and Go Bad? (1)

Up Next: Storing Ginger: How To Tell If Ginger Has Gone Bad

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Ginger Beer's Shelf Life: Does It Expire and Go Bad? (2024)

FAQs

How long ginger beer lasts? ›

Allow the mix to ferment for at least 5 days – this is a minimum and extra time in the fermenter won't hurt it. You can leave it to ferment for up to 2 weeks without issue. The airlock should have stopped bubbling before bottling.

How long is ginger ale good after expiration date? ›

Carbonated soft drinks or sodas are not perishable, and are safe past the date stamped on the container. Eventually flavor and carbonation will decrease. For best quality, consume unopened diet sodas within 3 months after the date expires; regular sodas within 9 months.

Should ginger beer be refrigerated? ›

The 12oz ginger beer bottles, however, do not need to be kept refrigerated as they have been pasteurized. We do recommend that they are served ice cold though! Is it gluten-free?

How do you preserve ginger beer? ›

Allow the ginger beer to ferment in bottles for 2-7 days at room temperature, checking for carbonation daily. Once carbonated, transfer to the refrigerator for an additional two days to age. Consume within 4 weeks. Cold storage slows down fermentation activity, but does not stop it.

Can I use expired ginger beer? ›

Like regular alcoholic beer, ginger beer does not become dangerous when it expires, the quality just continues to decline. An unopened can of ginger beer will be good for up to 9 months if stored in a cool place. Heat will shorten this time period, so pay attention to where you're storing it.

What happens if you drink ginger beer everyday? ›

Moreover, ginger beer can promote good mental health. Its key ingredient, the ginger root, has been traditionally used to treat many mental problems such as memory loss, dementia, and even Alzheimer's disease. Ginger intake can greatly increase brain levels of important neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.

Does unopened ginger expire? ›

How long does ginger stay fresh? That depends whether it's fresh or ground, peeled or unpeeled, and where it's stored. Fresh, unpeeled ginger can last up to 3 months in the freezer, while ground ginger can last up to 2 years in the pantry.

Can you drink out of date canned beer 2 years? ›

A typical lager will be drinkable 6 – 24 months after its best before date, if it's been kept in the fridge. That timeframe tops out at 9 months if it hasn't been refrigerated, though. Some beers, like people, can actually improve with age.

Does Dry ginger have expiry date? ›

Ground, or powdered, spices typically have a shelf life of 2–3 years. Common examples include: powdered ginger.

How long does fermented ginger beer last? ›

When properly sealed in bottles, plain ginger beer can last for up to one month in the refrigerator. For best results, drink within 2 weeks of brewing.

Where should ginger beer be stored? ›

Storing a completed batch of ginger beer at room temperature can lead to explosions, especially if stored in a glass container. It's best to store this in swing-top bottles, in the fridge, which will slow/stop the fermenting. This is true of virtually every fermented non-alcoholic fermented beverage.

Should I peel ginger ginger beer? ›

Peel and grate the fresh ginger using a box grater. You want about 1/4 cup of grated ginger. Add the cream of tartar (1/2 teaspoon), lemon juice (1/4 cup), and ginger to a large pot. Add 4 cups of water, and bring the mixture to a full boil.

How do you prolong the shelf life of ginger? ›

Refrigerate fresh, whole, unpeeled ginger in an airtight plastic bag in the crisper drawer. The airtight bag keeps out oxygen and moisture, two things that will cause ginger to mold. Whole, unpeeled ginger root kept in this way in the fridge can last up to two months. Not too shabby!

Is ginger beer good for high blood pressure? ›

Regular beer, as well as ginger beer, have almost no high nutrient values. Then what makes one of them a better and more healthy drink? Both drinks can cause heart diseases, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, when consumed in excess.

How long does ginger last in alcohol? ›

Just peel and cut up the ginger, put it in a tupperware and cover it with vodka. It will keep in the fridge forever.

Is 1 year expired beer still good? ›

Short answer, no. Beer isn't like milk. With age, it doesn't actually expire or become unsafe to drink. Old beer's taste, however, will absolutely change.

What happens if you use expired beer? ›

Drinking expired or stale beer is totally harmless and non-toxic. The only problem is it's likely to smell off and taste flat – problems that stem from three factors: hops, light and oxygen.

How long is expired beer good for? ›

Most beers last beyond the printed expiration date on the package. When stored at room temperature, you can expect beer to last for six to nine months beyond the use-by date. Refrigeration increases this time period to up to two years.

Is ginger beer better for you than regular beer? ›

Ginger beer might have less calories than regular beer but contains high amounts of carbohydrates that will cause your blood sugars to spike, thus making regular beer the better choice.

What are the side effects of ginger beer? ›

Consuming ginger ale may cause bloating, burping, and increased gassiness. These effects are due to the carbonation and are common with any carbonated beverage. Diet ginger ale contains artificial sweeteners, which may be in the form of sugar alcohols.

Is ginger beer good for diabetics? ›

So, how can you enjoy ginger in your diabetes diet? First, keep in mind that you want to stick to the spice itself. That means processed drinks, like ginger ale and ginger beer, which contain loads of added sugar, are off limits.

What does expired ginger look like? ›

If it starts to look dull and brown, this means it's rotten. For unpeeled raw ginger, check the firmness. Ginger is quite firm to touch. If it feels soft and mushy, it's time to throw it out.

Can you drink out of date beer 4 years? ›

The short answer is that yes, beer expires. But saying the beer expires is a bit misleading, it doesn't actually become unsafe to drink, it just starts to taste unappealing or flat.

Can I drink beer thats 4 years old? ›

Yes—but its flavor will degrade over time. Beer is a perishable product that stales when it's exposed to light, oxygen, and heat, which degrade the organic compounds that make beer smell and taste great. But even when its flavor is declining, it can be perfectly safe to drink.

Can expired beer give you diarrhea? ›

Liquor does not expire to the point of causing sickness. It simply loses flavor — generally a year after being opened. Beer that goes bad — or flat — won't make you sick but may upset your stomach.

When should you throw out ginger? ›

Typically, rotten ginger will not smell as strongly of ginger and will be accompanied by a sharp unpleasant smell. Touch. Another reliable sign is a change in the texture. If raw ginger turns out to be soft or mushy, then toss it out.

Can you get food poisoning from old ginger? ›

Moldy ginger contains a powerful toxin named Safrole. Safrole is harmful to our liver and can cause cancer as well. Therefore, one should always avoid moldy or rotten ginger. Apart from this, old ginger can also cause upset stomachs or heartburn.

Does ginger drink expire? ›

Once opened, refrigerate and consume within one week. Once opened, if stored in an airtight container, uncrystallised ginger can last up to two years.

How long does bottle fermented beer last? ›

The flavor tends to keep improving for a month or two after bottling, stays steady for several months, and then starts to deteriorate and turn stale after about 12 months.

What is ginger beer good for? ›

For example, it can help prevent the symptoms of atherosclerosis, or heart disease. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help your body maintain a healthy, youthful appearance and help prevent disease. It is also a powerful anti-cancer agent.

Does ginger spoil if not refrigerated? ›

Ginger should only be left on the counter when it's whole and unpeeled. In a cool and dry spot, it'll last about a week before it starts to go bad. When refrigerated in a dry, sealable bag with the air squeezed out, unpeeled ginger will last a month; peeled or grated ginger, however, will only last two to three weeks.

Can you store ginger beer in plastic bottles? ›

Ginger beer creates a lot of pressure during the fermentation process. It is strongly advised to use plastic bottles, so you can feel and monitor the pressure. If using glass bottles, use flip-top bottles that will self-release.

Is ginger beer a probiotic? ›

Homebrewed ginger beer is a naturally fermented carbonated beverage that is flavored with ginger. Many people who make ginger beer at home, realized that it is a probiotic beverage which can aid in gastrointestinal health.

Is ginger beer good for diarrhea? ›

Ginger is a well-known natural treatment for diarrhea. It can help treat some of the causes of diarrhea and relieve gastrointestinal symptoms. Popular preparations that can be used as home remedies include ginger tea and ginger ale. Research increasingly points to the value of ginger as a natural diarrhea remedy.

Is ginger beer better warm or cold? ›

Turns out, the gas from the bubbles and the cold temperature are doing your stomach no favors. Warm, flat ginger ale is a better option — because, really, it's the ginger itself that helps.

How do you store ginger for a year? ›

Always store the ginger in a paper bag or paper towel and then store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Pack a chunk of ginger by wrapping it properly until there is no place left for it to get exposed to air and moisture. This way you will be able to store it for longer.

Can I freeze ginger without peeling? ›

You don't have to peel or chop the ginger first, but if the piece is large, or you know you will need pieces that are a specific size for cooking, it is best to cut the ginger up into smaller sections before freezing it.

Do you have to peel ginger? ›

Not really, but you may want to for aesthetic reasons. I like peeling ginger with the edge of a spoon. Young ginger has such thin skin, you don't need to peel it at all. Older ginger, like what we typically find in the grocery store, has more papery skin that you may want to peel.

What is the average blood pressure for a 70 year old? ›

Elderly blood pressure range for men and women

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) updated their guidelines in 2017 to recommend men and women who are 65 or older aim for a blood pressure lower than 130/80 mm Hg.

Is ginger beer full of sugar? ›

The average glass of ginger beer contains a whopping 38.5g of sugar - the equivalent of just over eight teaspoons - according to the research by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Open.

Can you take ginger with blood pressure medication? ›

Diabetes medications: Ginger may lower blood sugar. That can raise the risk of developing hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. High blood pressure medications: Ginger may lower blood pressure, raising the risk of low blood pressure or irregular heartbeat.

What does drinking ginger at night do? ›

Drinking it before bed can help calm down your stomach and promote sleep. Relieve sore throat. And also gives you that vitamin C to help with your cold. If you're feeling under the weather, a boost of vitamins and antioxidants from lemon juice and ginger will ease your symptoms and help you sleep easy.

Do ginger clean out your system? ›

Ginger is used in most detox programs due to its ability to “cleanse the body by stimulating digestion, circulation, and sweating. Its digestive actions may serve to cleanse the build-up of waste and toxins in the colon, liver, and other organs.”

Can ginger beer be drunk by itself? ›

Obviously, you can drink ginger beer on its own (it's extremely delicious), but it's definitely more fun to throw it in some cool co*cktails (or even mocktails!) Typically, ginger beer is consumed in Moscow Mules, which mix of ginger beer, liquor, and fruit or lime juice.

How long does ginger take to spoil? ›

How long does ginger stay fresh? That depends whether it's fresh or ground, peeled or unpeeled, and where it's stored. Fresh, unpeeled ginger can last up to 3 months in the freezer, while ground ginger can last up to 2 years in the pantry.

How long does ginger liqueur last after opening? ›

It should be noted that liqueurs — sweetened, distilled spirits with added flavors, such as fruit, spices, or herbs — will last up to 6 months after opening.

What does spoiled ginger look like? ›

You can tell ginger root has gone bad if it is dull yellow or brown inside and especially if it looks gray or has black rings on its flesh. Bad ginger is also dry and atrophied and can be either mushy or brittle.

What happens if you drink expired ginger tea? ›

Old tea may simply be less flavorful and fresh than new tea, and will brew up a weaker cup with a stale flavor. In this sense, tea doesn't actually have an “expiration date” after which it will be unsafe to drink.

How long is Fever Tree ginger beer good for? ›

Keep refrigerated after opening and consume within three days. Ingredients Carbonated Spring Water, Fructose, Ginger Root, Natural Ginger Flavoring with Other Natural Flavorings, Tartaric Acid, Ascorbic Acid.

Can you drink out of date beer 2 years? ›

A typical lager will be drinkable 6 – 24 months after its best before date, if it's been kept in the fridge.

Can you drink 3 year old beer? ›

Short answer, no. Beer isn't like milk. With age, it doesn't actually expire or become unsafe to drink. Old beer's taste, however, will absolutely change.

Does unopened liquor expire? ›

Does Liquor Expire? Unopened liquor has an indefinite shelf life. Opened liquor lasts about a year or two before it goes bad, meaning it starts losing its color and flavor. Don't use a liquor for well drinks if you won't use the whole bottle within two years.

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