How to find out if the beer has gone bad? Signs of a sour beer

Beer, like any other product, can go bad. This happens not only as a result of improper storage, but also for other reasons. Identifying a spoiled beverage is not difficult.

Why does beer go sour?

Beer can sour for several reasons. First of all, it is its contact with oxygen. The composition includes special microorganisms - yeast, which when exposed to air begin to multiply rapidly. This leads to souring.

Other causes of spoilage are:

1. The use of low-quality water during manufacturing.
2. Use of infected yeast.
3. Lack of proper and constant disinfection of apparatuses in production.
4. Presence of micro particles of malt and yeast in the air in the plant.
5. Dirty clothing of employees.

Today, even small breweries test every batch of beer in laboratories for quality control purposes.

Signs of tainted beer

You should immediately refuse to drink the product in the presence of such signs as:

1. A pronounced taste of alcohol. In addition, tainted product will have a bright smell of alcohol.
2. A sour taste with a slight rottenness is felt. They occur as a result of poor quality plugging of the product.
3. A rubbery aftertaste after a sip.
4. The presence of metallic notes. This is the surest sign of sour beer.
5. The taste of yeast. In this case, sediment and a large amount of foam are detected in the bottle.

It is better to refuse to drink the drink and in the presence of a "medical" taste and smell, when the product smells of medicines.

Can you drink sour beer?

Sour beer or a product with an expired shelf life should not be consumed. It leads to the signs of poisoning and the occurrence of serious consequences.

Symptoms of poisoning and first aid

Signs of intoxication are:

• nausea accompanied by vomiting;
• dehydration;
• weakness;
• increase in body temperature;
• drowsiness;
• lack of appetite;
• thirst and dryness of the skin.

If symptoms appear, the stomach should be flushed as soon as possible, and the victim should be given absorbents. It is important to replenish the large fluid loss. This requires plenty of drinking. Mineral water or weak tea are excellent. Drink small sips.

In case of severe condition it is necessary to call an ambulance.

How to store beer correctly

General recommendations

Beer should be stored correctly to prevent it from spoiling. The best place is the refrigerator.

Also to the general requirements include:

1. Bottles of beer are placed vertically, so that its contents do not touch the lid.
2. Store containers of alcohol in a dark place so that they are not exposed to sunlight. Sunlight destroys the structure of the drink and spoils it quickly.
3. The temperature of storage must be constant. Fluctuations and sudden changes in temperature have a detrimental effect on the quality and shelf life of the beer. In this case, for each type of beer a certain temperature regime should be observed. For strong - from 12 to 15 ° C, low-alcohol beer - from 7 to 10 ° C.
4. The shelf life depends on the type of drink. It varies from six months to five years. It is indicated on the packaging.

Important! It is worth considering that live beer should not be stored in the refrigerator. It undergoes active fermentation processes, and the lower temperature will kill the microorganisms. As a result, the beverage becomes unsuitable for drinking.

Draft

Such beer cannot be stored for a long time. If it was produced in industrial conditions, where all the necessary sanitary norms were observed, the shelf life may be slightly extended.

The thing is that draught beer is not stored in airtight conditions during sale. As a result, beer comes into contact with microorganisms in the air. After purchase it should not be left in the refrigerator for a long time. The shelf life is no more than three days.

Canned

A popular container for a beer drink is a tin can. Beer in them is stored vertically or horizontally in a dark, cold place.

Can it be frozen

It is not advisable to freeze a beer drink, as the bottles in which it is packaged are not intended for this. If the pressure increases, the container will burst.

In addition, frozen beer loses its taste qualities. Therefore, storing it in the freezer is not recommended.

Foam beverage has always been distinguished by the bright taste of hops and malt. But if stored improperly, it can spoil. It is strictly forbidden to consume it, as it can cause serious poisoning.