Expert: Ed Westemeier - 11/23/2008

Question
Hi Ed,

Just wondering how long refrigerated beer lasts in a half keg that uses Co2?  We just bought a Kegorator and was just wondering.  Thanks so much!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Julie

Answer
It depends on a few things but if we assume you have the gas pressure at the correct level (just enough to push out the beer without getting too much or too little CO2 dissolved in the beer), then it should be fine for at least a couple of months.

The "normal" expected shelf life of most beer is about six months from the time it goes into the keg at the brewery. You don't really know how long it sits around between then and the time you bought the keg, so about 2 or 3 months is generally a pretty safe bet.

Just a tip: It's usually best to turn off the CO2 tank except when you're actually serving the beer. That will keep the beer from absorbing too much gas and getting foamy.