Expert: John Snyder - 5/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: Do beers really expire? All beers though bottled or canned will have expiration dates printed on the body right?

ANSWER: Beer is subject to taste and aroma decline,after packaging.It's a normal aging process.Brewers put expiration dates on the packages,cans,bottles etc.to inform the consumer,that after this date the beer could begin to lose it's freshness,and aroma.There is nothing detrimental to one's health,if the product is consumed after that date.The number one factor that increases beer flavor decline is temperature.The warmer the temperature at which beer is stored,the faster the flavor decline.Extending the freshness of beer is best done by keeping it refrigerated.Some brewers put on a "born date"on their product.That is the date at which the beer was packaged.In that event,90 days from the "born"date,the beer freshness,will begin to stale.

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QUESTION: so you are saying the date i saw printed in the bottle of corona beer is the production date and should be given 90 days till we can say the product is expired?  Should they be putting the expiration date instead of the production date?

Answer
On the bottle of Corona if it specifically,stated it was the production date,or as Budweiser states"born date"then 90 days from that date is considered the expiration date.If you are not sure,which it is:a date on the package that's still in the future,is the expiration date.As to which date the Brewer uses is their choice,my preference is an expiration date.