Beer Storage

Did you know that packaged and draught beers are actually perishable food items? In other words, they have a limited shelf life.

To ensure highest quality product is being served, please follow these steps:

• Be sure to store packaged beer in a cool, dark place. (But not too cold – frozen beer takes on a cloudy appearance and shouldn’t be served.) In most cases, beer exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight will lose its flavour.
• Draught beer should always be refrigerated. Ideal temperature should be between 1 - 3°C (34-38°F).
• To avoid the problem of too much foam that can occur from agitation during transit, kegs should remain stationary 24 hours after you receive them. Store draught beer in a refrigerated walk-in cooler or a refrigerated cabinet immediately.
• Keep coolers running during non-business hours and shut down refrigeration for servicing only.
• Keep keg storage and dispensing area clean to prevent contaminating draught products.
• Stock rotation ensures fresh product. A good rule is first in, first out. Drivers do not rotate product.
• Product date codes list the date the product was brewed. Many domestic brewers use a code with a letter and two numbers. The letter represents the month and the two numbers represent the day of the month.

For example, a product brewed on February 3 would have the date code - B03. Note that 'I' is not used. Use this information to ensure stock is rotated and identify products that are beyond their shelf life.