Could it be possible that you’re not storing your booze correctly? Believe it or not, not all alcoholic beverages should be stored in the same manner. Improper storage will result in a foul flavor in your mouth, as well as the mouths of your visitors! So, from drinks dispensers to coolers, how exactly should you store alcoholic beverages?
Storing Wine at Home
Wine cellars are ideal for keeping wine, but money does not grow on trees! For many of us, creating a wine cellar isn’t a practical option, therefore what’s the next best alternative? There are two problems with wine storage. First and foremost, temperature – fine wines should be kept at a temperature of between four and eighteen degrees. Second, dry corks. No one wants to sense a cork in their drink!
Wines should be kept on their sides to keep the cork from drying out, and in a location that doesn’t experience significant temperature fluctuations. Forget about storing wine in the attic or near a window, as these are two locations that quickly become excessively heated. The average lifespan of a bottle of red or white wine is 5 days, and sparkling wine is 3 days in the refrigerator.
Storing Beer at Home
‘Why do I need to store beer?’
That’s a typical question because many supermarket beers are ready to drink. However, there’s a growing interest in craft brews, and believe it or not, many craft beers are best when aged — just like fine wine! Many of us are unsure how to store craft beer correctly, which is why it ages so well. Beer is not like wine when it comes to storage.
Unlike wine, beer should be kept upright. This is because the metal cap comes into touch with the liquid, resulting in a bad metallic flavor. Second, keeping upright prevents any dead yeast from floating to the surface, allowing you to avoid adding ‘bits’ into your glass when you come to drink it. Storing beer at temperatures between 7 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit keeps it fresh longer. The higher the alcohol content, the warmer the storage temperature should be.
Storing Liqueurs at Home
Whether you prefer store-bought liqueurs or DIY cocktails, both of these beverages have a distinct advantage over wine and beer: a higher alcohol concentration. Alcohol, as you know, is excellent at eliminating germs (that’s why it’s used in hand sanitizing gels). Wine, mead, sake, and other types of alcohol-containing beverages will keep for years if kept cool and dry. Anything with an alcohol content of around 15% or more should last a long time as long as it’s stored in cold, dry conditions.
Liqueurs, on the other hand, will not keep for an eternity. The reason is oxidation. Everything is done using closed pumps and filters when making wines or beers. It’s not simple to make alcoholic beverages with liqueurs, which are frequently infused with fruits. During the production process, oxygen will enter the bottle and destroy the liqueur over time. It’s best to keep liqueurs for a maximum of three years (maybe even five!).
Storing Spirits at Home
You’ll be relieved to learn that keeping spirits at home is simple. Even professionals agree that there’s nothing unusual you need to do. At room temperature, make sure to store spirits upright so they don’t acquire a metallic flavor from the cap. While corks may protect your wine from the elements, they won’t keep it safe from being stolen. Because UV rays aren’t just harmful to our skin – they can also be damaging to our spirits!
Spirits should last a long time if kept properly at home. It’s only after a bottle has been opened that you need to be more diligent. After 6 to 8 months, spirits begin to lose their luster, according to Ethan Kelley of New York’s Brandy Library. After the recommended 12-hour process, apple cider vinegar is still completely safe to consume. However, it might start to taste flat or have an odd flavor as a result of evaporation.
It’s easy to store alcohol!
When you see a great bargain on something you love, it’s easy to forget that there are some things in life more important than money. Don’t worry if you don’t have enough plums to make a lot of fruit liqueurs after your garden produces a lot of them. It is not nearly as difficult to store alcohol at home as you may believe. Remember that the key to storing a variety of alcoholic beverages is to keep them at an identical temperature as much as feasible, therefore naturally dark rooms are ideal.