How long can you really keep beer?

[JDubb]

anything longer than 2 months is asking for trouble, beer's not going to get better

the beer you love, may be crappy in time

Good beer will cellar and will continue to improve just like wine. Yesterday I went to a beer tasting where I sampled a 16 year old Thomas Hardy Old Ale. We sampled the current release and the '93 I couldn't believe how good the '93 was. It was still full of coco, carmel, slate/minerality; probably the best beer I have ever had. The person running the tasting is a big wine guy and knows his shit. He said he would consider the '93 comparable to a Mouton Rothschild of the same age.

So, Pete was right the mass quantity beers like Miller, Bud, Coors, etc. do not have a long shelf life. Keeping is cold helps extend it. Sam Adams is better but still will not have the longevity of some of the great beers. That does not mean they have a bad product they are just not brewing their beers for long shelf life.

If you ever get a chance to try an old Thomas Hardy you must do so. Rather than a "born on" date they should have a warning not to consume for 5-25 years.

[Beckster]

I don't really drink beer. I usually have liquor, usually my cap't. When the beer turns around the house, I use it to wash my hair. Let me tell you that it works great, makes my hair smooth and shiny. Girlie, I know, but ... hey, it works to get rid of old beer.