How to store beer at home comes down to four rules: keep it dark, keep it cool, keep the temperature steady, and stand bottles upright. Most beer, especially hoppy styles like IPAs, is at its best fresh, so for everyday drinking a refrigerator is the right place. Only a small group of strong, malty, sour or bottle conditioned beers benefit from long term storage, and for those a steady cellar or a dedicated beverage fridge set warmer than your kitchen fridge works well. Below we explain why light ruins beer, why beer stands up while wine lies down, what the experts say about cellar temperature, and which beers are worth aging.
How to store beer: keep it out of the light
Light is the fastest way to ruin a beer. When beer is exposed to ultraviolet and visible light, riboflavin in the beer reacts with isohumulones, the bitter compounds that come from hops, and the result is the “skunky” aroma known as lightstruck beer. According to the Wikipedia entry on beer bottles, brown glass gives some protection, while green and clear glass offer virtually no protection at all. Cans and kegs block light completely.
- Keep bottles in their case or carton until you chill them.
- Never store beer on a sunny windowsill, porch or patio shelf.
- Be careful with glass door fridges in bright rooms. Some beverage centers address this: Marvel’s listing for its 24 in. Essential Dual Zone Beverage Center says its Low-E coated, argon filled glass door protects contents from UV light. For a collection of clear or green bottles, a solid or UV rated door is the safer bet.
Store beer upright, not on its side
This is where beer and wine part ways. Wine lies down to keep the cork moist; most beer should stand up. The KegWorks cellaring guide explains that when a bottle lies on its side, the yeast cannot settle to the bottom and the beer is more prone to oxidation, and long contact with a cork can add cork flavors. Adam Avery of Avery Brewing, interviewed by Craft Beer and Brewing, says he stores upright because capped bottles do not need to be laid down.
The one exception: corked and caged bottles that you plan to age for months. VinePair notes that beer with a cork can do well on its side, which keeps the cork from drying out and helps hold carbonation, while any capped beer is best stored upright.
Beer storage temperature: what the experts say
Everyone agrees heat and big temperature swings are the enemy. Where sources differ is the exact target for aging, so here is what each one recommends.
| Source | Recommended storage temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Avery (Craft Beer and Brewing) | 40 to 45°F | Never warmer than 45°F or colder than 38°F; suggests a spare refrigerator |
| KegWorks | 50 to 55°F for most beers | Lighter beers 45 to 50°F, standard ales 50 to 55°F, strong beers 55 to 60°F |
| VinePair | 55 to 65°F, held steady | A steady warm spot beats repeated hot and cold swings |
Our practical read: if you are aging beer, pick a temperature in the 40s to the 50s and keep it steady. Colder slows aging; warmer speeds it up. For beer you plan to drink soon, normal refrigerator temperatures are fine. We cover serving set points by drink in best temperature for a beverage fridge.
How to store beer long term without a basement
A closet or interior room with no windows can work, as KegWorks notes, but a dedicated fridge gives you a steady, dark space at the temperature you choose. Avoid the top of the refrigerator, near radiators, the garage in summer, or a car trunk.
Which beers are worth cellaring
Most beer does not improve with age. KegWorks says hoppy pale ales and IPAs are best fresh and can lose aroma within a few months. Good aging candidates are bottle conditioned beers, beers of about 7 to 8 percent ABV or more, and sour beers. VinePair reproduces this aging chart from Randy Mosher’s book “Tasting Beer”:
| Style | Typical ABV | Suggested aging |
|---|---|---|
| Belgian dubbel | 6.5 to 7.5% | 1 to 3 years |
| Belgian tripel | 7.5 to 9.5% | 1 to 4 years |
| English or American strong or old ale | 7 to 9% | 1 to 5 years |
| Belgian strong dark ale | 8.5 to 11% | 2 to 12 years |
| Barley wine | 8.5 to 12% | 3 to 20 years |
| Imperial stout | 8.5 to 12% | 3 to 20 years |
Sour beers such as lambics are the exception to the high ABV rule: their wild yeasts and bacteria keep evolving even at lower strength.
Cellaring tips from a brewer
- Taste as you go. Avery suggests buying a case, drinking one bottle right away, and opening another every six months. If it starts to decline, drink the rest quickly.
- Label everything. Mark the purchase or bottling date on each bottle or shelf.
- Expect change, not magic. Avery says aging rarely creates new flavors; it lets harsh ones fade so others come forward.
Beer storage equipment we carry
| Unit | Type | Listed temperature range | Key specs | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel 24 in. Essential Beverage Center MRBV224 | Single zone, indoor or outdoor | 34 to 61°F | 5.1 cu ft, up to 154 cans, 115V 15A | $1,499 |
| Marvel 24 in. Essential Dual Zone MRBD224 | Dual zone, indoor or outdoor | 37 to 50°F upper, 50 to 61°F lower | 4.8 cu ft, 112 cans plus 18 bottles | $1,899 |
| Cal Flame Beer Tap Refrigerator BBQ09843B | Kegerator | Not listed | 6.0 cu ft, fits a keg up to 15 1/2 x 23 in., 115V | $1,259.99 |
| Marvel 24 in. Outdoor Single Tap Beer Dispenser | Outdoor kegerator | 34 to 60°F | 5.7 cu ft, holds up to 1 half barrel | $3,649 |
| Viking VCDE215 15 in. Direct Draw Cooler | Commercial kegerator | 34 to 60°F | One 1/6 barrel keg plus 10 lb CO2 tank | $4,287 |
The dual zone Marvel is a neat fit for a mixed collection: everyday lagers cold in the upper zone and cellar beers in the lower zone’s 50 to 61°F range. If you would rather pour from a keg, the Marvel Beer Single Tap Kit adds a tap, coupler and 5 lb CO2 tank to a compatible cabinet, and our draft beer too foamy guide covers keg temperature and pressure. See more on our Marvel brand page, browse our wine rack and cellar storage guide for racks and cellars, and for spirits see how to store liquor.
Frequently asked questions
Should beer be stored upright or on its side?
Upright for capped bottles and cans. Standing lets the yeast settle to the bottom, and KegWorks notes that bottles on their side are more prone to oxidation. Corked bottles meant for long aging can lie on their side.
Is it bad for beer to go from cold to warm?
A single trip home from the store is not a problem. What hurts beer is long exposure to heat and repeated swings between hot and cold, which VinePair says is worse than a steady warm spot.
What is the best beer storage temperature?
For drinking soon, refrigerator temperature. For aging, experts range from 40 to 45°F (Adam Avery) to 50 to 55°F (KegWorks) to 55 to 65°F (VinePair); the common thread is keeping it steady.
Can you age IPAs?
Generally no. Hop aroma fades within months, so drink IPAs and pale ales fresh and keep them cold.
Questions about a beverage center or kegerator for your beer? Call The Everything Depot at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight, and returns follow our return and refund policy.
