What is bright beer and how long does it last?
To answer this question we have to start from the beginning.
At Thurstons Brewery, we produce cask and bottled conditioned beer. The condition we speak about is naturally produced carbonation (fizz) created by a secondary fermentation in either the cask or the bottle.
The term we use for these beers is ‘on yeast’. Yeast is a marvel in many ways, not least because without it we would not have beer (and many other things) but, at this stage of the cask or bottled beer production, it gives the beer a longer life, a protection that would take more than this page to explain.
Bright beer, is beer that is basically taken off of the settled yeast. There is nothing wrong with this, it is the same way you are served a pint in every pub that sells cask ale. But what it does mean is, just like your pint in the pub, the beer will lose its condition more readily.
At Thurstons Brewery, we have given careful consideration as to what this means for the beer (this is our main consideration, and while we think you are all great, beer is our main focus. Sorry!) We have tried a few methods of dispensing our bright beers, and have settled on the bag in box that we use now. This is because we believe it to be a good solution to the age old problem of how to serve that pub pint at home.
This being said, it is not perfect and does not replace the longevity of cans and bottles.
So how long does it last? My normal response to this is, it depends how quickly you drink it! All of those who know me will appreciate that if I’m drinking, it won’t be long. But seriously, there are a few factors to take into consideration.
1: The temperature that you store the beer at. This is best between 10-14°c.
2: The transportation of the beer. Much like a bottle of coke or tonic, if you shake it up or drop it, when you first open the beer it will be very lively. This is not really a problem and the first few pints will have a great head. Just bear in mind that just like the coke or tonic this means the rest of the beer will have less carbonation (fizz).
3: Again, just like the bottle of coke, as you consume the beer you create a space in the bag by which the carbonation can escape the beer. Although, the bag collapses as the beer is taken out, it still means the less beer in the bag, the more the beer will lose condition over time.
Put all of this together and what we think is this. Stored at the correct temperature and not shaken about, an unopened bag in box will last 7 days. Once opened, we recommend you consume the beer within 48 hours.
If you need help in doing this remember you will never be short of volunteers when it come to free beer.
Cheers
John