Hard seltzers like White Claw and Truly have become a popular choice of drink.
Not only are these drinks refreshing but they come with different fruity flavors that also have low carbs and calories. So what’s not to love about hard seltzers?
However, sometimes a hard seltzer can get pushed to the back of the fridge or left out overnight.
This made me start to wonder if hard seltzers go bad?
Generally, unopened hard seltzers do not expire or go bad regardless of whether the drink is left at room temperature or in the fridge. However, over time, the hard seltzer may lose carbonation so the drink may become less tasty.
So hard seltzers do not expire or go bad per se but hard seltzers can start to become less tasty or go flat over time.
The same rule applies to an opened can of hard seltzer:
Generally, opened hard seltzers do not expire or go bad regardless of whether the drink is left at room temperature or in the fridge. However, opened hard seltzers will quickly lose carbonation within 2 to 4 days so the hard seltzer will go flat and become less tasty very quickly.
Continue reading to learn more about hard seltzer expiration, storage tips, and other useful information about this drink.
Does Hard Seltzer Expire?
Hard seltzer manufacturers create a hard seltzer by mixing seltzer with a spirit base.
The manufacturing process for hard seltzer is similar to how beer is brewed by fermenting sugar water. While beer uses grain, hard seltzer uses actual sugar to create carbonation and alcohol.
After boiling, the hard seltzer is left to cool and then ferment. Within a few days, the starchy water then forms an alcoholic base that is flavored and carbonated which makes hard seltzer.
Hard seltzers may have an expiration date or a best enjoyed by date on the can. Keep in mind that the hard seltzer will not necessarily go bad or expire after the expiration date. The hard seltzer can still be safely consumed although the flavor may be less enjoyable.
Keep in mind that once oxygen enters the can that the hard seltzer will rapidly lose its flavor and fizz.
How To Tell if Hard Seltzer is Expired
Generally, the taste of expired hard seltzer will not be as pleasant as a fresh hard seltzer.
The best way to tell if a hard seltzer is expired or old is by checking the expiration date or best by date. Most manufacturers usually stamp the expiration date on the can or the box the hard seltzers are purchased in.
The expiration date is usually phrased “best by, before, if used by, and when used by.”
Additionally, if the hard seltzer can is leaking, rusted, bulging, or feels slightly empty then you should discard it. Do not drink a hard seltzer from a can that looks damaged in any way.
Can You Drink Expired Hard Seltzer?
Yes. Generally, there is nothing wrong with drinking an expired hard seltzer. However, keep in mind that the hard seltzer might not taste as good compared to a fresh hard seltzer.
If the expired hard seltzer has an off or unpleasant taste then you should not drink the rest of the hard seltzer.
Usually, an expired hard seltzer will have less fizz and may have less flavor but, overall, the drink will taste similar to a fresh hard seltzer.
If the flavor or the smell of the hard seltzer seems unpleasant then there may have been something that contaminated the drink so you should not drink this particular hard seltzer.
How Long Does Seltzer Last Once Opened?
Generally, hard seltzer can stay fresh for up to 9 months after the expiration date when stored properly.
Opened hard seltzers will stay fresh for 2-4 days after being opened. Afterward, the hard seltzer’s flavor and fizz will quickly fade making the hard seltzer less enjoyable to drink.
Hard seltzer quickly loses its flavor and becomes flat after opening it.
If the hard seltzer has an unpleasant odor, off-flavor, or appearance then you should discard this hard seltzer. If you want to finish an opened hard seltzer later then store the hard seltzer in the fridge to keep the drink as fresh as possible.
However, keep in mind that similar to sodas and other sparkling drinks, hard seltzers are carbonated meaning that once the lid is popped that the carbonation will start to dissipate.
As a result, the bubbles and fizz within the hard seltzer will start to fade away the longer the hard seltzer is left opened.
Does Hard Seltzer Need To Be Refrigerated?
Hard seltzer does not need to be refrigerated. However, refrigerating hard seltzer will help preserve the freshness of the hard seltzer and also make the drink more enjoyable. Opened hard seltzers should be kept in the fridge to extend the freshness of the drink for about 2-4 days after opening it.
Unopened hard seltzers can be stored at room temperature and can stay fresh for as long as 9 months past the expirations date listed on the package.
However, hard seltzers should be refrigerated or poured into a glass with ice in order to drink the seltzer cool. Warm hard seltzer is usually less pleasant to drink than cold hard seltzer.
If you plan to store the unopened hard seltzer at room temperature then find a cool dark area to store the drinks. Good locations are pantries, garages, and kitchen cabinets.
Avoid storing unopened hard seltzers in sunny or warm locations as this can reduce how long the hard seltzers will stay fresh.
Does Hard Seltzer Go Bad If They Get Warm?
Ideally, you should store hard seltzer at room temperature or keep it refrigerated, especially when opened. It’s also best you avoid storing hard seltzers near direct heat or light sources.
Although some people like their drink warm, carbonated drinks like hard seltzer are best when kept cold. Note that they contain carbonation that releases slower when the drink is cold as opposed to warm.
Hard seltzers do not go bad if they get warm. However, the hard seltzer may be less enjoyable and will lose carbonation faster when warm as opposed to cold.
So cold hard seltzers will be more enjoyable since the drink will have more fizz than warm hard seltzers.
Final Thoughts
Hard seltzers have become a popular drink since they come in a variety of flavors and have that enjoyable fizz.
Although hard seltzers do have expiration or best-by dates listed on the package or cans, hard seltzers do not necessarily go bad.
Generally, unopened hard seltzers do not expire or go bad regardless of whether the drink is left at room temperature or in the fridge. Opened hard seltzers also do not go bad but will lose carbonation and flavor quickly and should be enjoyed within 2 to 4 days of opening.
So really hard seltzers can be enjoyed at any point. However, fresh hard seltzers will have more flavor and fizz compared to older hard seltzers.
Overall, do not worry about the older hard seltzer you forgot about or have laying around. The drink will be safe to drink but it just may not be as enjoyable if the hard seltzer has been laying around for too long.
