Ever wondered why most beer bottles are made of dark glass? This perplexing thought has a logical reasoning to it, and is not merely a creative choice. The secret behind a great glass of beer not only depends on brewing, but also its preservation and storage. Anyone who has toured a brewery has noted the complexity, effort and creativity put into the process of making beer. It is a crying shame that many retailers ruin otherwise excellent beers by improper storage.
Beer is a naturally produced, ‘living’ product (like milk) and strict preservation and storage standards are essential to keep it fresh and flavorful. One of the most common factors affecting beer preservation is direct light exposure. Beer that has been exposed to excessive light may develop a certain ‘skunky’ odor. This is primarily caused due to certain chemical reactions that take place when light comes in contact with the hops present in beer, resulting in photochemical changes within it that emit this unpleasant skunked odor. Many breweries resort to using brown or green glass bottles as opposed to clear glass, in order to protect their beer from specific light wavelengths. However, that isn’t enough. Beer is prey to both direct sunlight and artificial forms of light, such as fluorescent lighting found in most retail stores and warehouses. It is best advisable to not purchase beer that has been stored in direct contact with any form of light.
