how long does a bottle of beer keep?

[liontamer]

I have unopened beer bottles in my fridge and in my pantry. They are a few months old (about 3) should I trash them?

[mcctatas]

1. In my house they keep until the previous one is empty....

but here ya go:

Freshness period: The drinking window
The length of time it takes for a beer to become stale (a papery note, dulled hop character, or other off flavors) is determined by the alcoholic strength and hopping level of the beer. Both alcohol and hops help preserve beer. Thus hoppier, stronger beers keep for longer. Typically, the freshness period for a lager is four months; for stronger craft-brewed ales, five months. High-gravity, high-strength beers such as doppelbocks typically carry a six- to twelve-month freshness period. All of the preceding assumes proper handling of the beer.

How can you determine the "drinking window" of a beer? It depends on the dating system used by the brewery. Taking a typical example of Boston Beer's Samuel Adams brands, the freshness period is the time between shipment from the brewery and the freshness date, or "consume by" date, marked on the label or capsule. In the case of a beer with a "born on" date (Anheuser-Busch products, for example), the freshness period is approximately four months after the date on the label
:toast: :beer:

[liontamer]

2. ah an expiration date!

i just checked the bottle and I think i have till march. Eek! I better have a party soon.

[BrewerJohn]

3. Much depends on the handling history of the bottles

Once I came upon an outdated 6-pack of Fuller's ESB (a true treat of a
thoroughbred English ale) at a considerable markdown in my local
liquor store. The clerk basically gave it to me for free (I think I
had to pay bottle deposit and tax) because he felt guilty selling
me beer that was bound to be stale--it was a few months past the
"best-by" date. That sixer was totally delicious. Later, I bought
some bottles of the same beer that were well within date at the same
store. Those were definitely stale, a mere shell of the greatness
that is Fuller's.

Especially for imports, but applicable to all--rough handling, exposure
to light, and extreme temperature changes during shipping and storage
make a huge difference. Proceed with caution!

[liontamer]

4. that's a comfort

i got it from brooklyn breweries and I live in the city so at worst they had a rough car ride.