Do alcoholic drinks get stronger over time?

Question

or is it just the taste that does?

A few years ago, I drank wine that was about two years beyond its 'sell by' date. It was very bitter, but apart from that, it completely knocked me flat. Wine is not best known for this.

Why did this happen?

Answer 1

Not if you live in the uk its like p###

Answer 2

Wine turns to vinegar eventually. But even better, best not to drink wine that has a "sell by" date as it is probably weak wine, just in CASE.

Answer 3

Increase in "strength" is probably not due to ethanol (alcohol). Ethanol oxidises to ethanal and ethanoic acid with time. I don't know if those substances are more likely to knock you out but other substances will also be formed over time. I'm thinking, "Why on earth did you drink it?"

Answer 4

Poison, I would guess. The other answer is right--->don't buy or drink wine with a 'sell by' date.

Are you certain this was wine and not a wine "cooler"...

Glad it sounds like it was a one time event.

Answer 5

i think its just wine. i heard that the older a wine gets, the stronger it gets.