Does beer go bad if it goes from cold back to hot?

Question

I have some bottled beer that was in the fridge and then was left outside overnight. Is this beer still good? It was never opened.

Answer 1

The beer is very likely good.  Drink some and determine for yourself.

The condition of skunk called "sunstruck beer" is a photochemical reaction. It will not occur in beers that are exposed to heat only UV light. If exposed to high heat (in excess of 100 F) for long periods of time the beer will develope off-flavors/aromas.  The faint smell of skunk is rare and different the the light-struck condition.

Light stuck beers occur when UV light penetrates a beers' glass container. The (energy) strikes a cyclic (a carbon ring) ring structure derieved from the hops. The ring opens up and a free radical is formed. A sulfer compound attches to the free radical producing a skunk-like aroma.

This is the bad boy:

3-methylbut-2-enyl thiol

A letter I found on the web sent from Miller Brewing.

In addition bottled beer exposed to sun or other light sources can undergo a slight photochemical change that sometimes can give the beer a skunky aroma, however, the beer would not get skunky. It would take approximately one minute for this change to take place. Cans provide the most protection from light, and generally product in amber bottles is LESS likely to suffer the effects of light than beer packaged in clear or green bottles. The exceptions are all Miller products that are sold in clear bottles. Miller's understanding and use of special hops enables us to produce a beer that is much more light stable. However, other subtle flavor changes can occur with exposure to too much light. So, keeping any bottled beer (clear or amber) out of direct sunlight helps preserve that just brewed flavor of our products.

Beer is most susceptible to light exposure in the 290 - 425 nanometer range. Amber glass does an excellent job of preventing light from reacting with product in this range.

Answer 2

i really wouldnt know cuz i dont drink alcohal

im only 14 ha ha ha ha ha

Answer 3

It will be good,it will just taste like a Heineken.Like a skunk.

Answer 4

It just loses some of its original flavor. Won't hurt you and anything tastes good if it is really warm outside. Give it a try.

Answer 5

No

Answer 6

it'll taste skunky, yuck

Answer 7

don't tell anyone.....most people won't notice that it is supposed to have lost a little bit of its original taste.

I've seen many people in the south do it!!!  no one has ever gotten sick much less died from it.

I'm not a beer drinker, myself.  But this is what my hubby told me.

Answer 8

It will have a "skunk" taste

Answer 9

how long have the beer being in the fridge???