Light or temperature

No

 

Makes sense, good points - in a store this can obviously become an issue over time. In the fridge where the light turns out when the door is closed I'd imagine it's less of a factor

 

I always thought that light (sunlight specifically) was the biggest factor... but I guess enough of either is pretty destructive, eh?

 

I've also always thought it was light? Why a lot of ipas are being canned.

 

Yes.

While sunlight contains the critical wavelengths, some artifical lights contain some of the critical wavelengths and enough to cause skunking, so yes, lots of light from any ordinary source can cause skunking, and if exposed long enough, even in brown bottles.

 

I have asked this question to a cicerone and he says that temperature is a bigger factor than light is. He further emphasized the importance of storing beer at a constant temperature whether it is a drink fresh beer or a beer intentionally cellared.

 

3 weeks is pretty fresh IMO even if on the shelves...I have never had a 3 week old IPA taste stale regardless of how it was stored.

 

Good catch. Seems I got sidetracked with the other responses.

 

This is why Firestone Walker is the best ever. They put their rare beers in boxes. PARABOLA....BOOM. Another reason why it is the best.

 

Nope, From above:“Since about the 1960’s it’s been well established that the blue part of the visible light spectrum (~350-500nm) is the most efficient at generating lightstruck flavor, although ultraviolet light (below about 380nm) is capable of initiating this process as well. Brown glass bottles block light that is below about 500nm,…”

 

Brown bottles do have some transmission in the wavelengths of interest. Place a brown bottle of hoppy beer in the sun for a few days,a control bottle in the fridge. Chill the exposed bottle, then open both at the same time to see the difference.

 

Yep, indeed, except that the blockage by Brown glass is not totally either/or. It is better than the other colors. For example, the author of the referenced article goes onto say:

"So visible light between 400 and 500nm poses a problem for beer in green bottles, and brown bottles are roughly 4 times as protected at these wavelengths."

 

But you are only supposed to read up to the part that gets your point across, man!

 

You've spotted one of my failings.... I confess to being guilty of not doing that.

 

I'll take a cold can in a well lit area all day ery day

 

Light can have a bad effect on beer , most of the beer you buy on the shelf (in store)& Away from Sun-light should be fine !
just reach for a bottle in the back.!! Store your beer with a high ABV (+10%) in a cool closet (coat closet) will work just fine !
If you have room in your refrigerator , store upright on a shelf, ! The light will go out when you close the door..!!! There is one great thing About Canned beer (Sixpoint) ...Ect..The beer won't see ANY LIGHT , & it will taste fresh !!! When all beer is shipped it goes through many temperature changes, before hitting the shelf.!! Cheers....!!!

 

Temperature to answer your question, but age is the biggest factor on freshness for IPA'S

 

I stand corrected! Thanks!

 

Not to worry, it's not a simple situation and it took me a while to figure it out myself.

 

Cans in the fridge are the way to go.