Drinking boxed wine after the expiration date

[sapien]

Don't know if this is the right forum, but today I bought my first box of wine (Almaden Mountain White Zinfandel) and I was just about to sit down and drink some when I noticed it says: "This wine is best when it is consumed before August 18,2009." My question: Would it be fine for me to imbibe some if it still tastes good (God willing)? I mean, I'm not gonna get sick or die, am I? :-/

 

[Rex]

You'll be fine. I ate eggs that were way past the expiration date and they tasted just fine and I didn't get sick.

 

[bounder]

You stay classy

 

[TriBi]

The only thing that is likely to happen to wine if it is left too long is that it could turn into vinegar.

Note also this is a 'best before' date and not a 'must be consumed by' date.

Taste it - if it seems palatable - no problem.

 

[NedNickerson]

I didn't know wine could "expire." I thought it was supposed to get better with age...

Most expiration dates are "best used by" dates. The products don't automatically go bad past the expiration dates. They sometimes just don't taste as fresh...

But I think you'll be fine with the wine. Don't try to drink it all at once, thinking you need to finish it before it goes bad. I believe you could hold on to it for years and still be all right.

Also, I don't know the circumstances of how you bought a box of wine, but unless it was on sale at a liquor store for that reason, to clear out stock, couldn't you take it back and explain that it was "expired?"

 

[hotatlboi]

I didn't know wine could "expire." I thought it was supposed to get better with age...

Depends on the quality of the wine. Most cheap wines are intended to be consumed rather quickly but will still last for at least 5 years or longer in most cases.

Expensive wine can last for decades.

 

[sapien]

Well, bounder, I have a hard time falling asleep (even more than ever lately), but I find that if I drink some form of alcohol (enough to give me a buzz), it's easier to drift to sleep. So I've been experimenting with various types (i.e. different wines, margaritas, hard lemonade, beer) and tonight I thought I'd try the boxed wine... Why am I evenexplaining myself to you?!

JK.

Thanks for your help/advice TriBi and Sultan. I'm gonna be brave and try some, but if I die it'll be your funeral! Actually, it'll be mine, but I'll come back and haunt both your asses!!!

Jk.

Sorry, I'm feeling feisty tonight. Thanks for all your help, guys.

 

[sapien]

Also, I don't know the circumstances of how you bought a box of wine, but unless it was on sale at a liquor store for that reason, to clear out stock, couldn't you take it back and explain that it was "expired?"

It's too late now. It's almost 2AM and the package store closes at 10PM. It was rather cheap (considering it's boxed), but I think I'm gonna go ahead and try some. If it's bad, then I'm gonna take it back tomorrow and maybe I'll get some sort of refund.

Thanks for all your help, guys!

 

[CGHJ]

Oh shit, I hadn't even considered this.

I have boxed wine as part of my "Emergency Preparedness Kit". Here in earthquake country, it's very possible that in the next 30 seconds after I type this everything I own will be shaken to bits. I have food, water, and a box of wine so I can eat, drink, and get smashed while waiting for the power to come back on.

It never occurred to me that that wine could go bad...I guess I'd better drink it and get a fresh box!

 

[NedNickerson]

When I lived in Washington, D.C. back during the early 80's, one of my friends from work used to visit occasionally and I always kept Rolling Rock Extra Pale beer in my apartment, because that's what he liked to drink.

When I moved back to Memphis in 1983, I had a bottle left over. I packed it up with everything else, and brought it back with me. I didn't drink it right away, but put it on a bookshelf in my bedroom.

I still have it - a 26-year-old bottle of Rolling Rock Extra Pale beer. I don't know if it would be safe to drink now, or what it would taste like.

I looked on the label and it says:

"Contains no additives or preservatives. Brewed from water, malt, rice, corn, hops, brewer's yeast"

It's in a green bottle but when I hold it up to the light it appears to be a cloudy pale brown. I'm not sure what it's supposed to look like, unless I were to go out and buy a six pack of Rolling Rock beer and compare it. I don't see any sediment or anything unusual about it.

Here's a picture I found online:

Green bottle, brown beer...

I wonder if it would be safe to finally drink it? Or maybe I should offer it on eBay, since there's probably someone who buys things like this.

I don't have any proof that it's 26 years, but I know that it is that old because I've had it since 1983. There are a few numbers on the bottle - one set on the label, another set on the bottom of the bottle molded into the glass, the number 33. Maybe that would help determining if I have something of value, or as TriBi said, just a bottle of 26-year-old "vinegar..."

or maybe a really great-tasting beer...

==============================

Update:
I just checked Wikipedia, which explains the number 33 on the bottom of the bottle:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Rock#Number_33

The article also says Rolling Rock has painted on labels, rather than glued-on labels.

Mine doesn't. It has a glued-on paper label.

So, maybe I do have something of value!

Another update:
I just fired off an email to Rolling Rock asking them if the beer was safe to drink or if I should throw it away...
I'll let you know what reply I get. This should be interesting...!

 

[SonOfSlobone]

I don't think you have anything to worry about, boxed wine won't taste worse after the expiration date...

 

[TriBi]

Beer usually does have a 'drink by' date - and it certainly wouldn't be 26 years!

Most beers are made to be consumed within a reasonably brief period of time.

 

[wirega56]

Welcome to Château cardboard (Goon), most casks or boxes are palatable here in the land of OZ but some are not even before the expiry date though the desired effect hasn't diminished.You down that first first glass quick to kill the taste buds. Some producers have their bad moments and pass this onto consumers. This even exists with the more up market casks. Avoid Chilean cheap reds

 

[wirega56]

When I lived in Washington, D.C. back during the early 80's, one of my friends from work used to visit occasionally and I always kept Rolling Rock Extra Pale beer in my apartment, because that's what he liked to drink.

When I moved back to Memphis in 1983, I had a bottle left over. I packed it up with everything else, and brought it back with me. I didn't drink it right away, but put it on a bookshelf in my bedroom.

I still have it - a 26-year-old bottle of Rolling Rock Extra Pale beer. I don't know if it would be safe to drink now, or what it would taste like.

I looked on the label and it says:

"Contains no additives or preservatives. Brewed from water, malt, rice, corn, hops, brewer's yeast"

It's in a green bottle but when I hold it up to the light it appears to be a cloudy pale brown. I'm not sure what it's supposed to look like, unless I were to go out and buy a six pack of Rolling Rock beer and compare it. I don't see any sediment or anything unusual about it.

Here's a picture I found online:

Green bottle, brown beer...

I wonder if it would be safe to finally drink it? Or maybe I should offer it on eBay, since there's probably someone who buys things like this.

I don't have any proof that it's 26 years, but I know that it is that old because I've had it since 1983. There are a few numbers on the bottle - one set on the label, another set on the bottom of the bottle molded into the glass, the number 33. Maybe that would help determining if I have something of value, or as TriBi said, just a bottle of 26-year-old "vinegar..."

or maybe a really great-tasting beer...

==============================

Update:
I just checked Wikipedia, which explains the number 33 on the bottom of the bottle:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Rock#Number_33

The article also says Rolling Rock has painted on labels, rather than glued-on labels.

Mine doesn't. It has a glued-on paper label.

So, maybe I do have something of value!

Another update:
I just fired off an email to Rolling Rock asking them if the beer was safe to drink or if I should throw it away...
I'll let you know what reply I get. This should be interesting...!

Ebay it for a collector

 

[biguy732]

Well, bounder, I have a hard time falling asleep (even more than ever lately), but I find that if I drink some form of alcohol (enough to give me a buzz), it's easier to drift to sleep. So I've been experimenting with various types (i.e. different wines, margaritas, hard lemonade, beer) and tonight I thought I'd try the boxed wine... Why am I evenexplaining myself to you?!

JK.

I can appreciate the need for a few before bed to help you fall asleep faster - but boxed wine? There are a few good ones out there - but Franzia is not one of them.

 

[boxerdudeuk]

I don't think you have anything to worry about, boxed wine won't taste worse after the expiration date...

lol took the words right outta my mouth hahaha

 

[gsdx]

I find it interesting how many people believe food and drink instantly become poison on the expiry date.

 

[boxerdudeuk]

I can appreciate the need for a few before bed to help you fall asleep faster - but boxed wine? There are a few good ones out there - but Franzia is not one of them.

to the poster's credit, many people who don't have any sort of appreciation for wine will buy inexpensive ones - because why wouldn't they? to many people, a franzia boxed red tastes the same as an '82 petrus.

 

[CGHJ]

^^ Right?!?!?! Hey, I have to drink this! Gotta get through the whole box so let's go!

 

[boxerdudeuk]

I find it interesting how many people believe food and drink instantly become poison on the expiry date.

lol it's actually shocking how long things will stay ok. if you don't open a tub of yogurt, it'll almost outlive the person who bought it. lol