White Claw hard seltzers have become immensely popular in recent years as a low calorie and gluten free alternative to beer and other alcoholic beverages. White Claw is made from a simple mix of sparkling water, a gluten-free alcohol base, and a hint of fruit flavor. This makes for an easy-drinking beverage that many people enjoy. However, there has been some debate around whether or not White Claw hard seltzers can go bad, especially when exposed to heat over time.
Do hard seltzers like White Claw expire?
In general, hard seltzers like White Claw do not expire or technically “go bad” in the traditional sense. Since they do not contain any dairy products, fruit juices, or other ingredients that could spoil, the shelf life of White Claw is very long compared to other beverages. According to the manufacturer, an unopened can or bottle of White Claw has a shelf life of around 12-18 months when properly stored.
However, there are some things that can degrade the taste and quality of White Claw over time, especially when it is exposed to heat:
- Loss of carbonation – The carbonation in hard seltzers can dissipate over time, leading to a flat taste.
- Oxidation – Exposure to oxygen can cause the flavors and aromas of White Claw to degrade.
- Light exposure – Direct sunlight and UV rays can lead to flavor deterioration.
- High temperatures – Heat can speed up the loss of carbonation and oxidation.
So while White Claw doesn’t necessarily expire, aspects like its carbonation and flavor can start to degrade when stored at high temperatures over long periods of time. The changes are gradual and take months to over a year to notice. But eventually, old White Claw stored in hot conditions for too long may start to taste flat, oxidized, and generally inferior.
How to store White Claw to maximize freshness
To get the most shelf life out of your White Claw and prevent it from going “bad” too quickly, it’s important to store it properly. Here are some tips for maximizing freshness:
- Store upright – Store cans and bottles upright to minimize risk of leaks.
- Avoid direct sunlight – Keep White Claw out of direct sunlight and away from windows to limit light exposure.
- Moderate temperatures – Store at cool room temperatures between 55°F-70°F for best quality.
- Avoid extreme heat – Do not store White Claw long-term in very hot conditions like garages, cars, or sheds.
- Use oldest first – Rotate stock and use up oldest product before newer product.
- Check for damage – Inspect packaging for any leaks, corrosion, swelling, or damage before consuming.
- Consume when fresh – For best taste and carbonation, consume White Claw within a few months of production.
How long does White Claw last at room temperature?
If stored properly at room temperature, an unopened can or bottle of White Claw will usually last:
- 6-9 months past the production date – This allows you to keep White Claw on hand for occasions and moderate drinking.
- Up to a year when stored around 70°F – Colder temperatures in this range are better.
- 4-6 months when stored in warmer rooms around 80°F – Flavor and carbonation may degrade faster.
Once opened, White Claw will start to slowly lose carbonation and oxidize faster, so it’s best to drink it within:
- 1-2 weeks after opening when refrigerated
- 3-5 days after opening at room temperature
Keep in mind these are general guidelines for maximum freshness. Even when stored at room temperature, unopened cans/bottles of White Claw may still be safe to consume several months past the production date, though quality declines over time.
Does White Claw go bad in the car?
Storing White Claw in a hot car for extended periods is one of the worst ways to keep it fresh. Inside a car, temperatures can climb well above 100°F during summer months. The combination of heat and sunlight can quickly degrade White Claw:
- Within 1-2 weeks – Significant loss of carbonation and flavor deterioration begins.
- Within 1-2 months – White Claw will taste flat, oxidized, and generally bad.
- 3+ months – Extremely degraded in quality, not recommended for consumption.
No alcohol actually goes “bad” in the sense that it spoils, but hot car conditions can make White Claw taste so unfresh and inferior that it’s essentially undrinkable. For best results, only keep White Claw in the car short-term on the drive home from the store.
How long does White Claw last unrefrigerated?
While refrigeration helps maximize shelf life after opening, White Claw does not have to be refrigerated before opening. At room temperature and out of direct light, unopened cans/bottles of White Claw will stay fresh:
- 6-9 months past production date if stored below 70°F
- 3-6 months if stored around 80°F
- 1-3 months if stored above 90°F
Once opened, unrefrigerated White Claw is best consumed within 3-5 days. Without refrigeration, the carbonation dissipates faster and oxidation occurs quicker. For best taste, it’s recommended to refrigerate White Claw after opening.
How to tell if White Claw is bad?
There are a few signs that indicate your White Claw may be expired or has gone bad:
- Flat taste – Lack of carbonation bubbles gives flat, boring flavor
- Oxidized aroma – Smell is dull, musty, or reminiscent of cardboard
- Cloudiness – Liquid looks hazy or opaque instead of clear
- Off flavors – Strange off tastes like sourness or astringency
- Corrosion – Rust, corrosion, or swelling of the can/bottle
- Expiration dates – Product is many months past the “best by” or production date
If your White Claw exhibits multiple stale characteristics or tastes clearly deteriorated, it’s best to err on the side of caution and dispose of it. But if it’s still within several months of the production date, it may still be safe to consume, though likely of lesser quality.
Does White Claw expire?
While freshness and flavor can degrade over time, particularly if subjected to heat, White Claw and other hard seltzers do not technically expire in the way milk or other perishable goods do. With proper storage, White Claw can maintain quality and drinkability for over a year past its production date before the inevitable effects of oxidation start to make it taste stale or unfresh.
However, most ready-to-drink beverages like White Claw include a “best by date” which is the manufacturer’s estimate of how long it will remain optimally fresh – usually 9-15 months from when it was made. This date is not an expiration – White Claw stays safe indefinitely but just slowly declines in quality. So you can technically still drink White Claws several months or even a year past its “best by” date, but it likely won’t taste as crisp or flavorful as it would when fresh.
Can old White Claw make you sick?
Consuming White Claw long past its prime is unlikely to cause foodborne illness or severe health issues. However, some people may experience temporary nausea, headache, or gastrointestinal distress from very old and oxidized White Claw with clearly degraded taste and aroma. This is likely due to the buildup of mild aldehydes and volatile organic compounds as the product deteriorates.
In rare cases of extreme deterioration, drinking very old White Claw could potentially lead to more severe reactions. But you would likely have to consume numerous stale cans/bottles well over a year past date. Any White Claw that makes you feel unwell after drinking should be disposed of immediately.
How to salvage hot or old White Claw
If your White Claw has been sitting out in hot conditions for too long but isn’t completely undrinkable, there are a few tricks to try and salvage it:
- Chill it – Refrigerating warm White Claw can help regain some carbonation and crispness.
- Use in mixed drinks – Blend with fruit juices, purees, or sodas to mask stale flavors.
- Rapid chilling – Add salt and ice to quickly chill and re-carbonate.
- Freeze into popsicles – Freezing hides oxidation and gives popsicle refreshment.
However, severely heat damaged or expired White Claw with clearly flat, off tastes is difficult to salvage. At that point it may be best to dispose and purchase a fresh case.
Does flavored White Claw go bad faster?
The fruit flavors and essences used in flavored White Claw varieties like mango, black cherry, raspberry, etc. do not significantly impact how quickly the beverages deteriorate. All White Claw flavors have a similar base of seltzer water and alcohol, so they generally have comparable shelf lives when unopened.
However, once opened, some subtleties emerge between flavors:
- Citrus flavors (grapefruit, lime, lemon) hold up a little better from oxidation.
- Berry flavors (black cherry, raspberry) deteriorate faster.
- Neutral flavors (mango, tangerine) fall in the middle.
But all flavors are best consumed within 1-2 weeks after opening when refrigerated. The differences are minor enough that proper storage matters much more than White Claw variety.
Can you freeze White Claw to extend shelf life?
Freezing is an effective way to pause the gradual deterioration of White Claw’s flavor and carbonation. Unopened cans or bottles of White Claw can be safely frozen as long as there is sufficient headspace in the container to prevent cracking as the liquid expands.
Frozen White Claw remains safe to consume indefinitely, but optimal taste and texture will start to degrade after about 3-6 months in the freezer. Thaw frozen White Claw slowly in the refrigerator before consuming to prevent foaming.
Freezing can buy you extra time if you overbought White Claw but generally should not replace proper cold storage. Rotating frozen stock is recommended.
Does White Claw need to be refrigerated after opening?
It is highly recommended to refrigerate White Claw after opening to maximize its shelf life and flavor. While not strictly necessary from a food safety standpoint, refrigeration helps slow the loss of carbonation and oxidation rate after exposure to oxygen.
Leaving opened cans or bottles of White Claw at room temperature will accelerate flavor deterioration. For best taste and fizz, consume refrigerated White Claw within 1-2 weeks of opening.
Conclusion
White Claw and other hard seltzers can gradually degrade in flavor and aroma over time after production, especially when subjected to heat or direct light. However, they do not ever truly “expire” in the traditional sense. With proper cold storage, unopened White Claw stays good for over a year past its “best by” date.
Refrigerating White Claw after opening and consuming within 1-2 weeks is ideal. Signs that White Claw may be going bad include flat carbonation, musty aroma, cloudiness, and strange off flavors. Extremely deteriorated White Claw older than 1-2 years with multiple stale characteristics is best discarded.
While not dangerous, consuming White Claw long past its prime can lead to temporary nausea or discomfort. With proper storage and consumption within a reasonable timeframe, White Claw remains an enjoyable gluten-free alcoholic beverage.