Beer Past Its BBE Date – Still Safe, Still Delicious

At Wookey Brewing Co., we’ve recently had a few customers ask about beers that are past their Best Before End (BBE) date. If you’re curious about what this means for quality and safety, here’s everything you need to know.

How Long Is Canned Beer Good For?

Canned beer is at its best for up to 12 months from packaging, especially when stored in cool, dark conditions. Most craft beers, including ours, keep their freshness and flavour for 6–12 months in cans. After this, you might notice subtle changes in taste, aroma, or carbonation, but the beer is still safe to drink—especially those with higher alcohol content. Keeping cans cool and out of sunlight helps preserve them for longer.

Is Beer Past Its BBE Date Safe?

Yes—beer with alcohol remains safe to enjoy after its BBE date. The BBE date is about peak freshness and quality, not safety. Unlike “Use By” dates (which apply to perishable foods), BBE dates are only a guideline for when your beer will taste its best. After this point, the flavour may gradually evolve, but your beer is still perfectly fine to drink.

What’s the Legal Position?

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and UK law make a clear distinction between “Use By” and “Best Before” dates:

- Use By: Relates to food safety (for highly perishable foods).

- Best Before: Relates to quality, not safety.

Alcoholic drinks like beer are required to have a BBE date to show when they’re at their freshest, but they do not become unsafe after this date. Retailers can legally sell beer past its BBE date as long as it’s still in good condition.

Our Commitment to Quality

We regularly taste-test our beers and are confident that even after the BBE date, they remain enjoyable. If you ever have concerns about your purchase, please contact us—we’re always happy to help.

Let’s all do our bit together to stop wastage of food and drink.

Enjoy your beer, even if it’s past its BBE date, and help reduce unnecessary waste.

Thank you for supporting Wookey Brewing Co.

You can buy with confidence—cheers to great beer, anytime!