Is there anything more disappointing than having a few leftover beers at the end of a party?
It’s happened to the best of us.
But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Here are some quick and easy ideas on what to do with your leftover beer.
Cheers.
Cook with it
Beer is the perfect addition to many dishes, from chili to ham and cheese pretzels.
Adding a little bit of beer can give your dish a boost of flavor and complexity that you wouldn’t get otherwise.
Just be sure to cook it down before you add the beer to your dish, or else all of that alcohol will go to waste.
Make baklava
I’m a big fan of this one.
My uncle, who lives in Louisiana and is known for his yearly Mardi Gras parties, makes a mean honey-baklava with his leftover beer.
All you have to do is combine the beer and honey in a saucepan and cook it down until thickened, then let it cool.
Spread the honey-beer mixture between two sheets of phyllo dough and slice into small squares.
You can get creative with this one; add some cinnamon or other spices for a little variety.
Make panade
Panade is simply a mixture of starch and liquid, typically used as a base for soups or stews.
When making it with beer, you’re basically creating the same thing that’s in beer bread-and yes, I said beer bread.
This recipe calls for self-rising flour and butter, and you can’t go wrong with that.
This would be the perfect accompaniment to a hearty soup or stew or even just some leftover chili.
Make beer bread
It’s tasty, it’s easy to make, and it uses up leftover beer.
What more could you ask for?
All you have to do is mix your self-rising flour, sugar, salt, buttermilk, or sour milk (buttermilk will give it a little extra flavor), and of course beer together in one bowl, pour in a greased loaf pan, and bake at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes.
Now that’s what I call living the dream.
Make beer-ginger ice cream
You heard that right.
It may sound strange to you, but ginger with beer is actually a pretty common flavor combination in different parts of the world.
And here’s something that might surprise you: beer-flavored ice cream.
To do this, you’ll need to make an extract with the beer.
First, let it sit out for a while until it’s below 40 degrees; if you put cold beer directly into your ice cream mixture, the final product won’t freeze properly.
Then cook down the extract together with some brown sugar and eggs before adding it back to your ice cream maker.
Make non-dessert popsicles
Just mix your leftover beer with some fruit juice in a 1:1 ratio, pour into your popsicle mold, wait 6 hours, and you’ve got yourself six popsicles that will make your kids (or inner child) very happy.
Use it in cocktails
If cooking isn’t your thing, how about mixing up a few cocktails? Beer makes for a delicious mixer and can be used in place of other liquors in most recipes.
However, you’ll want to be careful with this one.
Beer has a lot of carbonation and not as much alcohol as other liquors, so too much beer might make your drink watered down.
On the other hand, if you use a dark beer like stout or porter the color will overpower many cocktail recipes.
Can you drink leftover beer?
Yes, you can.
But you only drink it within a day or two.
If you don’t drink it at that time, it will not taste good and you will not want to drink it.
How long is leftover beer good for?
If you store it in the fridge and keep it open, most of the quality will be gone after 1-2 days.
If you don’t store it in the fridge, it will only last a few hours.
Can you cook with flat beer?
Yes, you can cook with flat beer.
It doesn’t matter if it is leftover or fresh.
But if the flavor wasn’t pleasing in the bottle, it’s not going to be pleasing in your stew. (source)
Can you drink opened beer left out overnight?
Yes, you can drink it.
It will not spoil, but it may taste bad.
How do you keep the beer from going flat after opening?
To reduce the amount of oxidization that takes place and to prevent carbonation loss, it’s best to reseal beer after opening it with an airtight cap or stopper.
Does Bud Light beer go bad?
Yes, the company which produces Bud Light, puts a shelf life of 110 days on the beer.
After this time, the quality of the beer drops and it is not as good to drink.
The beer can still be consumed after this time, but it is not recommended. (source)
Can you pour beer down the sink?
It is generally OK to pour beer down the sink.
However, if the concentration of alcohol in the liquid is more than 24%, it can be harmful to your plumbing.
Can you use flat beer for bread?
Yes, you can.
To make the dough, stir together the water and yeast in a small bowl.
Mix on Speed 3 until a thick, smooth dough forms that pull away from the side of the bowl, about 5 minutes.
Coat the dough with olive oil. (source)
How long does an opened beer last in the fridge?
An opened regular or light beer usually stays good for about 1 day if it’s been refrigerated the whole time. (source)
What is beer good for around the house?
Surprisingly, beer can be used to restore old furniture.
Pour some stale suds onto a clean cloth and rub the piece with it.
This will add color and a new luster to your furniture. (source)
Is stale beer good for plants?
Yes, the yeast, sugars, proteins, and other nutrients in stale beer are beneficial for plants.
The carbohydrates in beer also feed microbes in the soil, which then feeds the plants.
Conclusion
So there you have it: seven ideas on what to do with your leftover beer.
Whether you want to cook with it, make bread or ice cream, mix up a cocktail, or just drink it straight out of the bottle, I hope at least one of these ideas have inspired you.
And remember, don’t let those leftovers go to waste- there’s always something that can be done with them.