Before you open a beer, be sure to check the expiration date. While some kitchen staples stay fresh beyond their use-by dates, beer is more susceptible than other types of alcohol.

Refrigeration won’t make beer invincible to expiration. Refrigeration prolongs a beer's freshness for up to three years, but it will expire if it's incorrectly stored.

Exposure to UV light and oxygen and incorrect storage temperature can harm your beer. The optimal storage temperature is between 45 degrees Fahrenheit and 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fermentation, coupled with alcohol content and low pH level, fights off harmful microorganisms. If your beer is well-sealed, it's unlikely to make you sick.