Flakes in beer: normal or a sign of spoilage?

Flakes in beer are a surprise to many people, but they are more often a mark of quality than a problem. If you pour a hazy NEIPA or open an unfiltered Weizen, there is a good chance you will see flakes. But what exactly are these flakes, and when should you worry?

Read on and learn everything there is to know about flakes in beer.

What are flakes in beer and where do they come from?

Flakes in beer are small particles that you see floating in the glass. They are created in various ways, for example by yeast residues, proteins, or hops. You can read exactly how the fermentation process in beer works and why it has such an influence on the final result in our knowledge base.

With unfiltered beers, such as a NEIPA or a Weizen, yeast cells are the most common cause. Breweries deliberately leave these particles in because filtering can reduce the flavor and aroma. In beer styles with many hop aromas, small hop particles can also cause flakes in the beer.

When are flakes in beer not a problem?

Not all flakes are equal. With beer containing flakes, the type of beer plays a major role. Unfiltered and unpasteurized beers naturally contain more particles. Think of styles like Weizen, NEIPA, Berliner Weisse, and Gose. With these beers, cloudiness is standard, even desirable. With gluten-free beer, proteins play an even bigger role: some clarification processes leave more residue behind than with regular beer. Flakes occur more often there as well.

Some beers are also bottled with extra yeast. The result: a thick layer of sediment at the bottom. If you pour such a bottle with a swirling motion, the sediment distributes evenly through the beer. Do you want the beer clear? Then let the bottle stand upright before pouring and pour carefully. The flakes in your beer are perfectly safe and normal in these cases.

When can beer with flakes be a warning sign?

There are situations where flakes in beer can point to a problem. If the flakes are accompanied by a sour, musty, or unpleasant smell, this can be a sign that the beer might be spoiled. This also applies to beers that are actually supposed to be clear, such as a West Coast IPA or a classic lager. If you suddenly see flakes in those, the beer may have been poorly stored or kept too long after the expiration date. An unnaturally slimy consistency of the flakes is also a signal to throw the beer away. If the beer smells fresh and good, it is almost always fine.

Which craft beers naturally have flakes?

Many of the finest craft beers are unfiltered and are therefore by definition beer with flakes. A classic Hefeweizen has its characteristic cloudiness due to yeast cells that remain in suspension. A NEIPA is deliberately hazy due to the large amount of dry hops and proteins. Lambic and wild ales mature on wild yeasts and bacteria. Flakes and sediment are therefore perfectly normal there.

Barrel-aged beers can also contain particles due to the aging process. Breweries release some of these beers exclusively on keg, precisely to better preserve the character of the unfiltered beer. Through our crowlers, you can also tap those beers at home, freshly filled and unfiltered as they should be.

How do you best store beer with flakes?

The way you store beer with flakes has a lot of influence on the taste and appearance. Store beers upright if you want to let the sediment settle for a clearer presentation. Do you want to use the yeast and the full character of the beer? Then store it lying down or shake the bottle gently before pouring.

Unfiltered beers are more sensitive to light and temperature fluctuations. So store them cool and dark, preferably in the refrigerator. Drink them before or on the indicated expiration date for the best result. Beer with flakes changes character as the beer gets older.

Buy beer with flakes

In short, flakes in beer are not necessarily a sign of spoilage. Often it is simply a sign that the beer is not filtered and it actually adds to the taste experience. From hazy NEIPAs to unfiltered Weizens and wild ales. You can find it all at Beerdome. Grab your chance, because the finest examples always go quickly. View our range of craft beer and get your beer with flakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are flakes in beer dangerous?

Flakes in beer are almost always harmless. They consist of yeast cells, proteins, or hop particles that naturally occur in unfiltered beers. Only if the beer looks cloudy and smells unpleasant can there be a case of spoilage. Always use your nose as the first check. If the beer looks otherwise normal and smells good, you can just drink it.

Which beer styles have the most sediment?

Unfiltered beer styles have the most flakes or the most sediment. These include Weizen, NEIPA, Berliner Weisse, Gose, Lambic, and wild ales. Barrel-aged beers also regularly contain sediment at the bottom. This is completely normal and part of the character of the beer.

Should I shake beer with flakes or not?

That depends on your preference. If you shake the beer, the sediment distributes through the glass and you get a fuller, hazier character. If you want to pour the beer clearer, pour carefully and leave the last bit in the bottle. Many beer lovers prefer the hazy character because it provides more flavor and aroma.

How long can beer with flakes be kept?

The shelf life of beer with flakes varies by type. Unfiltered beers generally have a shorter shelf life than filtered beers because the living yeast cells continue to influence the beer. Always look at the expiration date on the bottle and store the beer cool and dark. Preferably drink it before the indicated date for the best taste.

Does beer with flakes have more calories?

Beer with flakes contains yeast cells, which bring a small amount of extra proteins and nutrients. However, the difference compared to filtered beer is minimal and basically negligible.