Experts finally reveal the secret of fresher beer

BEER drinkers raise your pint glasses and rejoice - experts have figured out how to keep our amber ale fresher for longer.

In good news to drinkers everywhere, scientists have discovered the main substances that cause beer’s bitter, harsh after-taste, and say that simply preventing them forming will keep our drinks fresher for longer.

Unlike wines and spirits, beer doesn’t age well which means it is best drunk fresh.

But scientists have found that preventing what’s known as prenylated polyketides from forming during fermentation can keep beer tasting fresh for longer.

A study in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reveals how beer develops an unpleasant, bitter after-taste as it ages.Researcher Thomas Hofmann and his team had the not so painful task of analysing a range of commercial beers before and after storage.

The team identified 56 substances which can cause beer to have a bitter unpleasant taste, including five that can lead to its harsh flavour after ageing.

The team’s study also concludes that keeping the temperature as low as possible during storage will also extend the alcohol’s shelf life.