Focus Session - Strategies for Understanding and Extending Shelf-Life

Description: As breweries expand distribution, consumers become more discerning and cost-conscious, and the market sees an explosion of beyond-beer beverage offerings, new questions about shelf life are emerging. This session will provide an in-depth exploration of how breweries today are measuring and extending shelf life across a diverse range of products.

Brewers representing a variety of sizes, distribution models, and product portfolios will share real-world case studies illustrating both analytical and sensory approaches to understanding shelf life across different beer and beverage types. Presentation of the new ASBC Sensory Method 19 for Shelf Life will also be presented and discussed, as well as other ASBC resources.

Ample time for expert discussion and Q&A will ensure that attendees can engage directly with panelists and get answers to specific challenges. Whether you're part of a small craft brewery or a large-scale operation, this session will deliver actionable takeaways on testing methods, technological advancements, and best practices for maintaining beverage quality in an increasingly competitive market.

Relevance: As breweries navigate an evolving marketplace with expanding distribution, shifting consumer preferences, and the rise of beyond-beer beverages, understanding and extending shelf life has never been more critical. This session brings timely and valuable insights to the Brewing Summit community by providing a platform to discuss emerging challenges in product stability, quality assurance, and sensory consistency across a diverse range of beverages.
What sets this session apart is its comprehensive approach—bringing together a range of brewers who have actively refined their sensory and analytical shelf-life programs and who have developed innovative solutions to enhance beverage stability. By combining real-world brewery applications, this discussion offers a fresh, solution-oriented perspective on shelf-life management.

Brewing Summit 2025 Theme: The brewing industry is facing a rapidly changing landscape, with evolving consumer preferences, expanding distribution networks, and an increasing demand for beyond-beer beverages. This session aligns with the "Evolving in a New Environment" theme by bringing new perspectives to a classic challenge in modern brewing: ensuring product stability and quality in a competitive and dynamic market.