Tue, 05 May 2026 22:04:21 +0000

The Surprising Answer to ‘Does Alcohol Go Bad?’ — It Can Spoil Faster Than You Think! When you pour a bottle of your favorite spirits or your beloved homebrew, one common assumption is that alcohol lasts forever. After all, ethanol is a preservative that kills microbes, right? Well, surprise—while alcohol does have natural antimicrobial properties, it can still go bad or spoil faster than you’d expect under the right conditions. In this article, we uncover why alcohol isn’t always as stable as you think and explore the hidden factors that speed up its deterioration. ### Why People Assume Alcohol Doesn’t Go Bad
Ethanol, the primary alcohol in spirits like vodka, whiskey, and wine, inhibits bacterial and microbial growth when the alcohol content exceeds around 15–20%. This makes high-proof liquors naturally stable and resistant to spoilage over long periods—especially when stored properly in a cool, dark place. As a result, many people treat their bottles as long-lasting staples. ### But Is Alcohol Truly Immune to Spoilage?
The short answer: not if conditions are right. While pure ethanol resists spoilage due to its antimicrobial and drying effects, real-world factors can compromise alcohol’s stability: