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Is it safe to drink beer that is 20 years out of date?

i just purchased two vintage cans of Tennents Lager (from Scotland) which are highly collectable because in the 1980s the cans used to have pictures of scantily clad "lager lovelies" on them. To my surprise, the cans arrived today - unopened! The use by dates on the cans are July 1988 and August 1989 respectively. Just wondering what condition i could expect the beer to be in if i opened the cans? Would it still taste like beer or would it make me ill?

Public Comments

1. well sounds like they are collectables. hmmmm, well i guess you could try them, im sure they are extra frumented. it may make you ill, but try it if you are daring enough to.... i wouldnt tho... even tho it sounds like something i would do. lol.
2. It would probably taste pretty much like water and I doubt if it would make you too sick. But you never know. Why not just keep the beer in the cans and keep them more valuable
3. if you really like beer, have a taste!
4. They did on the show "Lost". Sawyer made a sour face, then shrugged it off and finished the can. I wouldn't try it though.
5. I wouldn't do it. My experiences working in a bar have taught me , if you have to question whether or not you should drink it, you probably shouldn't. If you must I would pour it in a glass and see what it looks like. If you see stuff floating in it, do not drink it! Also, I agree with the guy who said leave it in the can. It is more valuable that way.
6. Safe, yes, except to the value of the can. A good idea, probably not.
7. Won't they become worth less if you open them? If it were me, I'd buy a fresh pack at your local, and just keep the vintage cans as is, for display purposes only!
8. Simply no. beer is best fresh and doesn't age well unless its alcohol content is above 10%. Even then 20 years is awfully old for a beer.
9. Yes,Yes,Yes!The beer will have settled out all solids so let it sit for a few days to recover from being shipped.Pour into a glass slowly so you don't disturb the sediment.I've drank some 10 year old beers that were fine...But they will taste different.The ones I tried tasted a little sweet.I think it's because the hops and malt solids settle out and their flavor disappears.Good Luck.