Tip: sell emotional items of lower value early to get the audience tuned in. Examples are things for kids, one of a kind memorabilia, or homemade items. Sell merchandise items generally in the first half of the auction; experiences generally in the second half.
A general rule of thumb is that beers from large breweries will have a shelf life of approximately 8 to 12 months if refrigerated properly and kept from direct light, or 4 to 6 months at room temperature.
Most people believe that beer must be kept refrigerated always, and that once allowed to warm to room temperature, it can never be cooled again. Room temperature would essentially spoil the beer, much the same way as any dairy product would spoil. Except that beer is not a dairy product.