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.
Also like bottle-conditioned beers, the length of time the beer can last in the cask will depend on the nature of the beer itself: unopened, stronger beers can last for months; light, delicate beers need to be tapped and sold quickly.