The battle with the dragon is the last battle of Beowulf's long life; he has lived through many adventures and battles, and become a beloved king of the Geats. The text claims that he ruled for "fifty winters," which would make him fifty years older than he was after the battle with Grendel and Grendel's mother. This puts his final age between seventy and ninety years old, depending on his age when he assumed the throne. If he was between twenty-five and thirty-five -- a normal man's physical peak -- when he battled Grendel, then at his death, this age would seem appropriate.
Beowulf spoke, and made a battle-boast, his last one of all: "I have survived many wars in my youth, and now I, the old defender of the people, will once again seek battle and accomplish mighty deeds, if that fell destroyer will come forth from his...
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cavern to fight me!"
(Beowulf, eNotes eText)
His age at death probably can't be pinpointed any closer than that, although a scholar of Old English may be able to gather contextual clues in the text for a more accurate figure. It is safe to place Beowulf's age at around eighty-five at his death, since this would give him time to gain a reputation before fighting Grendel, and then allow him the fifty years of rule over the Geats.
How old is Beowulf when he fights his last battle?
In the last section of the story, after Beowulf returns to his homeland, it is revealed that after Hygelac's death, the "kingdom came into Beowulf's hand for fifty winters." With this piece of information it would be safe to assume that Beowulf is at least 70 to 80 years old when he faces his last foe -- the fire breathing dragon. When you consider the average life expectancy of a male 1500 years ago it is actually quite remarkable that he is alive at all -- especially considering how dangerous his life would have been. It is additionally remarkable that Beowulf fearlessly goes into battle to save his people from the danger of the dragon. He is a very old man, yet he and only one other man are emotionally strong and brave enough to face this enemy. He dies from wounds received, but he faces his death with valiant dignity.