Cardinal rules of beer

your #7 is the best thing I've read on this site in some time. Hey brewer, put a date on your bottle or I'm going to tell you what beer I bought instead. awesome.

 

They can do whatever they want, but at 17 dollars a 6 pack they'll have to show some green if they want seconds ; )

 

If you are buying any beer check the date - esp. if it isnt kept cold.

 

I like your third rule...i think i have been turned off by bad/old bottles...i HATED Ruination the first time i tried it...old IPAs are the worst.

 

If your friend doesn't like that $16 bomber you just bought and shared with them, shake them until they like it.

 

Haha! YES 'merica is awesome! It's a wonder how they last so long on the shelf. Think i might go grab one tonight too. And a seizon bretta.

 

I take it you've never had an anus-aged Bud Light Platinum.

 

Always buy more than you think you need!

 

If the beer is undated, I always ask the beer store when it was stocked ( a good rule in general).

A store which specializes in craft beer, or has a large inventory will know when the beer was stocked.
But I do agree- no BB or bottle date- I am skeptical at first.

 

This is difficult, I usually don't talk about it if I am drinking in a public place or a party. If it's at my house- I always offer a glass.

Also- if you are on the road, or there is no glass available- a large paper coffee cup works. Never Styrofoam.
I have had a few times when no glass was available, so I grabbed a large paper coffee take out cup and it worked well.

 

When on the fence about a beer...buy it.

 

Don't hunt whales.

 

I read this entire thread, can't believe rule 23 was left out...

Rule 23: Don't spill the Beer.

 

I think that's more of a Commandment than a rule.

 

The only problem I see with this, if it tastes so bad you don't want to drink it, do you really want your food to taste like it?

 

Fine to ask the store when it was stocked in the store, but they will have no idea how long the beer sat in the distributor warehouse prior to being delivered to the store. That's the $64,000 question for which the answer is not likely to ever be known for beers that are available year-round (short of date codes), and without that information it just has to be assumed that the beer didn't sit at the distributor for too long. It's just the nature of the industry and the three-tier system of alcohol distribution in the U.S.

Seasonal and special-release beers are easier to judge since we generally know about when they were released by the brewery.

 

Enjoy it! I also try to pick things up for friends if they are having a hard time finding something.

 

Lots of things taste awful on their own, but great when added to a recipe. Take a swig of real vanilla extract.

 

Never be dismissive of any brewer. a truly good beer can come from anywhere and from any company. just because a young brewer made a few bad batches doesn't mean they won't make really good stuff in the future. be open minded.

 

Ratings are a guide not gospel

Drink fearlessly and objectively

Drink often