Old Firestone Walker bottles everywhere

I was mainly speaking with regard to Enjoy By in terms of months, but, yes, I have had blind tests between Hopslams that were one year apart, but stored in refrigerated environments for the full year until the new batch was released. There is no question which is better. None.

 

Not that it's too relevant, but there are usually 2-3 bottlings of Hopslam over about a month.

As for age-
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/06/beer-is-the-new-milk-drink-it-fast.html
Note that most thought one month warm and four month cold tasted very similar. Cheers!

 

I know this thread is old but what's considered fresh enough on double jack? I usually drink beers that benefit from age and don't often go for IPAs but I do really enjoy one from time to time. I found a place that had tons of FW brews just under 1 month old, is that decently fresh for double jack?

 

Apparently, this thread is still relevant. My local had a bulk stack of old Wookey Jack (bottled 7/10/14) for 4.99 a four pack. I was tempted but passed. It's a solid Black IPA, but how solid can it be at this age?

 

In my experience, FW turns into a mediocre beer when it sits for too long. I've had both Union and Double Jacks and didn't like either one very much. I've decided not to have another one of their beers until I'm able to get it in California.

 

There was a similar discussion @ other West Coast breweries and old product, especially on the East Coast. Curious if this is just a geography thing, or whether FW's situation is unique.

It'd be great to hear from breweries (or distributors) directly regarding these questions. I know SN sales management does check in every once in a while, for instance....

 

Under a month is definitely fresh. Those beers are good to go.

 

^^^^ THIS ^^^^

 

Pliny and Double Jack are definately not the same beers after 5 weeks in the bottle. Shells of their former selves, especially Pliny. People who drink these two on a very regular basis will notice fairly quickly. However, people less familiar with these two I'd assume wouldn't pick up on the differences much at all.

 

Run into the same thing with Peeper, Zoe, et al from Maine Beer. It's priced above market, which was (sort of) justified when they were first distributed as demand outstripped supply. Now, I see them collecting dust at every beer store around Boston. Make them into a reasonably priced 6-pack a la Jack's Abby and Hoponius Union and they'd definitely move much quicker. Flagship pale ales and IPAs should be about volume, not maximizing margin per bottle.

 

My solution, drink it on draft/growler.

I've tapped 5 month old kegs of double jack and the response is always "finally some fresh FW"
and I would always sip a sample and say "well this is what it's supposed to taste like."

 

Is it typical to have old (e.g., 5 months) kegs of beers available?

Cheers!

 

Random question but what does a 4pk of Double Jack typically run? I found in in Philly on Christmas Eve for $13.49. I thought it was steep by worth it.

 

A super fresh Double jack or Union Jack in Maryland is like finding a white whale.

 

In NYC/NJ we never see Double Jack or Union Jack under 2 months old. I refuse to by any non hoppy FW stuff until their distribution gets fixed and we can get the beers a little fresher. I have had both beers fresh a couple times and they are great but not willing to buy them when I can get IPA's just as good a lot fresher on the same shelf.

 

Same situation in MA....they are a top drawer brewer, but distro issues and then then sit and then if people buy them they are suboptimal...then they get a bad rep..then people don't buy them.....vicious circle..

 

Exactly what I've found in MO...bottled in April!

 

Never?

Bottled on date portion of label of Double Jack bought a week and half ago or so in NJ - Joe Canal's Rt. 1, Lawrenceville (and still technically "under 2 months old" today).

The one and only case of Union Jack I purchased, several years ago now, was bottled in early September and bought in early October but, I agree, in general the FW beers do tend to be a few months old - but it's not a unusual situation with many brewers' beer from the west coast or, sadly, from anywhere else.

 

I actually e-mailed FW about some old Wookey Jack at Joe Canal's on 11/7/14, bottled 12/20/13. Next time I went to Joe Canal's those bottles were gone. I wonder how long the Pliny that FW is scheduled to brew for RR starting in 2015 will be allowed to sit around?

 

Firestone Pliny is draft only. Bottling still being done @ Russian River.