Correct freshness question for bartenders

I find a lot of times the bar tenders get defensive over these types of questions. I know a good bar tender shouldn't. But that's often times not the case.

For example, just last week. I went to a bar that is known for having many craft options on draft and in bottles/can. I've been before and never had an issue. I noticed they had Harpoon IPA on tap, which is from my motherland and a longstanding go-to for me. I know it well. So I ask for a Harpoon IPA, s/he pours it, I sip it... yuck. Old frumpy decomposed hops taste. There's maybe two or three sips missing from it. It sits there for ten minutes untouched. I finally say "excuse me, but do you know how old that Harpoon keg is?" s/he responds with a snarky automatically defensive "its perfectly fine. they [motions to a group] just got some and are fine with it. its fine." Well, that's not really what I asked, now is it? So I say "ok, well I personally am not fine with it, it tastes very off. I have no problem paying for it if you insist it's new and fresh, but I'd like a different beer now". s/he stops off without responding, rolls eyes, etc.

In this situation, it's not like s/he is the "freshness baron(ess)" of all beer. it's not their beer, their distributor, etc.
If it was "fresh", it certainly sat for a while before tapping. Now I know not to order that beer around here. simple.

 

I would never ask. If it tasted bad I would say "this definitively doesn't taste like a fresh beer"....but asking upfront, IMO, is snobbish - and regardless of what you might think, all in earshot will think of you as a total dick. That being said, if the bar is ALL ABOUT craft and catering to the exhausted intricacies of the craft animal's requirements, then I can see asking.....very quietly and with a slight effect of shame glazing your cadence

 

Freshness aside, sounds like the person is an ass and sucks at customer service. As a bartender you don't have to agree with the patron as long as they are being polite. I've always just dumped the beer they didn't like and poured them a different one no questions asked, I'd then discreetly try a sample myself to make sure the beer should still be served.

There have been a few times where the patron is an ass though and comes back with a mostly drunken glass, then I'm happy to charge them whether they want to pay or not.

 

I don't know where the view of when it was tapped matters, but it doesn't.

If the draft system is off balance and it's been on for 6 months that's a different story, but I don't think that's what were talking about in this situation.

 

The question I always ask is "When was the tap-line cleaned".

 

Drink Fresh, Drink Cheap, Drink in Peace, Drink at HOME.

My motto

 

That is unbelievably arrogant.

 

As someone who's worked on all sides of this (brewer/brewery packaging manager, bartender, distributor) I find the question really interesting, but perhaps a bit over-blown.

#1 - Distributors really want to get the beer out of their house - first in, first out - and brewers do the same. Mistakes can be made, but for the most part the question of when the beer was kegged is usually not an issue. If it's a reputable brewer, they're shipping fresh beer; and unless it's a mistake, the distributor is shipping the freshest beer as well. (An exception to this might be beers that are being shipped across the country - example, an Oregon beer going to Miami, FL).

#2 - As a bartender (with the exception of when I was actually the brewer of said beer), I had no idea when a beer was kegged, or tapped. I could check a kegged-on date, but as previously pointed out, that can be difficult given the tightness of most beer coolers/cellars - however I would had gladly done that if it wasn't busy; but not all bartenders would, and in fact, many bartenders are lazy despite the fact (or maybe because of the fact) that they receive the biggest amount in tips.

#2.5 - Bartenders are people too. If you want something from them, you need to give them something too, that's just the way of the world. If you're nice about it you can get most (OK, maybe just some) bartenders to help you out. Being positive is key! Smile. Act apologetic. Tip them immediately if they're willing to go back to the cold box and check.

#2.75 - as pointed out many times already... the taster saves everyone time (I won't go into bars that charge you for samples because that's another thread).

#3 - As to when it was tapped, that might be harder, although many bars now mark that on the keg collar. More importantly, some bars are now utilizing technology that let's you know when a keg was tapped, and roughly how much is left in it! You can even check it from home before you head out. That's what we need!

 

Again, when it was tapped may be interesting and speak to the volume of beer that moves at the bar, but even then it is loose because you don't know what size barrels they are using. It still has nothing to do with freshness.

 

I liked your comment strictly based on your avatar.
Then I read your comment and agree.
+2

 

This may fall in to the category of "you know you're over thinking it when....."
It's beer man! Ask for a sample, and if its good, buy it. If it isn't , don't.
The answer to your question won't make a good beer taste bad or vise versa...trust your taste buds

 

As pointed out already by others, it's a roll of the dice. To increase the odds, I only drink draft where I know there is a good turnover rate, and I am familiar with their taps list on a weekly basis.

 

Yes, yes it is.