Outdated beer

I get the time and tank numbers but how do we get January 22 out of 3022? wouldn't that be March 22nd? and if so, why not 03?

So I guess I'm asking what designates the January number? and why?

 

I would assume they hop up many of the IPAs more at the bottling stations knowing they will lose some of their punch by the time they get to consumers?

All food starts to deteriorate from the time they are harvested...fruits, vegetables and even meat...that doesn't mean there is no sense in eating them? It only means that it's freshest alive...I prefer my steaks slaughtered...and although it may be nice to drink straight from the brewers tank...there are a few obstacles one must consider.

 

One of the typical "Julian" (aka "day of the year") dating methods. Year = (201)3 022 = 22nd day of the year.

 

Please quote where I stated his research was wrong. Please. I'll wait...

Of course the hop intensity decreases the moment after it is bottled/canned. But, it doesn't go from a world class beer to bottle of skunk urine in a matter of one week. It is extremely rare for ANYONE to drink a bottle within 3 days of canning.

One look at the 50,000+ reviews/ratings for ipas on this site will show you that even after weeks and weeks from the bottle date, people still VERY MUCH enjoy their ipas based on the very high number of positive reviews and very high ratings.

My post was tongue in cheek regarding the constant complaints of finding the freshest ipas possible, otherwise its not worth drinking.

 

There is no doubt that there are some who take it to an extreme, but I don't think a large percentage of folks say there is "no sense" in drinking beers they've already purchased after such a short period after bottling, but if one is buying beer, why not look for the freshest? (And, yeah, I do that with milk, meat, bread and fruits and vegetables, as well).

So many retailers do not refrigerate their beer and store them exposed to light, that buying the freshest will also mean the consumer can then properly store that beer - dark and cold. So, two months later, if I still have the same batch of beer I bought by the case and that my retailer still has on the warm, open shelf, mine has been better kept.

 

Thank you sir...I have learned something today...and it's early!

 

and that was who my post was geared at. Nothing more, nothing less.

I still don't doubt Ken's "research", nor do I doubt John Kimmich's personal thoughts on Heady Topper and his opinion once was that it was "best" at 10 weeks old. (not to mention that he states they release it after its 28 days old,so nobody gets to drink it in that 3 day old timeframe.

Am I debating that hops lose their aromas/flavors immediately after it's canned? Not at all.

 

buyer beware

 

Well obviously. I don't need a brewery to do research to tell me it takes a hit immediately. I thought that was sort of common sense.

As far as highly hopped beers dropping DRAMATICALLY, I'd buy it if I tried it.

And maybe it's good that they change "DRAMATICALLY", considering I've had plenty of super fresh smelling and tasting beers bottled a month ago. For all I know, if it weren't for the "DRAMATIC" drop off, the beer would just taste like burning.

 

I bought about 3 6-packs of Hopslam in New York back in February, bottled 1/17/2014. I cracked one open last night trying to get the taste of Brandy-aged horridity out of my mouth.

Six months shelf-life my ass.

 

Perhaps that is the best by date of 2017?

 

Thanks! One can only hope ...

 

I definitely agree for the most part, but this one dry hopped with Mosaic (and I'd guess most others dry hopped) is IMO best right after release. It's not exactly "fresh", though, since it is bottle-conditioned for a few months before release.

(Late May-early June release for anyone wondering )

 

Still have a few Columbus IPA from a batch bottled a day or two before Thanksgiving. Its still quite good. Not like it was fresh but very drinkable and I would buy more from this date if it was available to me.

Bought Sucks from around the same period and it was not that good. Lost a huge amount of its hop taste but did keep the smell but not as intense as fresh.

I am a date **** with beer. Pass by many with no dates smeared dates or unknown translation of dates.

Most stores and distributors here do not seem to care. Its my cash so I spend it my way and Fuck you if you give me shit for looking at all the bottles before I bring them to the counter. In this day and age the Customer is always right so Mr. beer company charging me $12 for 4 beers, if you cant get them to me fresh and dated then I will see you in the Beer companies you would like to see brew beer again thread.

Please do not use that smearable ink to date your bottles either. Green Flash used it at some point as did others.

Enjoy

 

Saison-Brett is dry hopped with Amarillo. We typically bottle it about 3 months before the planned release date to give it time to develop noticeable brett character when it comes out.

 

This is probably a bit of a newbie question (mainly because I'm admittedly new), but I'm going to ask it anyway because I've never really had an experience with outdated beer since I'm adamant about checking dates.

My dad, out of the kindness of his heart, knows that I'm a big beer drinker who mostly drinks IPAs, so he picked up a six pack of Harpoon IPA for me as a repayment for some favors I did earlier this week. He's not exactly "educated" about beer so he didn't think to check for a freshness date. This six pack is marked "best by 11/2013." I've done a LITTLE searching, but didn't find the answer I was really looking for. Everyone basically shouts "TAKE IT BACK, TAKE IT BACK!" but that's not really an option because a) there's no reciept and b) i don't want to ask where he got it and inform him that i'm returning it.

So, my question to you guys, the more informed masses, is: what should I expect here? Is this even worth drinking at this point? Any and all input will be most appreciated... unless you give some smart-ass response... please keep those to a minimum.

 

I think it would be worth drinking, but also worth taking into consideration the time that has past since it was bottled. Maybe try picking up a fresh 6 pack of Harpoon or another comparable IPA and tasting them side by side. This way you can get a better grasp on a fresh IPA vs an old one. Anyways, whatever you decide, Cheers!

 

drink 1 just because cook with 2 of them and the other 3 use as slug bait in the garden this summer

 

Do a test. Get some dated more recently and do a side-by-side comparison to see how the 11/13 is holding up. Why not?

 

Buy another fresh 6pk. of Harpoon I.P.A.,open a bottle and drink up.Next,grab a old Harppon I.P.A.,try it.Most likely,you will make a sad face and throw away entire old Harpoon I.P.A. 5pk.OR as another fellow BA said,"save it 4 slug bait".Kill those slimy bastards!

Cheers