Buying bottles at a bar

Unfortunately, I don't think restaurants and bars are "there" yet to be able to understand the whole freshness thing from our perspective and to that degree.

 

not at all. bottle pricing at bars is high to begin with. and if there's no date or code or what ever then don't purchase it. that's how I do.

 

If it's a bar the specializes in craft beer, they should only stock fresh IPAs and should have no qualms if you ask the freshness on them. If it is just a sports bar or something, that happens to carry some decent craft beers, I would suspect they would be as in-tune to the freshness of their bottles IPAs, but they shouldn't be offended if you ask either.

 

I've seen a bottle of Founders Devil Dancer on the list at a local bar as recently as a few months ago making it a 9-10mo old triple IPA. It's no longer listed so not sure who bought that bad boy.

 

If I was travelling somewhere, and I had a chance to buy an IPA in a bottle at a bar that I hadn't tried before, then maybe I'd do it. But otherwise like you said, sours and saisons (and stouts) are really the only bottles I buy at bars.

 

While I haven't done it myself (as I almost exclusively buy draft when I'm out), I don't think it's wrong to ask to look at the bottle to see when it was dated before buying. If enough people do that and subsequently send it back because its old, bars/restaurants will start to catch on that old beer isn't going to sell.

 

Very, very rarely and only in the extreme case that I cant find anything I'm in the mood for on tap.

At dive bars or those without craft on tap though, I'm more likely to take my chance with an old bottle than a dirty tap line.

 

Good luck with the staff knowing anything about freshness dates. It can be really tough on distributors to make sure that bottled products are rotated and sold through properly. Some accounts will have multiple storage locations for bottled beer, with some being in ice bins, under shelves, etc. Unless you are really familiar with the particular place you're going to, better off with whatever is on tap.

 

What we need to remember is that we are in the vast minority (and don't even agree here) when it comes to any given bar with regards to what is acceptable on freshness. 95%+ of the customers in any given bar won't even question the freshness. You would need a revolution to change habits in bars.

That being said, I do believe we are seeing more bars focus on making sure they are selling quality product. I think we'll get there in bars that cater specifically to craft beers. I'm talking about craft beer bars that will only have good quality beers on their taps. The "no filler" kind of place.

 

I think the last time I bought a bottle at a bar was back in September. 2012 Uncle Jacob's stout for $16. For a vintage beer at that ABV, the price could have been a lot worse. Regardless, the beer was phenomenal. However, I just don't care to lay down that kind of money when I can get a good draft for cheaper, or, better yet, grab a fresh four-pack of Head Hunter from Whole Foods and drink it while grilling!

 

Very true, this has been my personal experience. I know there are bars restaurant that could care less about rotation but in the area I work now, where craft beer is huge, the bar restaurants are pretty knowledgeable about freshness and different beer styles.

 

We are absolutely in the minority. Nevertheless, small steps will get us there eventually....

 

No, you aren't going too far by asking to check for freshness of your IPA. You are the customer and that business wants you happy.

Much better to ask beforehand than get it poured and send it back or hate it.

If it's a really busy bar and time of night, then I'd stick with another style where freshness is less important.

 

This is where the Best By dated is screwed, the beer can be 6 months old and still in date as far as the retailer is concerned.

 

I am guessing the OP was talking about bars that actually know what they are doing in regards to cleaning lines? If I am somewhere that doesn't seem to know what they are doing, I'll only buy bottles.

 

In Philly we have bars that carry the likes of Cantillon, PNC, and Russian River Sours in bottle form. Get me drunk enough and I'll have no problem ordering bottles from the bar

 

The only bars that I will order bottled beers are the ones that specialize in craft. Monks in Philly has an impeccable "beer bible" and I often order bottles for the table to share.

 

If you are going to be 'that guy' don't even bother.

 

Would you also ask to inspect the date on a tapped keg?*
Just because it's from a keg doesn't mean it will automatically live up to the standards of the "fresh IPA" zealots around here.

* Not that I necessarily have an issue with someone checking dates on a bottle at a bar.