German / Imported Märzens

Yeah. Sad, indeed.

At my age, I need to limit my drinking, and by extension, my purchases (I already have too much beer getting older in my refrigerator - see my post in the thread about aging beer in crowlers.)

 

Lotta that syndrome going around. Once again, sad.

 

I just finished an Ettaler Mythos Spezial Märzen and it's the finest one I've ever had.

 

Ayinger!

 

I picked up what could be my final Oktoberfest beer this year in the form of 2 six pack of Weihenstephaner Festbier as supplies are pretty much exhausted around here. Now that I understand the greatness of German festbiers I'm sure I'll be eagerly anticipating their arrival late summer 2021 like many of you.

 

See if you can see one of the case boxes -- many imports have a much easier-to-read date on their cases. Often a large adhesive label.

 

Last two posts make me as the question to you professionals: how late into the use do you keep buying these imports?

 

I usually balk when the beer is close to a year from its bottling date. However, I've had "old" imports that weren't terribly off. Pasteurization helps.

 

I wouldn't blink an eye at 6 months. It's around 9 that I start to get concerned.

 

Yeah, if they're selling six-packs only you probably have to be in the store right at stocking time. I see a lot of stores using the case boxes to stack up then put the loose sixers on top -- makes it a little easier.

 

The Weihenstephaner Festbier has dates on the label. 5260 on mine. Must be May 26th? Can't be a Julian date though 2020 seems to be one long ass year..

 

Thanks!

 

This is one I would enjoy throughout the year until I moved and it is only available during Oktoberfest season if I am lucky.

 

You were close--the '5' would actually make the day June 25, as the first number of their code is the numerical day, depending on the week. So it could've been the 5th, 15th, or 25th depending on the week it was bottled.

Or maybe that's what you were saying and just mistyped the day.