Introduction to German Beer

Whoops! They’re not in that thread at all, they’re here in this thread...

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/weihenstephan-cans.653646/page-7

My apologies @scott27

@zid ‘s tasting is post #269.

Mine are in post numbers 225 (just the photo of my tasting), 227, and 233.

 

I really enjoyed the paulaner FWIW, hope you agree. I haven’t seen it again since I purchase the last four pack at a store down the street.

 

How do you know they're "fresh" then?

 

You really ought to go back to the store with the Bitburger -- being sold beer that's over a year old is a pretty dodgy practice.

The Paulaner ought to be okay, but I found their Pils pretty lackluster.

 

If it's a favorite store, and you're a recognized customer, they ought to appreciate your disappointment.

 

I agree with your impression about Augustiner Salzburg as well as the opinion of Honkey, who you commented on. I liked the casks and atmosphere, didn't mind the ceramic mugs, but thought the beer was not too great. It was in line with the other so-called Maerzen beers in Austria. I remember having REAL Gosser Maerzen (amber and malty) in the late 70s in Chicago.

 

Hey, don't apologize to me but you should demand (well, ya know...) one from the retailer, distributor and/or brewer. Your retailer is at the mercy of the importer and distributor but most don't care and even fewer seem to check. Me, I consider "Fresh" anything a month old or less, then there's "Acceptable" (2-6 months, depending on beer, style, country of origin - the best one can do for most imports) and "Don't Buy".

This current phenomenon of breweries dating the individual cans but then putting them in undated boxes or that annoying, often opaque plastic wrap is pretty stupid. Undated boxes I've noticed lately include those from Anchor (linked - but supposedly newer ones are stamped), North Coast and Yuengling but I'm sure there are many others. With the Euro shrink-wrapped cans I've been poking holes under one of the cans to read the code. Just had to do it when I bought a 4 pk of DAB the other day, in fact - wait, I bet the wrapper's still in the plastic recycling bag:

Evidence of "peek hole" above. Hard to read but the last line in that text rectangle with the barcodes says:
"BEST BEFORE: SEE BASE OF CAN".

"Gee, funny you should write that, since NO, I CAN'T see the base of can! "

 

The bottom of the paulaner wraps are clear if memory serves me correct, I remember seeing dates easily the times I’ve bought their cans. Bitburger I do not remember.

 

I regularly buy 4 packs of Bitburger at my local Kroger for $5.99. The plastic wrap is clear and the date is easy to read. The ones I’ve been getting for the past couple months have a 3/24/2021 canning date.

 

This is especially egregious because they just advertised that it came in...

 

Sounds like another distro fiasco.

 

I feel like "Distro Fiasco" would be a great name for an Old Ale.

 

FTFY.