Bell’s “best by” dates

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Orca, Sep 24, 2023.

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  1. VodkaPong87

    VodkaPong87 Pooh-Bah (2,060) Oct 9, 2020 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hill Farmstead is funny. They'll give you a best by date, but it's like 17 days after canning lol
     
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  2. ChicagoJ

    ChicagoJ Grand Pooh-Bah (5,247) Feb 2, 2015 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    In terms of Imperial IPAs (9-10 + ABV), I don’t buy often, and prefer them with a few months refrigerated to smooth / balance it out. For standard IPA, fresh is typically better, though they last a good length of time refrigerated.

    I believe NB used to post both the packaged and best by dates on their IPA cans, not sure if that is still the case.

    Bells also has extended there recommended shelf life dates on other beers since the jump to Kirin / NB. Exterminate! I’d still buy Expedition Stout if I could find it.

    [​IMG]

     
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  3. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Obviously it’s a free country, and you can do whatever you want with the beer you buy. But I have to respectfully disagree about imperial IPAs. I don’t buy them often either, but there’s a good reason breweries encourage people to drink beers like Pliny (Elder and Younger) as fresh as possible—the balance between hops and malt is usually carefully calibrated, and the more concentrated these ingredients are, the easier it is for that balance to get out of whack over time. I’d say if you want a strong beer that you can lay down for a while to “smooth/balance out,” stick to barleywines, imperial stouts, Belgian strong ales etc. Drink those big IPAs as soon as you can if you want to taste the beer as the brewer intended. And it goes without saying, anything with “IPA” in the name should always be kept refrigerated. Cheers!
     
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  4. ChicagoJ

    ChicagoJ Grand Pooh-Bah (5,247) Feb 2, 2015 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Pliny the Younger and a local Vegas offering (Hop Nuts' Anniversary Beers) are head and shoulders my favorite two Imperial IPAs. I've had a few Imperial IPA four packs from other breweries who will remain nameless which I didn't like very much. They were a bit more acceptable after a few months, but not ones I would return to fresh or "aged". I understand others may feel differently, and I do agree you should try the first can fresh and go from there.

    I refrigerate all beers I can fit regardless of style, with the exception of bottled lambic, saisons and BA stouts kept in a dark closet in unheated underground basement (50s F). All cans of any style should be refrigerated if possible vs. cellared or kept at room temps.
     
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  5. GoldenWort

    GoldenWort Devotee (310) Apr 17, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Oh well..
    I still like beer....
     
  6. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I remember back when Firestone Walker beers were never fresh in stores and 2-3 months old or more. Now I rarely can find any beers I want to buy from stores that aren’t at least 2-3 months old. Too much beer/ not enough consumers I suppose.
     
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  7. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    If it makes you feel any better, I picked up some 3-day-old fresh hop beers at Fremont Brewing this weekend :grin:
     
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