Do hops preserve the beer??

They do preserve the beer undercertain circumstances, but some people much prefer the taste of hops when the beer is freshly brewed and preservation of beer is less of a problem with refrigeratiion, etc.. The flavor of the hops changes over time and the result is not something that some people like. So the brewer is telling you that if you want fresh hop taste...

Edit: Most beer is best consumed fresh.

 

It is true that hops have traditionally been used as a preservative in beer as well as to provide bitter flavors that balance the sweetness of the malt. Many BAs (myself included) happen to really enjoy that bitter flavor and it is most intense when the beer is fresh.

 

Hops preserve beer by acting as an anti-microbial, keeping the beer from spoiling due to bacterial infections (souring).

Beer typically "skunks" via exposure to light, not the aging of hops...which would be oxidation.

 

Phew, glad we got that cleared up.

That sir is incorrect and the origins of the IPA isn't so their pale ale would last during voyage over the Indian Ocean.

 

http://zythophile.wordpress.com/tag/east-india-pale-ale/