Dumb question about beer shelf life.

Bells does not put best by dates, they use package dates. So your June date is just over a month old. Should be just fine. Now the reds rye on the other hand, is well past it's prime. I myself won't buy an ipa over a month old, but I'm a snob.

 

I think you should just move to a better beer town.

 

Personally, I would not drink any IPA/pale ale with an expired "drink by date". The brewery put that on the bottle for a reason.

 

Or Decorah.

 

Bell's list a bottling date. Are you referring to a bottling date or are you factoring in the the listed shelf life on the bottle as well?

Mid-June bottling date would be acceptable. I would prefer something a bit fresher but I have bought similarly aged Two Hearted before without a second thought.

 

Some grocery's are like museums for beer. I too have seen founders in both grocery and bottle shop dated 7/12. NO, if it's past the date it's no good. No it's not ok 30 days after the best by date. In fact about 90 days from bottling max for an IPA. After that the beer separates like bad gravy among other things, turns sour, stale, flavor is degraded and it could also be flat and lifeless.

 

Same as others have stated. Bell's YES and Founders NO in this instance. Only beer I would buy that old from a store would be either a Stout or a Barleywine. A rye that old sounds nasty!

Side note... If constantly refrigerated, I have found Two Hearted to hold up very well over time. Enjoy!

 

I heart Two Hearted

 

Both Bells and Founders use bottled on dates

 

What I was about to say. Bell's lists a shelf life of 6 months for Two Hearted. Not sure about Founders, but probably in the 4-6 month range.

 

there are no dumb questions just.... never mind but if you cant find them anywhere else might as well pull the trigger

 

Yep. Drink it. Sure it isn't fresh but a great beer nonetheless.