I don't know if kegged DJ has different distribution patterns than the bottles, but at my local places they only seem to get it fresh two or three times per year. Some shops in Boston are just now getting bottles from a March batch (previously all of the ones I saw were from mid-February.) I love the hell out of that beer (and Union Jack) - I just wish we saw fresh shipments more often.
I've given up finding fresh bottles. It seems they hit the stores with at least 2 months on them. It's very frustrating because it's a top notch DIPA. It's still good stuff, you just know you missed it's true flavors.
I feel as if I've never had fresh DJ or UJ. The only time I purchased a bottle of something hoppy from them, it was a 3-month old bottle of DJ I took a chance on. I wasn't super impressed but chalked it up to its non-ideal age. I've since tried both DJ and UJ on tap multiple times at various places and it seems like I never get a fresh pour. Either that or those beers just don't impress me much (though they're not bad) because my expectations are too high given their scores on here. FWIW, I had DJ on tap sorta recently at the BBC in Walpole and had UJ at the Yardhouse a couple weeks ago at Legacy place in Dedham.
Found fresh UJ and Pale 31 at Wine Emporium a couple months ago. I had never had Pale 31 before... absolutely delicious. I'd buy it by the case if I could. Of course, the same batch of UJ is still sitting in the cooler there at this very moment.
When UJ first got here a few years ago it was 2 weeks old & delicious. Since then the New England beer distribution chain has reared its ugly head, resulting in stale beer all over. A shame, UJ is one of my favorite beers when fresh. I had stale UJ draft last week too. Resigned myself to only drinking it when I travel out west. Wonder whatever happened with FW contract brewing @ 2 Roads?
Just realizing though... I've luck with Wookey Jack. Had a fresh bottle once and also a fresh-tasting tap pour in Salem. Wookey and Stone SSR really top the black ipa list for me.
Last October I remember picking up week old DJ 4pks and 3 week old UJ 6pks. But every other shipment is closer to 6 weeks old.
Back in late winter the first of the DJ four packs hit NH - they were a 2/14 batch and were well under a month old - they crazy good. Some shops in the area are still (not) selling the old bottles with the invisible ink dating on the neck. way back when after I picked up a bottle and then put it down after inspecting it one guy at a local convenience store was adamant that beers don't have an expiration date that that because it was said "Reserve" on the label meant that the IIPA was meant to be drank with age. I politely let him know about hoppy beers and age but he was a non-believer (and I am now a non-shopper.) I've reported a number of cases of way out of date beer on the FW website form but have yet to see anything come from that.
Yeah - I figure there are lots of places where it could fail (brewery, distributor and retailer) - since there's so much of the old stuff just sitting due to age someone would end up eating a lot of $ in taking back old beer. It's almost as if they might want to consider releasing less to distributors at a time, and brew it more frequently in smaller batches, but I'm sure there are lots of logistical reasons why that wouldn't be doable (e.g. big beers like that can tie up production systems longer than lower gravity beers.) At least when the beer does hit fresh it's crazy good and consistent from batch to batch. Do What's Right.
Track 84 celebrating IPA Day for sure: Double Jack and RuinTen on tap per list dated yestetday. Also Uinta Labyrinth Black Ale if you prefer an Impy Stout.
Kappy's in medford has UJ at about 5 weeks right now, if anyone is nearby. Just an FYI. Too bad 5 weeks is worth reporting on, but it's uber fresh compared to most spots. Unfortunately the DoubleJack was from like April or something. Cheers!
Not exactly what OP was looking for but since the thread turned toward the lack of fresh FW in general, I'll use it as a "fresh FW sightings" thread for those who care to have such information. 9/14 UJ at Wine Emporium on Tremont. Double Jack is still dusty.
I've never tried Double Jack, but it's very high on my list. I've held off on buying because trying this beer at 6 months old would not do it justice. Looking forward to having some fresh in California when I head out there for the holidays.
