Question, loosely relates to trading. I’ve got regular trade partners and see Czech Pilsners and dark layers available. Seems like a good add-on for a trade. Not sure if I should buy them and possibly hold them in the fridge for a month or three, or not. I understand with ipa’s, for example you want them as fresh as possible. Just haven’t been able to find good info online as far as how fresh a lager should be.
I think consuming within 3 months is a good rule, if refrigerated. That’s what Suarez says and I trust them with lagers more than just about anyone.
Assuming the breweries have quality packaging and that you're talking about throwing them in as extras I would.think up to 6 months is fine. Pilsener maybe a little more delicate depending on how much the enjoyment of it rests on the hop aroma/flavor. 3 or 4 months seems to be the general guidelines that breweries put on their product
I think this is all good advice. Personally, I want my pils and Dortmunder to be as fresh as possible, as I do think the hop profile drops off fairly quickly with those styles. Not that they go bad (they don't), but part of what I enjoy is the fresh hop character in those beers. Otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a lager that was 5 or 6 months old (assuming it's been properly stored).
IMHO a lager if properly done is ready to drink when packaged and doesn't get any better after that. I just enjoyed an aU Ungespundet Kellerbier by Mahr's Brau https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/428/2412/ with an enjoy by date of 9-16-2020. Assuming the Germans use a 6 month freshness date as I have heard this was packaged on 3-16-2020. I will say it was superior to other older versions I have had.
Thanks for the advice. These would be from SARA and Moonlight, so I think they’re high quality anyway. They’re freshly canned now and refrigerated.
Fresh beer is good beer. One of the reasons I try to drink local. Before the pandemic I did most of my drinking at Breweries for that very reason. As others have pointed out, they don't go bad, but they will lose there hoppiness. I've had my mind changed many times after having a beer on tap that I've had in the past whether import or local craft. Cheers!
