How often do you check bottling dates?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by JFMBearcat, Jul 20, 2015.

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  1. bowzer4birdie

    bowzer4birdie Grand Pooh-Bah (3,796) Aug 16, 2012 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    Perfect...
     
  2. Chcshammonde

    Chcshammonde Initiate (0) Sep 20, 2014 California

    Very important for IPA's and similar styles. Because of BA I started checking dates - it made a difference for me on a few of my shelf staples. However, I once 'aged' an IPA because I had it fresh and did not like it, but had one leftover and refused to throw it away. So, i stuck it in the back of my fridge. Said beer was Heelch O Hops. Opened it last weekend (over 8 months old) and it was, incredibly, pretty damn enjoyable. I don't have an explanation for this and don't expect people to understand. But it happened. It was good enough that I'm thinking of changing my original rating, which was low.

    Aside from that I stick with fresh IPA's lol.
     
  3. HeislerGold

    HeislerGold Zealot (577) Oct 19, 2013 Michigan

    I always check bottle dates on year-round beers and seasonals that are approaching the end of their window. I'm much less vigilant about checking dates on newly distributed seasonals and specialty beers.
     
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  4. dennis3951

    dennis3951 Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2008 New Jersey

  5. pat61

    pat61 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2010 Minnesota

    You are one of the few who gets it. Thanks!. As a consumer I check every beer that has a date on it.
     
  6. YamBag

    YamBag Initiate (0) Feb 2, 2007 Pennsylvania

    Always for IPAs, Pale Ales and try to stay within 6 weeks max from bottle date. I'm not as strict for lagers.
     
  7. Apellonious

    Apellonious Pooh-Bah (1,814) Oct 25, 2008 North Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Not as often as I need to, but more often than I used to. Good example of the former: just saw some Firestone Double Jack for the first time ever so I picked it up with no second thoughts. Turns out to be from 10/31/2014. Still good, but by no means fresh.
     
  8. Black_Rider

    Black_Rider Pooh-Bah (2,019) Mar 26, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah

    this
     
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  9. surfcaster

    surfcaster Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2013 North Carolina
    Trader

    Where I get 95%+ of my beer, the owner and two other guys who tend the register would not let me walk out with out of date beer so never think to look.

    Anywhere else--the other 5%--yep, I check.
     
  10. Nmelione

    Nmelione Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2014 New Jersey

    Every single beer I contemplate buying
     
  11. WesMantooth

    WesMantooth Grand Pooh-Bah (4,844) Jan 8, 2014 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I have pretty much got to the point where I won't buy beer without some sort of date. Rajah being the exception. I just wait until I see new cases sitting on the floor (which are stamped)
     
  12. pinyin

    pinyin Savant (1,119) Sep 19, 2013 New York

    I check every time now, especially with ales and lager.

    No bottling date, then I don't purchase that brand.
    I stopped buying most Victory product like Dirtwolf for instance because they only put an enjoy by date as opposed to a bottled on date. Even the ridiculous, coded, julian dating is still more efficient than an enjoy by date.

    If it's a newer release like Sour Monkey or Kirsch Gose I will generally buy it because I know it's new and is on a dedicated endcap at a store that deals with the brand frequently, but there are number of other stores in my area that have outdated product on the shelf because the Victory Reps don't visit these locations or they haven't properly trained the sales staff how to rotate the stock or sell the product.

    I refuse to spend my money on outdated product.
     
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  13. 1ale_man

    1ale_man Initiate (0) Apr 25, 2015 Texas

    Craft beer in my area is still pretty new. Like 5 years new. More and more liquor stores and grocery stores are now selling craft beer. I rarely look at date codes. Probably should. If I did, I wouldn't drink near as much beer as I do. It is getting way better, but turnover is slow. You should thank your lucky stars if you live where craft breweries are everywhere. My 2cents. Please enjoy your fresh beer.
     
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  14. Ipaupaweallpa

    Ipaupaweallpa Savant (1,022) Dec 26, 2014 Alabama
    Trader

    Always. At my local shop, I even check out other beers inventory on every visit to keep track of when fresh is about to come in or if I can catch something within 2 weeks or so super fresh.
     
  15. Sound_Explorer

    Sound_Explorer Grand Pooh-Bah (3,044) Dec 29, 2013 Washington
    Pooh-Bah

    Mostly when adding them to my aging list. Otherwise only when I pick up an IPA typically. Long as the bottle isn't coated in dust I'm usually ok with it lol.
     
  16. Nordbier

    Nordbier Initiate (0) Sep 24, 2013 Georgia

    In concert with the vociferous masses: every time. Still confounded by craft breweries that eschew the all-important bottle date.
     
  17. KingBiscuit

    KingBiscuit Initiate (0) May 30, 2005 Illinois

    Every five minutes.
     
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  18. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Was in small town with good Goose Island distribution, when I grabbed a 4 pack for Bourbon County, I also grabbed some Sophia and Pepe Nero, which were both > 1 year old, which was nice because that means they already had a little age on them
     
  19. Scott17Taylor

    Scott17Taylor Initiate (0) Oct 28, 2013 Iowa
    Trader

    I only check on hoppy beers. If its something that ages well I really don't care until I go to drink it.
     
  20. lomeister

    lomeister Crusader (439) Jul 25, 2006 Massachusetts

    Only when it's a beer I think might be seasonal and it seems off-season. Or if it's a place that's new for me and I don't really trust it. Or if it's something obscure that I think might not turn over very fast.

    But usually I don't check.
     
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