Old Firestone Walker bottles everywhere

This really doesn't affect Pliny either way, IMO, because Pliny doesn't work through distribution. People forget that sometimes a pallet of beer could sit in a regional warehouse for 2-3 weeks before it even hits a retailer. So, you are looking at 45 day old beer by the time it hits the shelf. That is why you see all of the WC breweries opening up a satellite brewery on the EC or MW.

 

i bought a wookey jack just 2 weeks ago bottled on 6/26, it said consume within 120 days, luckily i noticed it before i opened it and took it back, when i went to grab another, they were all passed the enjoy by date

 

I don't usually drink their standard beers, I just wish their limited release stuff made it to my area at all. I got DBA once, never seen Parabola, missed Sucaba (only one store had it, 6 bottles), Velvet Merkin was a myth, and even though I managed to get XVII last year XVIII is nowhere to be found this year.
I've heard stories of other areas where even Parabola sits on shelves...if only.

 

Its only been recently that I was finally able to taste a "fresh" ipa from FW. I see bottles everywhere here in NYC but its always embarassingly old.

I hunkered down and found a good 3 spots that will have bottles just under 2 months old (best I can get). Good God now I finally understand the fuss about Union Jack, I dont have enough good things to say about it.

 

My local bodega in Northern Manhatten usually has less than 2 month old Union Jack. I bought some last night dated 10/30. I work hard to make sure they constantly go through it as quick as possible!

 

That is illegal by the contract they were "supposed" to make with distributors of stone... I read an article once that said the stores were supposed to pull the enjoy by the date it goes off... HMMM???!!! maybe that article wasnt true

 

I'm a big Firestone Walker fan, but agree with many others on here, locally it seems they are always month old on the shelf so I haven't purchased 6 packs of their pales / IPAs. My guess if I was in Cali this would be regular brew for me during summer

 

I would be happy to take some of that old firestone here in Vermont.

 

Other than Enjoy By, the kegging/ enjoy by date of what you'll get isn't advertised when you're setting up an order, other than assuming new seasonals will be fresh. I guess if you were a hawk you could reject stuff at receiving after taking a peek but, that would make the rep/driver LOVE you.

My point was that kegged beer doesn't really degrade, IME. IIPAs/ G'Knight / MAine beer Co, all taste like the freshest bottle ever, everytime. We saved a bcbbw 1/6 for 9 months and it was still as hot, and great, as the kegs we ran when we got them the previous december.

 

the reason you guys are seeing 6 moth old product is because you are too obsessed with dates to buy the 2 month old stuff! Its your own damn fault. Double Jack holds up pretty darn well when treated properly. Also, if I am not mistaken FW distributors ship and store the beer cold, and that makes a huge difference. If your local just happens to suck at life, find a new local!

 

Let me know if ya find any FW 13 or FW 14 on the shelf.

 

Not true. MO distro puts it out 3 mos + post bottling. Disappointing local problem in KC.

 

then they are buying too much at once, and should be shot. It doesn't help that nobody buys it at 3 months because it is still in code till 120 days if am not mistaken

 

Amazing! I've been wanting to try this one, and that Joe Canal's is my go-to. Good research scientist. I think I'll pick some up soon.

 

I remember the good day when wookey Jack hit in 4 packs - new packaging, old product. Sad times.

 

I'm drinking a 10-30-14 Double Jack right now and I think these hold up well for at least two months. My preferred bottle store, Grapevine in Denver, probably got these in late November and has stored the cases cold since then. They're running a sale on all FW so these are 9.99 a 4 pack all month; and I've kept mine cold since purchase. Been thru two cases so far with a third to go. So with that caveat, I don't think these fall off as fast as, say, Sucks.

 

Just about every sixpack from Firestone Walker and Stone @ the bevmo on Foothill Blvd in Pasadena were past their "best by" dates .... buyers beware.

 

If only you had a venue to trade for such beers...

 

Can Firestone Walker just open a brewery in the Midwest or East already, even if it just produces their hoppy stuff, I would be happy. It seems to be working well for Lagunitas.

 

I can't believe shops are nervous about pissing off distributors by refusing old beer. Imagine your chain supermarkets allowing bread vendors to deliver 3-day old bread.....