Sierra Nevada Torpedo Can Issues

Is there any freshness dating on these?
I know it's not an issue right now, but 6-8 months down the road it will be a concern.

And while I'm at it, why doesn't Sierra Nevada just print an easy to read, user friendly "bottled on" date on the regular 6 pack beers? (i'm aware of the Julian dating, it's just annoying to figure it out)

 

Yes, there is freshness dating on the cans. It's on the can bottom, using the same Julian code we have on the bottles.
We like the code we use because it tells us a lot more information than just the date. (the specific line it ran on, the time of day it was packaged) the codes are easier for our quality department to use an analyze all the necessary data on our side if there ever is a complaint.

Also, the cardboard cartons that cans come in (and 12-pack and 24 pack bottles too for that matter) have a normal date printed on them. That said, there are some 8000 cases worth of Torpedo cans on the market now that read 09/02/2012 on the carton, but should ready 02/09/2012... that's a mistake on our end.

 

I know the standard brewery response is that "our dating system works best for us" which I'm not doubting to be true. But, it's really not best for the customer.

Oskar Blues seems to have a pretty cool system where they can print whatever they want, information for customers, information for employees, or just a funny joke.

 

You could have just sent them to Europe and no one would have known it was a mistake.

 

That is actually the exact issue. Our canning line was manufactured in Europe and we set the date code not thinking of the day/month switch. Live and learn!

 

How widely distributed are the Torpedo cans to date? Ii just picked up a case of bottles here in SE PA.

 

I've killed multiple 4 packs to date and the only difference I've noticed is that the cans retain more hops aromas, for obvious reasons. As for the price, I don't mind paying a few cents more per ounce for hoppy beer that never sees sunlight. That's what I'm paying for when I buy cans. I'll add though, that I'd prefer to see SNPA in sixers of tallboys and Torpedo in sixers of 12oz'ers.
Cans are the shit.

 

I picked up a case of Torpedo cans and loved every drop.

Also, to the people who are saying that cans are a bad deal compared to the bottles, you probably don't know that the 4-pack is comprised of 16 ounce cans. And $10.99 a twelve pack? That just sounds like you found a really nice retailer, and shouldn't be considered into the value of the 4-pack.

 

The only issue I have is that in my market, seeing it AND the bottles are not likely to happen. Very limited shelf space here..

 

at least all you complainers can get the cans. Ido not care about cans Inam just pissed that the freshest Torpedo we have is 10/7/11 and pale is 12/11/11 so stop complaining about your cans and just enjoy!

 

Exactly. Who cares about the format when freshness is what matters most?

 

My only issue with the Torpedo cans is that I currently do not have any in my fridge. I think tallboys are great, especially for IPAs. Sometimes I just want more than a 12-ounce bottle/can, but I don't feel like drinking two. Solution = pint.

 

I'm really digging the 16oz cans. I think the 16oz/.5l size is perfect for IPA's. Although the cans were 50cents more at my local store they qualified for the 1 dollar off coupon so they came out cheaper in the end. The store in question buys a boatload of Torpedo in bottles so they probably get a great deal.

 

Does SN plan on releasing any of it's other beers in cans?

 

Right now, there are no plans for any new brands...next year, though, who knows? We'll have to see how things go.

 

So I just bought a six-pack of the Torpedo, and the Bottle code is 118221442. Based on the SN webpage here: http://www.sierranevada.com/images/bottlecode2011.pdf

I translate this as:

1=2011
182 = 182nd day of 2011, or around July 1st.
2 = Bottling line 2
1442 = 2:42 PM Pacific time.

But that can't be correct, can it? That's some really old torpedo, so help me out with my mistake.

 

Are you talking about the cans?

 

No, I couldn't find those, so I bought a six-pack of the bottles. The posts above about the dating system made me curious about the age of my 12-oz. bottles. Did I calculate incorrectly?

 

nope that sounds right...my ruthless in front of me is dated 2057XXXXX

i think you just have some really old bottles

 

I love tubing during the summer. Now because of the Torpedo cans it just got a whole lot better.