I spotted a six pack of stone IPA at a local gas station,was excited to see it priced at only $8.99. I searched for a bottle date but to no avail,picked up the bottle so light could pass through it,still nothing. I did this with two separate bottles. How long ago did Stone begin dating their bottles?Where on bottle can I find the date?Is it possible the dates had rubbed off because they were old? I searched their website and found no info on dating.
the dates are engraved on the neck, so they could not have been rubbed off. They can be tough to see I typically dry the neck of a bottle with my shirt and search for it holding it up to any light.
The bottle date is always on the neck of the bottle and usually you do have to get the right angle to see it clearly.
Here's their webpage for date code info http://www.stonebrew.com/freshbeer/ Seems I recall that the dates used to be near the bottom of the bottle.
They bottle date on the neck, and they have done that for quite some time. It's engraved like the rest of the label so I don't believe it could have been rubbed off. I feel like I have seen random bottles that don't have dates, but have never been unsuccessful in finding a date on more than one (and I may have just missed it on the other).
I have found them easy to spot, myself. Also keep in mind that the newer IPA sixer holders look different, they have a dark background. The date is an 'Enjoy By' which is 90 days out for the hoppy beers, and 120 days for the smoked porter/sublimely self righgteous. The ones in my local shop are dated mid November, so are from mid-August- they have been getting some serious consideration from me this week.
Ok ,thank you for the replies,I will dry/wipe the bottle next time,will try again.Haven't had a Stone IPA in YEARS!Well overdue for a revisit!
Sometimes the date on the neck can in fact be obscured or blurred. I've found entire Stone sixpacks that had dates I couldn't read. But usually their dates are clearer and more comprehensible than many. Also, after using their site to reporting some old dusty beer on the shelves of my stupid redneck beer store (museum), the local rep actually got in touch with me. So they're definitely on the ball.
