Down the drain...

[Kealia]

Nothing I brewed, fortunately.

But, I'm pouring out 4 bottles of Easy Jack. I didn't look at the date on the bottles when I bought them - 2/15/15. Wow, that's 6 months old.

The first one I had tasted "off". Like the hops had not only faded but changed. I thought maybe it was my taste buds (I hadn't noticed the date at this point). The second one a few nights later was definitely off. Interestingly enough, it almost tastes like a saison now. I have limited tastes for that style and this wasn't in the small realm that I like so the remaining 4 are going to be poured out.

Good reminder to check bottle dates.

Rats.

[mashani]

[Pudge]

A very good tip indeed.

I picked up a variety case of Victory Brewing beers to try Victory for the first time a couple years back. I really didn't see what the fuss was as the beers seemed flat... and yes old. That was a sizable chunk of change for outdated brew.

[MadBrewer]

I see it all the time. I have liquor store near me with a good selection. But your selection means nothing it it is not fresh. Ive seen bottles with dust on them who would buy that. Bad part is there is not always a date to go by.

[Beer-lord]

Not many put dates on bottles or case packs so it's hard to really know. The store and distributor is responsible for taking outdated beers from the shelves but we know not everyone really cares.

[BlackDuck]

Yikes....that's a bummer. You should go back to the store and demand a refund or replacement of fresher beer.

[Brewbirds]

If something like that happens should/we (if it happens to others) try and make contact with the brewery??

I take and produce back to the store all the time but I wouldn't know how to contact the producers of those products but I would think a craft brewery would want to know of any bad experience that occurred after they released it to their distributors.

[Kealia]

Yikes....that's a bummer. You should go back to the store and demand a refund or replacement of fresher beer.

I thought about it, BUT:
1) I didn't keep the receipt (who does??)
2) It's really not that close to me so the drive wouldn't be worth it for me to go back anyway

This is one of the better stores in the area (that I do get to on occasion) and their selection is awesome. I've never had issues with them before but will be more mindful going forward. Once bitten, twice shy.

[swenocha]

Ive seen bottles with dust on them who would buy that.

Actually, you can find some dusty treasures at some bottle shops. It really depends on the style. Yes, what everyone is saying is true for everyday beers. For instance, I was really peeved (and texted Neil a pic) when I saw a large grocery putting Yazoo Fall Lager out on the shelves earlier than I knew it was going to be bottled/distroed. Of course, it was leftover last year beer. But for big RISs and sours and other aging styles, don't fear the dust! I've found some really old bottles of some of these styles that age really well. Of course, I have to notice the conditions of the shop to see if I'll buy them... are the bottles near the windows or a heat/light source, for instance. But, if it's a place that I don't think would really know better, I have a few times asked if they'd discount because the dates were past expiration, and they have sometimes granted that. I got 20% off of a variety of quality stouts and sours just this summer in that situation (and they weren't really that far past). Regardless, I agree wholeheartedly with the commentary on this thread, but wanted to point out that there are always exceptions.

[RickBeer]

Yikes....that's a bummer. You should go back to the store and demand a refund or replacement of fresher beer.

I thought about it, BUT:
1) I didn't keep the receipt (who does??)

I keep all receipts. Use Quicken to track every penny. Know exactly what comes in and what goes out every year for decades.

[Stinkfist]

You can actually ask Firestone for a refund. I did that with some out of date mirror pond I bought, contacted deschutes and they sent me a refund for the 6 pack. The distributors are supposed to remove old product from the shelves and breweries like to know when and where that is not happening, they appreciate being told about it, they def do not want people not getting their best product, it hurts them a lot more than the beer store.

[RickBeer]

This ^^^^

[Kealia]

That's a good point. I'll contact them and let them know. It's less a bout a refund and more about wanting to give them some feedback to keep their best foot forward. Now if they want to send me a refund, so be it.

I went elsewhere today and picked up a fresh 6-pack of cans.

[Kealia]

And the moon and stars aligned and all was right in the world once more...

[Beer-lord]

What a beautiful dog.......and the beer looks pretty good too.
Isn't it amazing how good beers in cans taste now that they've gotten it down and there's no aluminum taste anymore?