This week on Beer is a Conversation, Matt Kirkegaard is joined by Ian Watson from Brisbane’s Slipstream Brewing Company specifically to discuss brewed on dates on packaging.
This discussion arose after the recent Greg Koch conversation and feedback from listeners. We find out why Slipstream uses both a packaged on date and a best before date.
Ian invites Matt to taste the difference between a fresh brew and a beer that is several months old.
Share your feedback and suggestions.
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James Davidson says
March 31, 2018 at 7:40 pmExcellent episode. So good to hear from such a passionate Australian brewer who has a wealth of experience in the industry and is so straight up with his thoughts on all things beer. I’d love to hear from the otherside of the argument, from Australian independent brewers who do put a 12 month date on their products, especially those selling to big box chains. No doubt, there must be a point where increasing production volumes require small brewer businesses to need to consider selling to big box retail chains that have a requirement for 12 month BB dates. Is there a happy medium between dealing with “big business” (and keeping your small brewing business viable for the long term) and craft beer quality? (Without growth, can you afford to continually reinvest into your brewery business? Without growth, evolution or reinvestment, surely small indie breweries will go stale, become irrelevant and die. Where will be find a balance between good beer and good business?)
This comment was sparked by my purchase of Nomad IPA and XPA cans from a big box chain today. Those cans have a 12 month date on them (BB 01/2019 and 02/2019).
PS – still loving the podcast. No need to send me merch… I am a sponsor after all.
Ben Stewart says
April 2, 2018 at 7:52 pmThat’s actually a really good point, I would like to hear the other side of it, if anyone is willing, Ian does make a really good point of it being about selling beer you’re proud of not just fresh off the line but for a period after in stores.
Craig says
April 4, 2018 at 11:34 amI picked up a 4 pack of the slipstream IPA the other day loved the fact it had a best before and a canned on. A factor in any beer purchase I make. Great episode from a passionate brewer. I loved the beer by the way and it was a pleasant surprise to find out you were interviewing slipstream a few days after picking up the beer.