Even though I've been talking about expiration dates the entire time, the truth is that many breweries label their products with packaging dates. Many foreign breweries claim their products have a 1 year shelf life. Expiration Dates , on the other hand, are exactly what they sound like, and put a lot less of the work on the consumer. More breweries are switching to expiration dates at time progresses. If today's date is later than the date on your beer, the beer is past date, and its quality may be questionable.
Bottles usually have the production code stamped on the neck or shoulder , usually in black ink.
Since most beer bottles are brown, it helps to hold the bottle up to a bright light, or empty it first. A few breweries, notably Anheuser-Busch and the Boston Brewing Company , put dates on the labels. Good for them. Cans are nigh-universally stamped on the bottom of the can. Remember to turn the can over before opening it.