Sam Smith

[Jeff]

Everybody seems to complain about the green bottled beers (Pislner Urquell for example). But why does Sam Smith bottle in clear bottles? Given, I haven't noticed any off flavors, but I haven't had too many either.

[steveh]

Their lighter colored beers will suffer the effects of light quickly. Nothin' like a skunky pale ale, but if you let it breathe some, it'll dissipate.

S.

[davesarman]

I would say the biggest factor is how the merchants care for the beer. I've had all the Sam Smith beers and have never had a problem, but then the place where I buy my beer takes good care of the beer. All in coolers, no big flourescent lights shining down on the beer 24/7. They'll even get beer from the back for you or from an upopened case if you ask for it. On the other hand, I've bought beers at stores where the care is noticebly absent and the taste does suffer. I guess this is a plug for supporting the merchants that know what to do with the beer and for telling those that don't that it's noticeable and you'd like them to change.

[barley ben]

I have to say, I really haven't thought about it. The store I usually buy from keeps their Sam Smith's out on a shelf and it is always fresh tasting. I'm drinking an India Ale right now that I know has been sitting on the shelves for several weeks. They just stated selling them and they have several cases of each just sitting out in the light. Oh well, it tastes good so I guess I'll have to drink it!!

[jlttb]

Having a Winter Welcome now, and it certainly hasn't suffered!
At some beer distributors I see pallets of cases of macrobrews sitting outdoors, even in the summer. That's just bad on so many levels. Yet people seem to go for it...

[steveh]

Originally posted by jlttb
At some beer distributors I see pallets of cases of macrobrews sitting outdoors, even in the summer.

Whoa, that's just wrong. These same distributors don't happen to also distribute A-B products, do they? I've heard many stories of A-B extortion toward distributors of their product that also carry micros. It wouldn't surprise me if the outdoor storage was deliberate sabotage.

S.

[chazwicke]

I too suspect this. Many a micro brewing good beer has gone out of business as a result of not being able to get shelf space. No matter how good their beer was. No exposure means no sales. That is one of the reasons I dispise the three tiered distribution systems that are the rule in most states.

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I too suspect this. Many a micro brewing good beer has gone out of business as a result of not being able to get shelf space. No matter how good their beer was. No exposure means no sales. That is one of the reasons I dispise the three tiered distribution systems that are the rule in most states.

That's why, IMO homebrew is one of the best ways to introduce others to "good" beer. There's nobody in the middle screwing the beer up and giving the drinking audience an incorrect perception of different styles.

[jlttb]

No, it's usually pallets of Bud or Miller or Coors (often shrink-wrapped in clear plastic--that must keep em nice and warm!) stacked outside of the beer distributors--not the good stuff.

[chazwicke]

Keep in mind that many of the imports sit on the deck of ships and on the docks and in warehouses for some time before they ever reach your local shop. I am certain that exposure to light and temperature differences occur regularly. Good thing most brews have a 3-4 month shelf life.

[steveh]

Originally posted by jlttb
No, it's usually pallets of Bud or Miller or Coors (often shrink-wrapped in clear plastic--that must keep em nice and warm!) stacked outside of the beer distributors--not the good stuff.

Duh, you did say MACRObrews, I see - read it as MICRObrews, sorry.

S.

[stronk]

I had some nut brown the other day (first time tasting it) and it tasted excessively metallic, with no real flavour or subtlety. Is it possible that this could have arisen from inappropriate storage, or is it likely to have been just that it was the last beer (of six smallish portions) I was tasting that session?

[barley ben]

I'm drinking an India Ale right now that I know has been sitting on the shelves for several weeks.

It's been a while, kept forgetting to add to my previous statement. I realized after I wrote this that the IPA was in a brown bottle, not clear. Guess thats why it was ok!

[steveh]

Originally posted by stronk
I had some nut brown the other day (first time tasting it) and it tasted excessively metallic, with no real flavour or subtlety. Is it possible that this could have arisen from inappropriate storage, or is it likely to have been just that it was the last beer (of six smallish portions) I was tasting that session?

Sounds like old beer to me.

S.

[ratman03]

I read somewhere that Sam Smith puts something in the glass
that protects the beer from the effects of light. I cannot confirm
this, but has anybody heard of it?

[fretlessman71]

Doesn't seem to be working if they do....