The independent consumer guide to beer product dating.
The independent consumer guide to beer product
dating.
Why are there are so many breweries in Rochester? Because most of them are undercover subsidiaries of
Genesee Highfalls. It's rather annoying, actually.
If you want some more information about beer in New York, I like the the New York City Beer Guide.
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This one might confuse you. J.W. Dundee's Honey Brown Lager was actually brewed by Genesee -- Dundee's brewery was just a front. It's a closed down front, however, because bottles of Dundee's currently claim to originate from The High Falls Brewery (which is Genesee with a new name). I told you it was confusing.
Dundee didn't put production dates on their product for most of its existence. Those later bottles that do have dates use same dating system as the Highfalls Brewery. All bottles labeled as originating from Dundee's Brewery should be past date by now, anyway.
An independent brewery that closed in 1980, Fred Koch later became a subsidiary of Genessee used to brew just three beers: Koch's Golden Anniversary Beer, Koch's Golden Anniversary Light Beer, and Koch's Golden Anniversary Ice Beer. I assume these brands used the regular Genessee dating system. As with Dundee's Brewery, all bottles labeled as originating from Fred Koch should be past date by now, anyway.
Through the end of 1996, Genesee's products had a DDDY bottling date. Sometime in 1997, they appear to have switched to a DDDY expiration date. In December of 2000, Genesee changed its name to High Falls Brewery: any beer still labeled as originating from Genesse Brewing is definitely past date.
Genesee's manufacturer number is 70310.
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High Falls was originally a subsidiary of Genesee used to produce J.W. Dundee's Honey Brown Lager® and Michael Shea's Ales; in December of 2000, the parent company was rechristened with the subsidiary's name. Now, as then, the first four digits of the production code are a DDDY expiration date and the manufacturer number is 70310.
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Hiram Walker's Kahlúa Combos mixed liquer drinks have a production code stamped on the sides of their bottles; the first four digits represent a bottling date, Julian format, year leading.
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Entry updated 16 January 2002. Also known as the "F.X. Matt Brewing Company", the brewers of Saranac stamp an 8-digit production code on the shoulder of their bottles. According to their website's FAQ, the first four digits are a bottling date in DDDY format.
(Matt Brewing also contract-brews Rhino Chasers for the William Scott Company. The last time I saw a bottle of Rhino Chasers (in 1997), it didn't have a date on it.)
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The brewers of Whiteface Pale Ale have stamp two blocks of four digits on the shoulders of their bottles, i.e, 5089 2268. I think the second block is a DDDY bottling date.
North Country's manufacturer number is 11546.
Well actually, the brewery is located in Stevens Point. But either way, look for a Julian brewing date, year-trailing on the bottle shoulder.
This imitation microbrewery was actually a subsidiary of Genesee used solely to brew the Michael Shea's Ales, eventually replaced by the Highfalls Brewery. Whatever. Shea's Brewery used Genesee's product dates and manufacturer number.
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Sun Country® wine coolers do not have product dates.
The makers of Utica Club put a Julian date, year-trailing (i.e. 1665) on the bottom of each can. I think that's a packaging date.
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Beer Dies! is the independent consumer guide to beer product dating. It is not owned, operated, affiliated with, or endorsed by any brewery or brewing company. In other words, if you want to send e-mail to a beer company, don't send it to me. "J.W. Dundee's Original Honey Brown Lager" is a registered trademark of Highfalls Brewing. "Sun Country" is a registered trademark of Sun Country Cellars.
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