Suppliers changing Best Before dates

[BrewMeHappy]

I'd say it is unacceptable too. I have brewed a few out of date kits without problem and I'm sure yours will be fine too. That's not the point though.

If they were advertised as such then that would be your descision to make when you bought them.

I'm not sure how many kits you get through but 10 kits would last me probably 2 years so bear that in mind that they will be much more out of date when you get to brew them.

 

[terrym]

The kits were the type with the plastic tamper proof lid (coopers/black rock type) you can't get the lids of in one piece. The yeast is under the lid and had no date on it, it just says refer to tin for date.

Coopers kit yeasts use the Julian dating system for when they were packaged. Every packet of Coopers kit yeast is stamped with a date using the Julian dating system. More on that here (taken from the Coopers site)

Why is the BEST BEFORE date on the can okay but the yeast is out of date?

The code on the yeast sachet is a Julian Date, representing the date that the yeast was packaged rather than a “Use By” or “Best Before” date. e.g. a sachet with 25007 was packaged on the 7th of September, which is the 250th day of 2007. While the beer kit, containing this yeast sachet, may have been produced on Thursday the 13th of September 2007, carrying a Best Before date of 13/09/09.

Will the brew be okay to make if the can is past the ‘Best Before’ date?

Coopers Beer Kits contain hopped liquid malt extract. Liquid malt extract darkens over time and develops toffee/molasses like aromas. This process is accelerated when temperature is increased. This is not such a bad thing with intentionally dark brews but may be undesirable with lighter styles. If you wish to persist with making up a brew past its Best Before date (out of curiosity or otherwise) it’s worth getting fresh yeast from a Brewing Specialist store to ensure that the brew ferments thoroughly.

And I have just bottled a Coopers Draught kit which had a BB date of Nov20, and the yeast was dated sometime in 3Q2018 and whereas the yeast was fine, the beer is definitely darker than I expected

 

[Joust]

Name and shame

I don't want to use a company like that.

 

[kelper]

Sorry but this is not a practical option. Couriers don't have the time to sit around on your doorstep whilst you inspect every item in a box to make sure you are happy with it.

Yes it is. Most couriers need a signature and will wait while you carry out a brief inspection of the goods, especially if they may be damaged. I have rejected a very few deliveries. But I was not suggesting you inspect every item. If you have ordered ten of something, you need only inspect one.

But naming and shaming is probably not a good idea. One misdemeanour should not cause a seller to get boycotted. There is the option to review the seller on many sites, such as Trustpilot.

 

[Clint]

Yes...I have rejected delivery of(obviously) damaged goods.
Plus..you have time to claim for faulty,damages or shortages..

 

[Clint]

Failing that... we'll send a social distancing posse down there and give them a damn good fist shaking at...

 

[Brasseur français]

Coopers kit yeasts use the Julian dating system for when they were packaged. Every packet of Coopers kit yeast is stamped with a date using the Julian dating system. More on that here (taken from the Coopers site)

Why is the BEST BEFORE date on the can okay but the yeast is out of date?

The code on the yeast sachet is a Julian Date, representing the date that the yeast was packaged rather than a “Use By” or “Best Before” date. e.g. a sachet with 25007 was packaged on the 7th of September, which is the 250th day of 2007. While the beer kit, containing this yeast sachet, may have been produced on Thursday the 13th of September 2007, carrying a Best Before date of 13/09/09.

Will the brew be okay to make if the can is past the ‘Best Before’ date?

Coopers Beer Kits contain hopped liquid malt extract. Liquid malt extract darkens over time and develops toffee/molasses like aromas. This process is accelerated when temperature is increased. This is not such a bad thing with intentionally dark brews but may be undesirable with lighter styles. If you wish to persist with making up a brew past its Best Before date (out of curiosity or otherwise) it’s worth getting fresh yeast from a Brewing Specialist store to ensure that the brew ferments thoroughly.

And I have just bottled a Coopers Draught kit which had a BB date of Nov20, and the yeast was dated sometime in 3Q2018 and whereas the yeast was fine, the beer is definitely darker than I expected

The kits are all Black Rock and the yeast is the same in the two or three I have opened. They have the following code B1600203C anybody know how to make sense of that?

 

[markq]

If you don't want to name and shame, maybe you could share this link with the supplier. If we take the supplier at their word that they're personally offended by your feeling cheated, then we can assume they're an honest person who doesn't realise how this would upset a large proportion of their potential customers. This should set that record straight.

If reading this thread offends the supplier further, that's on them and not you! Personally I would have been happy to receive such a kit so long as it was advertised as such upfront. Then I can decide whether it's worth the extra few quid for an in-date one or not.

 

[Brasseur français]

If you don't want to name and shame, maybe you could share this link with the supplier. If we take the supplier at their word that they're personally offended by your feeling cheated, then we can assume they're an honest person who doesn't realise how this would upset a large proportion of their potential customers. This should set that record straight.

If reading this thread offends the supplier further, that's on them and not you! Personally I would have been happy to receive such a kit so long as it was advertised as such upfront. Then I can decide whether it's worth the extra few quid for an in-date one or not.

This is a good idea and I might do it but first I have passed on details of this to the importers and Black Rock to see what they make of it. They obviously aren't going to reply till Monday so I would rather wait.

 

[Beebee31]

So....I think it’s sharp practice to re-date stuff but the malt extract wouldn't go off IMO.
If you have any issue with the brew, I’d send another snotty email and advise you’re disappointed that he altered BB dates.
If he still insists, you could point to the fact that various members of this forum have also expressed disappointment.....and leave it at that.
How he responds (or doesn’t) will influence whether you name and shame.....

obviously, keep all emails. :)

 

[Beebee31]

PS sorry I’m late to the party!