date stamp

[brady]

Does anyone know how the date stamp works for Miller? I just bought a keg of Miller Lite stamped 2/19/07. Today is 1/30/07. Do I really only have 3 weeks to finish it? Usually it takes us 2-4 weeks for 1/2 barrell, but with football season ending and summer still a bit off, I am wondering if the beer will make it. It is hard to find 1/4 where I am and then they are only $15 cheaper.
Thanks for the input.

[mctripj]

SAB Miller's date coding:
type of code: pull date (date the product expires)
shelf life: draught beer - 60 days from pakaging
location of code: keg cover and label on side of keg
dating method: month/day/year

code:
01267
B80985
01=month, i.e., january
26=day, i.e., 26th day of the month
7=last digit of the year, i.e., 2007
B=day of the week produced
8=location produced
0985=product information, i.e., line, time in 15-minute increments

[psychodad]

I've kept kegs as long as 12 weeks with only a minor degradation of flavor.

[Scott Zuhse]

Most domestic draft beer is non-pasteurized resulting in relatively short shelf life (ave. - 60 days). Imports are pasteurized and hence have a much longer shelf life. Normally three months or more.

Of course this is personal preference. If your palate enjoys a non pasteurized draft beer that has had a significant flavor change due to bacteria growth, all the power to you!