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Goose Island date codes, decoded

Goose Island prints a best-by date on every can and bottle in MM/DD/YY format. Use this page to decode your code instantly and check if your beer is still fresh.

Format
MM/DD/YY
Date Type
Best-by date
Location
Chicago, IL
Founded
1988
Example: 10/15/26October 15, 2026. BCBS variants are dated by vintage year on label.
Decode your Goose Island beer
Date code from the can/bottle
Beer style
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How to read MM/DD/YY date codes

Standard American date format: month, then day, then year. 10/15/26 reads as October 15, 2026. Watch for European prints that use DD/MM/YY — usually noted by an explicit label or the location of the brewery.

Goose Island's code is a Best-by date — drink before this date for peak quality

Where to find the date code on Goose Island cans and bottles

On Goose Island packaging, the date code is typically found on the bottom of cans or on the bottle neck. Some bottles also print it on the back label. BCBS variants are dated by vintage year on label.

How long is Goose Island beer fresh?

Goose Island produces a range of styles, each with its own drinking window. For their most common categories:

These are guidelines, not laws — well-stored beer can outperform the curve, while heat-abused cans can stale much faster than expected. Storage temperature matters as much as age for hop-forward styles.

Where to buy Goose Island

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