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Sierra Nevada date codes, decoded

Sierra Nevada prints a packaging date on every can and bottle in DDDYY + facility format. Use this page to decode your code instantly and check if your beer is still fresh.

Format
DDDYY + facility
Date Type
Pack date
Location
Chico, CA
Founded
1980
Example: 12325M1May 3, 2025 (facility M1). 5-digit Julian + facility code on bottom of can or shoulder of bottle.
Decode your Sierra Nevada beer
Date code from the can/bottle
Beer style
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How to read Julian + facility codes

The first 5 digits encode the Julian date (DDDYY), and any letters/digits after identify the production facility. 12325M1 means day 123 of 2051 (which is May 3, 2025 (facility M1)) at facility M1. Different facilities can produce the same beer with slightly different profiles.

Sierra Nevada's code is a Pack date — the date the beer was packaged, drink within a window after

Where to find the date code on Sierra Nevada cans and bottles

On Sierra Nevada cans, the date code is stamped on the bottom of the can. Look at the can upside-down — the code is typically printed in light-colored ink and may be hard to spot in low light. 5-digit Julian + facility code on bottom of can or shoulder of bottle.

How long is Sierra Nevada beer fresh?

Sierra Nevada 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 Sierra Nevada

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