The Alchemist prints a pack date 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.
FreshieCanned 04/01/26 — Heady Topper instructions: 'Drink from the can. Drink fresh.'Standard American date format: month, day, year. Slashes, dashes, and dots all work — e.g. 04/12/26, 04-12-26, or 04.12.26 all read as April 12, 2026.
The Alchemist's code is a Pack date — the date the beer was packaged. Drink within a window after this date based on style.
On The Alchemist packaging, the date code is typically printed on the bottom of cans or laser-etched on the bottle neck or shoulder. Some bottles also print it on the back label.
If the code looks smudged, partially worn, or printed in light ink, try angling the can under a bright light. Phone flashlights work well. The Freshie camera scanner can read most codes even when they're partially obscured.
The Alchemist produces a range of styles, each with its own drinking window:
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. Cold storage (under 40°F) extends every window meaningfully.
Heady Topper instructions: 'Drink from the can. Drink fresh.' Located in Stowe, Vermont.
The Alchemist is tracked by Freshie as an independent American craft brewery per the Brewers Association definition (less than 25% non-craft ownership, under 6 million barrels per year).
Some links above are affiliate links. Learn more.