What can retailers and wholesalers do to preserve the freshness of beer?

Retailers and wholesalers can effectively preserve the freshness of beer by rotating their inventory, storing it in cool areas, minimizing exposure to light, and regularly checking expiration dates.

Rotating beer ensures that older stock is sold first, reducing the chance of products becoming stale or past their peak freshness. Storing beer in cool conditions is crucial because higher temperatures can accelerate the aging process, leading to off-flavors and diminished quality. Light, particularly UV light, can also cause "skunky" off-flavors in beer, especially in bottles that are not dark in color. Thus, eliminating as much light exposure as possible helps maintain the original flavor profile of the beer. Lastly, keeping an eye on expiration or "best by" dates helps in managing the freshness and quality of the product being offered to consumers.

These practices combined create an environment that maximizes the shelf life and quality of beer, ensuring that customers receive the best tasting product possible.