Better beer

Better beer
Beer tastes best fresh -- aging is for wine, not brews. To preserve a beer's flavor, keep it away from direct light and heat. A beer can get "light struck" when exposed to sunlight or even the bright fluorescents of a supermarket. This results in strong off-aromas, vividly known in the trade as "skunked."
Beer in clear or green bottles is particularly susceptible to skunking, as are lighter-style lagers. Pass up that six-pack that's been displayed exposed to light, and buy beer either in sealed boxes or from inside a case to avoid a stinky brew. Keep beer in a cool dark spot.
Buying berries
Always give a peek to the bottom of a berry box before you buy it. If the bottom of a cardboard box is juice-stained, you've got a container with crushed fruit. With clear mesh baskets, look for unripe, crushed or moldy fruit. Quality berries should have a pleasant aroma and darker-colored fruits often have a fuller flavor. To preserve berries' freshness, transfer them from their open baskets to a paper-towel-lined, sealed container and store in the refrigerator bin.