What does the code 364-12 signify in brewing?

The code 364-12 signifies a Julian date code, which provides a way of identifying the production date of a product in a standardized format. In this case, the "364" portion indicates the 364th day of the year, which corresponds to December 30 in a non-leap year. The "12" signifies the year, pointing to 2012. Using Julian date codes helps brewers and consumers track the freshness of the beer, allowing for better inventory management and quality control in the brewing process.

Other options do not apply because a batch number typically refers to a unique identifier for a specific batch of brewing, which may not convey the specific date of production. An expiry date is distinct from a production date, as it indicates the end of the product's shelf life rather than when it was made. Coding for ingredients would involve different specifications relating to the raw materials used, not the date of production. Thus, the Julian date code is the correct interpretation of the format represented by 364-12.