think of the bud phase as "rehydration" cause basically it is...
i'm in the same boat. been limping along on maybe a beer a night. pulled some bud out of the keg freezer that had a born on date of Jul 02 09. Those 4 lasted about an hour and that was all of them. Bought a 18pk Saturday and it didn't make it to monday. Don't know what else to make of it, but i do know my piss is more clear and a little less yellow now...
-------------------- When Brewing is Outlawed
Only Outlaws will Brew Beer.