Yeah, it's not typically the quality control of the refining process, but how it is stored. My brother also worked at gas stations at the start of his working career and through that experience, said never fill up when you see the tanker truck there. Reason being, when new gas is pumped/drained into the underground tank, this action causes anything at the bottom of the tank to be kicked up (water is the main concern here) and in turn pumped into your car. There are variables of course.. the condition of the tank, age, turnover of the gas, weather, etc.
Nick's (OP) symptoms almost sound like water in the gas. Who knows? If so, you can get an additive to remove the water from the tank.
You would be able to tell right away if it was 20 below zero, as the fuel line would freeze. I've had that happen....not in Florida of course.