The Craft Beer Thread....

Glorified KC

One of my go-to’s.  Raised Grain is still my favorite Wisconsin brewery.

Bentleyspop

First selection...

Second selection....

bbiggs

A staple from Maplewood Brewery. Always a great one to come back to. 

Malroth

Really Good

Malroth

What is the age range where IPA start to taste worse? Is it the same for all types of IPA's?

bbiggs

Malroth said:

What is the age range where IPA start to taste worse? Is it the same for all types of IPA's?

Tough to say. Some people think an IPA is no longer fresh after a couple weeks or less. Not me. I don’t notice a drop off in taste even a couple months out. They usually don’t stay in my fridge longer than that though. 

Malroth

bbiggs said:

Malroth said:

What is the age range where IPA start to taste worse? Is it the same for all types of IPA's?

Tough to say. Some people think an IPA is no longer fresh after a couple weeks or less. Not me. I don’t notice a drop off in taste even a couple months out. They usually don’t stay in my fridge longer than that though. 

Thanks. I tend to agree, I've only had a couple IPA where there was definitely something off with the taste.

I don't think my palate is sophisticated to catch the difference of a month or two.

Weston1283

bbiggs said:

Malroth said:

What is the age range where IPA start to taste worse? Is it the same for all types of IPA's?

Tough to say. Some people think an IPA is no longer fresh after a couple weeks or less. Not me. I don’t notice a drop off in taste even a couple months out. They usually don’t stay in my fridge longer than that though. 

I tend to think that within the first 4 weeks is fresh and the taste is basically the same.  Some beers can even taste better if you wait 1-2 weeks after the can date to “cool off”

I won’t trade for any beers that are over 8 weeks old.   They’re not ruined at this point, but it wouldn’t be fair for me to judge a beer after 8 weeks.  I’ve had Hazys that are 6-8 months old and still taste fine.  But anything after that I will pour down the drain.

bbiggs

Weston1283 said:

bbiggs said:

Malroth said:

What is the age range where IPA start to taste worse? Is it the same for all types of IPA's?

Tough to say. Some people think an IPA is no longer fresh after a couple weeks or less. Not me. I don’t notice a drop off in taste even a couple months out. They usually don’t stay in my fridge longer than that though. 

I tend to think that within the first 4 weeks is fresh and the taste is basically the same.  Some beers can even taste better if you wait 1-2 weeks after the can date to “cool off”

I won’t trade for any beers that are over 8 weeks old.   They’re not ruined at this point, but it wouldn’t be fair for me to judge a beer after 8 weeks.  I’ve had Hazys that are 6-8 months old and still taste fine.  But anything after that I will pour down the drain.

Good take. I don’t do any trading, except locally with friends sometimes, so I’m never at risk of sending or receiving beer that isn’t fresh.  I keep my inventory pretty in line so that nothing gets too old. Just finished one from 5/19, which was the oldest I had, and it tasted perfect.  After a month and a half I make an effort to drink it if it’s still in my fridge, but to your point, I’ve pushed it out to 2+ months on occasion and there was no issue. 

I’ve also had some that do need time to develop due to canning a bit early. After a week or so the taste has improved. 

bbiggs

Do any of you have certain hop profiles you gravitate towards?  Over time I find myself enjoying Citra, Mosaic, Vic Secret and Sabro the most.  So many combinations obviously, but those are the backbone hops I enjoy the most in a hazy IPA.  Only real dislike is Nelson Sauvin. 

I also enjoy a nice bitter, hoppy, west coast IPA as that’s what started me with IPAs, but those have a whole different lineup of hops. 

RK50065

^Citra, Galaxy, and Centennial

Weston1283

Citra, Simcoe and Sabro for me

bbiggs

Any dislikes? I mentioned Nelson Sauvin which automatically stops me from buying a beer, even if I like the other hops. I’m also not a fan of adding lactose, but will have an occasional milkshake IPA. It’s just too sweet for me. 

Bentleyspop

bbiggs said:

Any dislikes? I mentioned Nelson Sauvin which automatically stops me from buying a beer, even if I like the other hops. I’m also not a fan of adding lactose, but will have an occasional milkshake IPA. It’s just too sweet for me. 

I'm the opposite.  It it has Nelson I'm in.
Anything with lactose, milk sugar, fruity adjuncts I'm usually out. Though a well balanced grapefruit or mango IPA will get my attention. 
I do love a classic West Coast Style hop bomb.

Also, the fresher the better. I try and stop at 3 months 4 at the most depending on the beer and the brewery.
Thursday I had a local Hazy IPA that was kegged on Monday. It was better than any other time I had had it.

Weston1283

I picked up some Very Gggreenn this week, going to let it cool down for a couple more days and enjoy.  Had it last summer, and it remains my single favorite beer of all time.  

Malroth

tempo_n_groove

I decided a while ago that I wasn't going to give a shit what kind of hops are in it.  I don't think anyone can actually tell the difference anyways?

I also decided that my snobbery would stop once I heard someone mentioning hops...

That being said I like Mosaic and Citra, lol.

bbiggs

tempo_n_groove said:

I decided a while ago that I wasn't going to give a shit what kind of hops are in it.  I don't think anyone can actually tell the difference anyways?

I also decided that my snobbery would stop once I heard someone mentioning hops...

That being said I like Mosaic and Citra, lol.

Haha.  This is awesome and hard to argue.  I never thought I'd be dissecting the hops in a beer, but I enjoy the technical side of knowing what is used in a beer, how it's made, etc.  On top of that, these beers are pricey enough that it helps to know what you enjoy and what you don't.  On that note, one of the best things I've come across this Summer is a local shop that has a great selection, but also allows mixed 4 packs.  That way I don't have to go all-in on something I'm unsure of.  The ones I know that I like, I'll grab a 4 pack.  Others, I'll split up 2 and 2.  It's great.

And yes...citra and mosaic all day.  LOL

Malroth

Jearlpam0925

Cool article if you have The Athletic:

https://theathletic.com/1900326/2020/07/02/scouting-for-the-best-brewery-prospects-across-mlb-cities/

Surprised to see ARS in South Philly (very very good beer!) make his Philly mention, along with Tired Hands.