Brewer Backlash

There was an interesting story a couple of days ago. An email exchange between a BA user and Cigar City owner was published around the internet on Ratebeer and Beeradvocate. There was a lot of community response over this and most people sided on the side of wanting better Cigar City customer service. Check it out. Its funny, this has got me thinking a lot about how the beer consumer is such a different animal than the wine and spirits consumer. And it also got me thinking about my own scenarios: the Lost Abbey scandal. Turns out my triumphant post back then was ill-fated as those beers as well were not carbonated, as such I will never ever buy another one of their products again, neither should you. But I also had an instance where I bought some Pike Entire Wood Aged Stout and it was clearly infected, the owner promised to send me a check and he never did, it's only a matter of time before I go out of my way to tarnish that brand. Lastly, living in NYC, I might have to stop drinking Captain Lawrence. Ok, i'll just come right out and say it, I'm not impressed by their beers, particularly the almost often undrinkable smoke from the oaks. I don't like bacteria in my beer, at least not to that level, and lets be honest, the buzz around the NYC craft beer scene, is the Scott Vaccaro is kind of a dick. Quality control is rather dubious for their products and their standout beer to me (the Imperial IPA) never tastes the same twice. I guess there are just so many brands out there, so many yet undiscovered, that as a craft beer consumer, it seems foolish to waste my time and money on brands that don't care about the consumer.

Ummmm

It's been a weird time for me. It's probably been the lowest point in my life, and its been showing on my inability to maintain a blog. I want to bring this blog back, and I'm going to start by saying that I had my first taste of Nugget Nectar on cask last night at barcade. This year is a little less citrus, but it's an amazing beer. Personally it could be better than Bell's Hopslam, but not Ballast Point Sculpin.

Sorry for the absence

Cellar Raid

So I decided to raid the cellar yesterday. So much great beer down there, so much ready to drink, can't leave it in there forever can you? Anyways, I raided the cellar and pulled out some things that I believe are ready to drink, and somethings I just want to try. I know for a fact that 2002 Doggie Claws is ready to drink, but be sure I'll leave some until 2012.

Three left...

Went to Whole Foods Bowery today. You know the usual -- New Beer then Whole Foods. Well Whole Foods had the Atlantic IPA from Brewdog. In case you haven't heard this is a pretty special beer, and wait for it, it has a $29 per 12 oz bottle price tag. Wowza, that is an expensive beer. I mean damn, $20 OK? I guess, but wow, that is a lot of money for a beer, I mean I know what they did is special, but damn so expensive. OK, I've written expensive for the last time. As a I feebly debate with myself whether or not to buy it, I pick up a dry hopped growler of Dale's Pale from the cask. Uh yea, two left around 6:30...

Tidbits

Some interesting beer news lately. Sam Adams is coming out with a Barrel collection. The biggest "craft" brewer in the country, with an incredibly large distribution network and numerous contract breweries is coming out with a barrel-aged beer? Seems a little odd, I mean it's not like they are hurting or anything. But it shows the power of the trend - that is a key indicator. To keep pace with today's modern beer geek its not just IPAs and stouts anymore. It's big, bold adventuresome beers inspired by ingenuity as much as the craft. Sam Adams knows, they didn't get to the top because they weren't smart.

Hop Devil Bust

Have to call this out...big time. Went there on Monday for their "world beer" event as per the NY Craft beer website...absolutely nothing but your standard tequila bar taps, so I walked out. But the "Daze of the Devil" fest was an annual tradition, a great tradition at that. But again nothing. This time it was listed on beermenus too and I was pretty disappointed. You can not do that. Advertise for events that don't exist to maybe try and drum up your shitty business? Do not go to the Hop Devil, it's been busted!

Go get growlers from New Beer

Just got back from New Beer distributors. Had to run over after getting the email telling me that they have the Bruery Melange #3 which I previously rated. And then Bourbon Barrel Ten Fidy which I'm sipping on now and his incredible smoothness and complexity. So head over there and bring your growlers!