Beer thread

This NY Times article nails several points that have soured me on the craft wave: IPA overload, annoying adjectives (hazy, dank, etc.), dumb names, and silly graphics.

The truth is, the craft beer boom got ahead of itself — bloated on branding, locked in an arms race of hops, and distracted by its own cleverness. Breweries expanded too fast and chased trends too hard, trying to be everything but beer.​

Call me a curmudgeon but the ones I keep at my house are usually the Bavarian Big 3: Weihenstephaner, Hacker Pschorr, and Franziskaner.

www.nytimes.com

Opinion | Wacky Labels and Silly Names Are Killing Craft Beer

Drinking is down, but there are a few simple fixes that can get people hoisting their cans again.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
 
jamesdeluxe said:
This NY Times article nails several points that have soured me on the craft wave: IPA overload, annoying adjectives (hazy, dank, etc.), dumb names, and silly graphics.

The truth is, the craft beer boom got ahead of itself — bloated on branding, locked in an arms race of hops, and distracted by its own cleverness. Breweries expanded too fast and chased trends too hard, trying to be everything but beer.​

Call me a curmudgeon but the ones I keep at my house are usually the Bavarian Big 3: Weihenstephaner, Hacker Pschorr, and Franziskaner.

www.nytimes.com

Opinion | Wacky Labels and Silly Names Are Killing Craft Beer

Drinking is down, but there are a few simple fixes that can get people hoisting their cans again.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
Click to expand...
You're a curmudgeon.
I personally love IPAs and I find the adjectives helpful because the description means I can make a choice that suits my taste. The dumb names and silly graphics are dumb and silly but more amusing than anything.

I drink a large array of beer styles but they are usually ales or porters or stouts or pilseners and sometimes a sour or wheat beer. I rarely drink a lager anymore.

But yeah, breweries got ahead of themselves and the cleanout will probably be good for the industry I guess.
 
Sbooker said:
You're a curmudgeon.(...) I drink a large array of beer styles but they are usually ales or porters or stouts or pilseners and sometimes a sour or wheat beer. I rarely drink a lager anymore.
Click to expand...
I may have exaggerated how limited my beer palate is, although I'm certainly not a connoisseur of Sbooker's or Tseeb's level. I tend to prefer stout during the cold months and wheat, hefeweizen, Belgian blonde, and lagers during the warm months.

The writer of the article describes my general impression of IPAs as having a distinct piney taste. I know that not all of them are like that; however, I'm free to use a broad brush to discriminate against this extremely popular beer style as I see fit. I've mentioned before my adherence to the theory of contrary public opinion in many parts of my life -- "if everyone thinks one thing, then I say bet the other way."
:eusa-snooty:
 
jamesdeluxe said:
I may have exaggerated how limited my beer palate is, although I'm certainly not a connoisseur of Sbooker's or Tseeb's level. I tend to prefer stout during the cold months and wheat, hefeweizen, Belgian blonde, and lagers during the warm months.

The writer of the article describes my general impression of IPAs as having a distinct piney taste. I know that not all of them are like that; however, I'm free to use a broad brush to discriminate against this beer style as I see fit.
:eusa-snooty:
Click to expand...
My mates that drink the commercial ‘cold and wet’ beer that is tasteless to me think I’m a weirdo.
 
tseeb said:
Nothing that has directly affected me, but https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/07/14/california-breweries-closing-beer-sf says “More than 50 breweries closed across the state last year, while 24 opened.” And they don’t expect it to get better, partially due to tariffs. “Small brewers are being hit especially hard by tariffs on equipment, kegs, aluminum cans and ingredients, such as hops and grain.”
Click to expand...

The loss of Anchor Steam (the oldest US Microbrewery?) was especially tragic for the California microbrew scene, despite promises to revive it.
 
ChrisC said:
The loss of Anchor Steam (the oldest US Microbrewery?) was especially tragic for the California microbrew scene, despite promises to revive it.
Click to expand...
Sbooker said:
Oh no. That was a go to for me for quite a few visits between 2010 and 2020.
Click to expand...
Very sad. I remember it in high school around 1980. Good beer and the logo was iconic. The fact that it came across the country from San Francisco made the brand seem a bit exotic back then.

1760524761283.png


Along with Moosehead (founded in 1867), those were the first microbrews I ever tried:
1760526703867.png


I recall that Moosehead had a reputation for an elevated ABV; however, a search indicates that it's always been around 5%. Interesting how fake news was a thing, even back then.

The first true high ABV that everyone in Upstate New York knew at the time was Molson Brador at what is now considered a tame 6.2%. It wasn't sold in the U.S. so people would make special trips to Quebec and hide multiple cases in the trunk to avoid customs fees. In the early 90s, the French Canadian brewery Unibroue came out with Maudite (8%) and Fin du Monde (9%). Here's the marketing description: La Fin du Monde is a strong Belgian-style Tripel beer. Despite a high alcohol content, it is known for being smooth and complex with a balance of malt, fruit, and spice flavors, along with a dry finish. The name translates to "The End of the World" and it is considered one of the brewery's flagship beers.
 
jamesdeluxe said:
It wasn't sold in the U.S. so people would make special trips to Quebec and hide multiple cases in the trunk to avoid customs fees.
Click to expand...
Not sure you can get away with it now, but even in grad school living in Buffalo I would cross the border to get a couple cases of certain Canadian beers (once in a while, not every week or something). Go across the bridge, grab a couple cases and then drive right back over the bridge to the US.

No one ever batted an eyelash and no passports needed back then either (just show your DL).

jamesdeluxe said:
Moosehead (founded in 1867), those were the first microbrews
Click to expand...
I never even considered Moosehead a microbrew. It was too common to see all over upstate.
 
tseeb said:
Nothing that has directly affected me, but...
Click to expand...
This is the closest (by about a mile) brewery to my house. Not my favorite although I remember a good retirement party there for a friend I mountain biked and worked with. It's at the other end of a long block where my Grandma (who was born in Santa Clara, CA in 1900) lived until 1982. Will try to get there in the next 6 days. I thought they'd been there longer than 11 years.

"After 11 incredible years of brewing here in San Jose, we are heartbroken to announce that Strike Brewing Co. will be closing its doors. Our final day of operations will be Friday, October 31st.

This decision was not made lightly. While we’re deeply saddened to say goodbye, we are immensely proud of what we’ve built and forever grateful for the community, friendships, and memories that have made Strike Brewing Co. so special.

Thank you for more than a decade of love, laughter, and support. We invite you to join us for one last pint and a toast to the good times. Stop by the taproom to reminisce and take advantage of some great farewell deals as we pour through our remaining inventory.

Cheers,
The Strike Brewing Co. Team"

In better news, this is one of my favorites from a San Diego brewery. Bought for $3.99 at high-end store between my house and my Mom's as part of the more than $5 I needed to spend to use coupon for a free marinara sauce. Glass is from Guatemala.
2289WeekendVibes.JPG
 
After a quick trip to what used to be the closest Costco to my house (a less busy one opened close to my Mom's, then a business Costco with a gas station opened near me), I got to busy Strike brewing at 5 PM and tasted one Hazy and had a pint of another. They were selling all 16 oz. 4-packs for $10 and if you bought six it was $50 so you got one free. I got a four-pack of the only sour they had for my son. I had a taste of it and it was not sour, which I usually don't like. It's called the Blackberry Blob an "imperial Sour Ale was brewed with lactose and conditioned on Blackberry, Passion Fruit, and Vanilla Beans". Will add a photo sometime, but I'm storing them in his former room on N side of house downstairs as they are supposed to be kept cool. They also had a cantaloupe seltzer listed under sours that I would have gotten for my wife, but they didn't have any in cans. Will try to get back there with her mid-week to try it.

Since I made chicken quesadillas (using jumbo flour tortillas, pulled rotisserie chicken, salsa and guacamole - all previously purchased at Costco by my Mom's) to go with the Greek-style salad she made, I had this one with dinner. OK, but nothing special.
2299ElDiamante.JPG
 
tseeb said:
I had a taste of it and it was not sour, which I usually don't like. It's called the Blackberry Blob an "imperial Sour Ale was brewed with lactose and conditioned on Blackberry, Passion Fruit, and Vanilla Beans"
Click to expand...

I think I had a Peanut Butter and Jelly Stout once in the mid-2010s. And I just said enough of this insanity.

tseeb said:
I had this one with dinner. OK, but nothing special.
Click to expand...

Yes, I believe that is the problem with many microbreweries.

And even if someone likes your beer, will they stick around as a customer? Be able to find it again? Or they are just adventurous and move on to the next microbrew.
 
"...I've got yet another unfortunate piece of news about aging: The craft brewery-loving IPA guy is over. Craft beer sales are declining. Nobody cares about how many ounces of hops are packed into the can or about the subtle notes of honey and chocolate in that stout anymore, if they ever did in the first place. The stereotypical beer hipster is now a middle-aged dad who can't be too hungover for his kids' morning soccer practice."

Beer is getting back to basics. America's favorite beer is Michelob Ultra, a pretty whatever-tasting light lager with a bit of a health-conscious halo.

www.businessinsider.com

Make beer dumb again: Why Americans are buying more cheap, basic beer

Millennials helped fuel a craft brewery boom. But now, Americans are turning to cheap, basic-tasting beer with simple advertising.
www.businessinsider.com www.businessinsider.com
 
Last edited:
ChrisC said:
America's favorite beer is Michelob Ultra, a pretty whatever-tasting light lager
Click to expand...
Can't imagine why anyone even bothers with something like that. I rarely drink beer anymore but I would never proactively choose anything in that ballpark; either back when I did drink more beer, nor now.

Maybe college kids drinking that stuff? In college you don't care much about the taste, only what is cheapest, lol.
 
My son who will be 34 in December mostly drinks Coors Light although he also likes sours. I prefer regular Coors vs. watery Light.

My wife and I went to (closing on 10/31) Strike Brewing yesterday. Since we were on way to San Jose Sharks game (on free tickets from ski buddy who works there) we both tasted and got The Chomp, a Hazy IPA with Motueka and Mosaic hops, 6.5% ABV 20 IBU. I would have gotten a $10 6-pack to take home, but they have sold out. My wife tried a taste of their Passion Fruit Seltzer (8%) but found it too sweet. Bartender said Cantaloupe Seltzer was also sweet. They had the Black Lager and a lot of the Churro beer still available in 4-packs, but not much else.

I liked the Black Lager can I had Monday night. My wife does not like that style. Too thick and coffee-like for her.
FearTheBeer.jpg

The back of the Black Lager can (Rock Bottom in Campbell has also closed) and one of the Blackberry Sours I'll give my son tomorrow.
Blackberry.jpg


Tonight I had a Hazy IPA with many Citra hops. I tried it at the brewery and did not like it that much but was very good out of the can. (7.4%)
PlanetOfThePints.jpg
 
tseeb said:
My son who will be 34 in December mostly drinks Coors Light although he also likes sours. I prefer regular Coors vs. watery Light.

My wife and I went to (closing on 10/31) Strike Brewing yesterday. Since we were on way to San Jose Sharks game (on free tickets from ski buddy who works there) we both tasted and got The Chomp, a Hazy IPA with Motueka and Mosaic hops, 6.5% ABV 20 IBU. I would have gotten a $10 6-pack to take home, but they have sold out. My wife tried a taste of their Passion Fruit Seltzer (8%) but found it too sweet. Bartender said Cantaloupe Seltzer was also sweet. They had the Black Lager and a lot of the Churro beer still available in 4-packs, but not much else.

I liked the Black Lager can I had Monday night. My wife does not like that style. Too thick and coffee-like for her.
View attachment 47929
The back of the Black Lager can (Rock Bottom in Campbell has also closed) and one of the Blackberry Sours I'll give my son tomorrow.
View attachment 47930

Tonight I had a Hazy IPA with many Citra hops. I tried it at the brewery and did not like it that much but was very good out of the can. (7.4%)
View attachment 47931
Click to expand...
That lager is breaking the stereotype @jamesdeluxe has labeled us with. 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top