interesting, but sad trend

My exact reaction.

Love Hopslam. Love Expedition. Love Java. Oberon? Ehhhh, okay beer, won't be buying it when Bells starts distro here later this year.

 

You actually have a third choice, and it would solve all your problems, and give you a new hobby to enjoy as well. You say you like Porters and Scotch Ales. You can homebrew those styles almost as good, or maybe even better if you have a talent, than any of the ones you buy except the BA ones. In fact, you can make them for as cheap or cheaper than buying crap beer. 2 cases of Scotch Ale made by you would run you around 30.00. In fact, there are ways to cut down that cost even more, but that is a reasonable number. With the money you save you could buy an occasional barrel aged beer, or buy your own barrel and do your own.

I am facing trouble at work, possible loss of hours, or even layoff. I love my beer as much as you seem to. I'm not worried in the least for my beer drinking, as I know I can afford to drink my own beer, and the quality is only the tiniest step down from the store stuff I usually enjoy.

 

I must say I like higher ABV beers in general. There are 2 reasons that I tend to prefer beer this way, one, my second favorite drink is Scotch and I enjoy a little booziness in a beer. Two, I do like a bang for my buck. I don't want to have to drink 4 beers to get a buzz, unless I want to try different beers.

Also, right now I really enjoy Imperial Stouts, D/IIPA's and Scotch Ales. Just my personal tastes. It works out well that they also all have high ABV's. I have not tried a lot of the Lambics or sours that people have mentioned though, so that might change my mind.

I had my first Oberon on Friday and I was rather underwhelmed. I don't really like wheat beer to begin with, but I found it very plain. I love most of Bell's beer, so I was surprised.

 

I can certainy attest to this. I work at the same kind of place and people are always looking for the higher abv, not taste in both beer and wine.

 

how much hand dexterity does it require? I have Parkinson's and my hands shake badly.

 

Unfortunately most people drink for the effects of the alcohol, not the flavors, those are secondary, and I believe that is why people are gravitating towards high ABV, because they get the effects sooner. Craft beer drinkers as a whole are not different from any other population drinking alcohol, "the buzz" as you call it comes first, the depth, the flavors, the craft itself, it's more for talk. Not everyone fits this, I don't like "the buzz" myself and don't care about the ABV, just pace myself accordingly.
The fact that what was hot last year gets dust on the shelf today is lack of loyalty, few brands can say that they own customers since they share them with every other single brewery out there, and those are multiplying like rabbits which translate in too many options that dilute the buyers. There's new brands every week (either because they just hit production OR because they just made it to your state) and some people like to try new things, of this guilty I am, so I found myself picking up something new over an old good beer.
Now, that is why nurturing their local region should be the priority of the breweries instead of growing distribution too fast. Oberon might be selling slow in Georgia, but I doubt the same is happening in Michigan.

 

They can keep their flavor intensity, I will take balance any day of the week.

 

Probably need some hand strength more than dexterity, don't know if that would be a problem. There is some carrying of things required, as much as 30-50 lbs. at a time.

The only thing I can think of that might be a problem would be holding a thermometer, you'd probably need to install thermometers to brewpot, mash tun, etc., and have a floating one for use in your hydrometer flask. Interesting question, I bet there are other Parkinsons sufferers who are homebrewers.

 

Go to 21st Amendment before an SF Giants game. They must serve hundreds of pints pre-game.

 

Why would that make you want to buy PBR? Shouldnt it make you want to buy 5% craft beers instead?

And why do you care what someone else wants to drink?

 

my hand strength isn't a huge problem as much as any fine motor activity. For me, shaving, brushing my teeth, using a fork and even drinking my beer or coffee can be a big chore and using tools or a knife are completely out of the question. When my tremors get real bad I need to use both hands to hold my beer glass or I'll end up making a mess. I have re-learned to type fairly well with the tremor but it is 2 fingers instead of my full hands and I have to look at what I am typing. I used to be a pretty strong typist but not anymore. If I did decide to take a stab at homebrewing I know my wife would help me with whatever I needed. I am going to give it some serious thought. I would probably make Bitters, Brown Milds, Porters and possibly Scotch ales.

thanks!

 

I do believe that people are definitely buying into the hype of high abv and what breweries are putting out these days. Case in point, there is a terrible beer down here called peanut butter porter that comes in at 12.5%. This beer is nothing but a novelty that will get you hammered fast. I personally care nothing about getting wasted as I usually drink no more than 2 beers on any given day and usually spaced out well, but the stores cannot keep this beer in stock. There is definitely something to my affinity for higher abv in the beers I buy because I like stouts. I do not however buy beer based on abv but on style, period. The beauty of this is all is as stated above, we are in the middle of the largest beer boom ever and there are plenty of great as well as gimmicky beers to be had by all. This does not change how I view the craft beer movement at all, I say buy what you like and we got plenty of choices.

fX20736, I totally see your point and understand your frustration and would be willing to send you a KBS to try if I hadn't traded them all. But to be angry at drinkers is placing the blame in the wrong place. Put blame on the breweries who hype the $hit out of their beer all over the web and then do not or cannot make enough to go around. It took me 4 hours after work chase down 2 KBS and I probably won't do it next year but that doesn't turn me off at Founders all together, it's just part of the movement.

 

I hope this is not a trend. I for one like a much heavier high ABV ale in the cold weather. During the warmer months my preference is Oberon whenever I can get it.

 

I'm in my 30's. I'm not a big sours fan, but the truth is that I appreciate a taste from time to time. Imperial stouts and DIPAs are fine beer styles. I'm certainly not one to judge if someone only wants to drink high ABV beer. But I also keep things like Old Milwaukee, Schlitz, or Miller High Life in my fridge. The beers are dirt cheap I enjoy drinking them.

It seems whenever there is a new special releases high gravity brew in the local area, there seems to be a major run on it. The favorite thing I like to say in regards to some of the special releases is that there are plenty of regularly available high gravity brews that aren't as much of a headache to get. One of my friends in Houston took the day off to get Saint Arnold Divine Reserve 13, but he was unable to get any because it sold out everywhere he went. Did I acquire some for myself? Sure. If I hadn't, it would not have been a big deal. St. Bernardus Abt 12 would have been a fine substitute for that style. Of course, I won't even mention the runs people did on Westy 12.

I personally say drink what you want and don't give a rat's behind what anyone else thinks about you. Drinking lower gravity brews on a regular basis is better for the liver anyway.

 

Drama queen claiming to hate drama.

I dont get whale hunting. Its not my thing, but if I want one and I cant get it, so be it, Ill just buy something else that is similar but regularly available instead. I wont go on a rant and demand a brewery change their business practices.

Should I mention that I specifically turned down a chance to buy KBS? I wonder how many people on here that statement will piss off.

 

If you look on the shelves, the prime zone for craft beer seems to be 6.0 to 6.5%.

Which if Ron Pattinson has taught me anything (probably not), that was the prime drinking zone for 19th century England.

 

I see some of that happening, OP. But then I drink something like All Day IPA or Victory's new session saison and think "wow, what an incredible beer. There will always be a market for this."

Session ales/lagers will never go away - I just hope there's enough demand to keep breweries keen on the fact that a beer doesn't have to be "imperial" to sell.

 

There's a lot going on in that post so I bolded the two things that really stuck out to me. I too got shut out of the KBS release locally, but depriving myself of all delicious Founders products because I didn't get an extremely hyped/thin spread special release strikes me as child's logic. Boycott the store if you don't like the way they handled the release, though I don't think that's logical either in most cases.

Also, for someone criticizing people for turning beer drinking into 'an event', you sure seem to dwell on the implications of what you drink an awful lot, and worrying if you're 'that guy'. I don't buy the premise that enjoying a couple IPAs after work makes anyone a 'smug, pampered, self-indulgent asshole'. Whether I'm enjoying a good lambic or a stout or a berliner or IPA or saison, I don't let it define my personality anymore than as a guy who likes tasty beer. I don't blame you for rolling your eyes at kids who act like they are the be-all and end-all source of beer knowledge, but don't be surprised when you get up on your soapbox and they do the same.

 

I really enjoy big beers as long as the big flavor matches my taste. Sipping on a BA RIS etc just works for me.

In saying that. I also really enjoy lower abv beers that have nice flavor. I tend to go out of my way to find them.
And just had my lowest ABV beer ever last night!
2.7% with a bit of flavor up front. Evil Twin Bikini Beer was shared by a friend last night. Was a great chaser to me BA RIS!

 

I really think this will be one of the next huge trends in the American craft scene. Though that may just be wishful thinking..