Berserker 2013

It's a combination of things but hate isn't one of them. I've never bashed them.

(1) I've never really been over-the-moon about anything I've had from them, (2) there are just too many other options from me to choose from, and (3) their lack of response on the apparently infected Berserker last year was a one-and-done for me.

I know lots of others dig on their stuff --- I'm just not one of them.

But in hindsight, I probably shouldn't have even commented on the thread in the first place. Lesson learned.

 

I think your sentiment is entirely reasonable. I'm thinking twice about buying Berserker bottles this year after obtaining $80 of extremely tart imperial stout last year...though I'll probably cave and give them another chance.

 

Book so far for this year is that it's pretty good. Other brewers get a free pass (Deschutes Abyss '09, HotD forever) why not MS? I'm willing to forgive last year's Berserker.

 

Cuz Deschutes owned up to it and let folks bring in their infected '09 bottles for replacement or refund (if I remember correctly). And I've not given a pass to HotD: http://beeradvocate.com/community/t...rol-a-ba-double-standard.118075/#post-1742677.

And, it's not the mistakes like infections --- shit happens --- that gets under my skin. Treating your customers like chumps, i.e., not owning up to mistakes, is a mistake for which I have little tolerance.

 

This is one of the threads that inspired my HotD thread. I like Arctic Devil and Berserker, and haven't gotten a bad bottle yet. That's a lot more than I can say for Hair of the Dog. As for Midnight Sun's response to reported issues, I guess I don't know what they've done or not done. I did complain to HotD about one flat bottle and never heard back, so I don't see them as being any better in this regard. That's one of the things that gave me the idea that some kind of double standard seems to be at play.

 

Is the label this year the same as last years? Or is there any way to tell the difference between the the 2012 and 2013?

 

Same looking bottle. If you look on the bottom of the bottle there are some very small raised numbers, the 2012 has a small 12 and the 2013 has a small 13, look very closely

 

Got it, thank you kindly!

 

Has this shown up in Portland yet?

 

Yes. I saw it at Belmont Station yesterday.

 

got it at Bridgetown today, $15

 

Anyone seen it in Tacoma?

 

I have had it on draft and out of the bottle this year. So far so good. Very good in fact.

 

Agreed, very good this year, similar to 2010 from what I recall.

 

TBoy's and Pint Defiance both had it. Not sure if its still there. I'll check on my way to work in the morning. If its still there do you want me to pick you up some?

 

Thanks, but I don't want you to go out of your way for it. I'll be in Tacoma tomorrow and will look for it then. If it's all gone, well then it's all gone. Thanks again.

 

No problems, if you didn't get one, stop by the Red Hot on sixth ave and ill hook you up. I have an extra here.

 

BTW, this is a very good general tip; I have noticed that a majority of bottle makers are including this two digit code around the base. I checked a number of the bottles in my cellar and this was an accurate match my date mark on the bottles 95% of the time. No guarantee, since older bottles could be used in a given year, but this has saved me several times in small, out of the way stores; an IPA with a 11 on the base of the bottle may be fresh, but probably not.

 

Anyone know of any where around Seattle that still has some? if so BM me please.

 

I would love to know if there is any left in Seattle too. I'm in town this weekend and would love to grab one. thanks!