Your beer predictions for 2014

I predict I will spend too much money on craft beer in 2014!, other than that I don't know.

 

“Hey all, just wondered what you think we will see next year?”

My prediction is more big, bold, different, blah-blah-blah beers. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy some of the continuing innovation of US craft beer brewers but there is a part of me that would enjoy some ‘traditional’ brewing. I fully understand that as an individual I am unable to stop the ‘change’ that continues to take place but ….

Oh well, it’s all good!

Cheers!

 

I predict that if Treehouse starts canning Julius in 2014 it will take off to Heady Topper levels.

 

I predict that I will be battling alcoholism in late 2014...

 

To borrow a phrase from some of the best literature of the 20th century, Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes:

"Every year the same thing: variety."

 

A further trend of putting draft beer on nitrogen. And an increased number of acronym which BA's use.

 

Although I don't have a Proprietor's in the arsenal, I would hope that if I did I wouldn't **** a fellow BA in order for him/her to trade for it.

I predict Hill Farmstead not only continues their dominance over the craft beer market, they strengthen it. I also predict that Sean Lawson stays humble and refuses to expand, making Double Sunshine one of the most sought after beers on the trading forum in '14.

 

1. Beer will be sold in coconuts rather than bottles or cans.

2. Beeradvocate has a 35 page thread titled: "What do you like better - drinking from a can or a coconut?"

 

My prediction for 2014 is that we will get the new seasonals next year and find that they are thinner, less hoppy, different recipe, than this year's were.

 

I will drink another case of Sucks.

 

They will go and change the spices again in Celebration.

 

I hope brewers will quit trying to out extreme one another. I don't have any issue with these type of beers as many are quite good, but I'd like to see some well done classic styles hitting the market to balance things out. I love IPAs, but rounding things out with more variety than merely highly hopped offerings would be a nice change. I think we have a shot at seeing some of this in 2014.

 

1) One of the big playas will come up with something even more bizarre than artificial-fruit-flavored, margarita-beer-hybrid. And sadly, it will sell more quantity than ANY craft beer brand.

2) Some craft brewer will hit the mark with a very flavorful beer that's under 3%, less than 100 calories, and not a Berliner Weiss.

 

I predict I am gonna drink a lot of good beers, a lot of really good beers and the occasional beer that will blow my mind.....mmmmm I can't for 2014!

 

Cans. Lots of Cans. A lot more cans.

 

Habanero/chili beers will, at most craft beer drinker's dismay, take off.

All the while brewers keep thinking people love it.

 

I already see more of a shift toward more sessionable beers, including a focus on lagers. This is a dramatic shift away from the hop heavy, IPA focused product offering. I'm seeing more cross-overs, like Hoppy Pilsners (see Firestone Walker). Overall, you'll still have a lot of hoppy beers to choose from, but I ultimately i think the pendulum will swing back toward a focus on drinkability and getting you to consume more (albeit flavorful) beers.

 

But I don't want to consume more, I want to consume better.

 

Less IBUs doesn't necessarily mean lesser quality. I've just noticed a focus on making "lighter" beers (like 5-7% ABV), in an effort to try and expand product offerings. The old staples will still be made and at a high level of quality.