Bootlegger's Knuckle Sandwich

Hopefully so. I thought that when they ramped up production, the quality really went down. Yeah, just slightly before they moved to the new location - those last couple of releases were really off compared to how amazing it once tasted.

 

It isn't just Knuckle Sandwich, the quality in many of their beers seems to have taken a dive. Black Phoenix these days has this sour milk smell and off taste at the tasting room and when I brought it to their attention they said it seemed fine to them. Had some Missile Crisis a couple weeks ago and it had the same thing going on. I don't know if they aren't cleaning the lines or something else is to blame for the off flavors lately.

 

You're pretty right on in my opinion.... although to me it's not even a "good" DIPA... way too cloying. My friends and I think it's the most overrated beer on the planet along with 90 min. I've had it fresh at the brewery too, over 2 years ago when it was supposedly at it's "Prime"

 

LOL, I work less than 2 miles from it and I don't go there either...unfortunately.

 

Yep. They're really mediocre. Noble Ale Works and The Bruery are my go-to spots in my area. It looks like Bottle Logic and Hoparazzi are going to be opening 2 miles from my apartment in Placentia; as if I needed another excuse to never visit Bootlegger's.

 

Nice! I have been to Bruery and its amazing. I normally visit Hollingshead and Pizza Port.

 

Noble is my local favorite. They brew a few fantastic beers, and they're not dicks about it. The Bruery can't be beat (in LA/OC) for sours and barrel-aged madness. Pizza Port is fantastic, but the closet one to me is in San Clemente. Hollingshead's is cool, but they charge too much and their sandwiches are small. Still, I go there often. Honestly, I can't wait for Bottle Logic and Hoparazzi to open. Hoping they're good.

 

I had KS for the first time 3+ years ago and never, ever understood the hype! It's like it was the first time a bunch of OC bros had a 10%+ beer and they only loved it because it has a cool name and gets them wasted. Drink it side by side to any comparable DIPA (Double Jack, Enjoy By, ect...) not even in the same ballpark.

 

The one time I tried it (about 1 year ago) it almost burned my face off with a strong fusel alcohol taste. I love DIPA's and hadn't had a beer in 3 weeks when I tried it so I really hoped my palate would have been reset. Instead it was almost impossible to drink.

 

Hoparazzi is amazing. Their Mission Impechable is probably the best sour beer I've ever had. It's unbelievable

 

when I had it 6 months ago it was very heavy taste wise on the malt and alcohol. I immediately drain poured and opened a Dreadnaught instead.