Rebel IPA vs Lagunitas?

Had my first Rebel IPA on tap at a Buffalo Wild Wings the other day. It was actually really good. I'd get sixers of the stuff.

 

I really enjoyed this and will buy it regularly. Drinks very smooth and tastes delicious. Would be good even in the 112f degree summers here in the Southwest.

 

Actually grabbed a sixer today after trying it on draft this weekend. The fact that it packs all the hoppy flavor w/out the bitterness makes it quite enjoyable compared to the other hoppy brews I drink (and I drink a lot of them). Scary drinkable at 6.5% abv.

 

I appreciate what Lagunitas does, and will continue to enjoy the offerings. Waldo is outstanding and should be brewed more often. And I cant stop drinking Sucks. However, I typically find freshness issues with the regular IPA. When fresh, its fantastic. But it falls off pretty quickly, and turns into a mediocre IPA. I had a Rebel the other night, and was pleasantly surprised. It was good. But I feel Rebel will fall off rather quickly, and become a below mediocre IPA as it sits on shelves.

 

BBC will continue to do well but doubtful they will ever strongly appeal to the BA community which represents but a small fraction of beer drinkers (for now). If find it interesting they are marketing to the niche market of IPA drinkers/craft beer aficionados and working on craft "tap takeovers" when the largest pool for them to expand into is the BMC contingent.

 

In my local store( Boston MA), Lagunitas 11.69 for six pack, Sam Rebel 12.99 12 pack, plus deposit. Something to consider.

 

Rebel IPA? Really that can only be compared to Budweiser or Millers High Life! Sam Adams does not know anything about hoppy beers? They belong in MA. Some of these BeerTalks are really ridiculous! I am not a huge fan of Lagunitas but come on!

 

This shows us how threatened the larger breweries are by craft beer. I wish Sam Adams luck, people spending hte amounts of money we spend on craft beers are not going to choose Rebel IPA.
Craft beer drinkers seek out the best, and are willing to pay more for it. So while Sam Adams is negotiating shelf space at grocers, we will still be buying much better IPAs where we already find them.

 

Grabbed a 6 pack a couple weeks ago and thought it was good so I picked up a 12 pack last night when I saw it on sale for $11.88.

I still prefer Lagunitas IPA more, though. Lagunitas showcases the hops more, as a good "West Coast IPA" should. Rebel is more balanced, and for 6.5% it is damn sessionable. With that said, I'd pay the extra buck or two for a Lagunitas IPA 12 pack in the future.

 

Have you tried Rebel IPA? You may not like SA beers but Rebel IPA is really well done. And regardless of how you feel about SA, many of their beers are light-years better than BMC. Octoberfest, Noble Pils, IPL, and even the basic Boston Lager are all quality brews that no craft beer fan should be ashamed of enjoying.

 

I've seen Rebel on tap a couple places, but have yet to try it. Just can't see BBC staking a threatening claim in the IPA segment. Let's be honest, perception is reality and BBC is perceived--for the most part--as specializing in full flavored lagers and a multitude of fruity/spiced seasonals. That being said, BBC would be foolish not to target specific brands when trying to establish a presence a new market segment. That's how business works, and it's utterly ludicrous for Lagunitas to take it as a personal attack.

 

they have both these beers on tap at a local bowling alley ive been going to (my work is having a tournament there tomorrow!), apparently it was a test market for Sam Addams (maybe they chose it due to Lagunitas is also on tap??) honestly they taste worlds apart. SA is much easier to drink and makes Lagunitas taste hoppy in comparison. both are tasty beers and beat the crap out of the rest of the beers there. Sa is more expensive tho.

either way ill be drinking my fill of both tomorrow!

 

FWIW, I saw cases of Rebel IPA at my local Costco yesterday...which is <80 miles from Petaluma, CA. Gave it a pass and happily purchased Double Jack bombers, Lagunitas 4 packs (Lucky 13 and Hop Stoopid), and a case of Stone IPA for the big game.

 

I gotta say, I believe I have heard or read in a few different places how Jim Koch just doesnt "like" hops. A few years ago, you never saw a Sam Adams IPA or anything near one. Sam Adams already held a huge corner of the craft brewing industry, and I would hope that it was just the marketing and over heads of the company pushing it to make beers like this, or trying to "out-do" another company in the field. It seems each year there are more and more "experimental" brews by the BBC and IMO most of them fail, or arent as popular as they had hoped for, and I believe that this is why you see the incredibly similar, if not the same recipe offered as a differently named product lately. I dont ever remember seeing any hop forward Sam Adams brew in my grocery or liquor store until the past maybe 4 years. I think the Imperial Pilsener 4 pack about 4 years ago may have started it, then Noble Pils and now theres like 5 diff IPAs? I was really surprised there was an IPA in the Long Shots thing they did. Its all money, all marketing... and I think its sad they feel they need to pick on ANY other brewery, when they already have such deep roots. Maybe I am wrong, but I doubt they are hurting for money. Greed + craft beer just doesnt add up IMHO. Just to be fair, Latitude 48 is awesome, and I love most Lagunitas, and I refuse to "pick a side" because I normally just get what I want at the time of sale. However, if you MADE me choose, Id go with my local brewpub, just cause.

 

After reading this thread a few days ago, I went down to Total Wine and picked up a single 12 oz bottle of fresh SA Rebel IPA. After having it I will say this: I won't rehash my review here, but I will say that Lagunitas has nothing to fear. Rebel is a serviceable IPA and not a bad beer, but misses the "west coast IPA" mark in my opinion. I wouldn't turn one down if offered, but I won't be buying any more with tastier and closely priced brews readily available (ie, Lagunitas IPA @ 8.99 a sixer)

I can't see most craft drinkers pursuing Rebel IPA on a regular basis, and probably just using it as a fallback in limited selection situations.

 

Just bought a sixer and I must say it is a far stretch to compare this to any IPA from Lagunitas. This to me is a more mainstream take on the style which beginners to IPAs will love much like Ranger, which was my intro to hoppy beers. A good beer but not on par with the best west coast IPAs.

 

Green Flash: "West Coast IPA TM"
Sam: "West Coast style IPA"

Seems Jim is OK with -ishing it?

 

The question was clear- My vote is Lagunitas hands down.

 

I am drinking a Rebel IPA right now, and hands down Lagunitas is much better.

 

Hop stoopid is in 4 packs??