Exploding Westbrook IPA?

I hate to say it because I really, really love their beers, but anything packaged in something other than a keg from Westbrook is pretty much a "Buyer Beware" situation. I've had wild fluctuations with their IPA (from awesome, to meh, to super over foamy), infected Amarillo Rye and Dark Helmet bottles, and witnessed two exploding Mexican Cake bottles (yet still bought two).

That said, I'll be lining up for some Brett and No Mices bottles because holy hell is it a wonderful beer.

 

Heard quite a few stories about bulging/exploding cans. I know they stopped canning for a bit and have just recently restarted, so maybe they are working out the kinks of the restarted process. At any rate, not a good development for these local boys.

 

I bought probably four 6 packs of Westbrook IPA in the past 2 weeks and never had a problem with a single can. Sorry for your misfortunes

 

Just bought a six pack of the IPA last week and it was fine, as well. I have never had any problems with any of their bottled beers, either, though I have a few in the fridge right now and will pay close attention. Not doubting your experience, just providing additional data for others who are interested.

 

My wife bought me a 6 pack of White Thai (along with some growlers) in Hilton Head last week. Haven't tried one yet, but the cans look normal to me.

 

One of my Mexican Cake bottles exploded in my cellar/closet while i was on vacation two weeks ago and I turned the air conditioning off.. I had to wash all my clothes and i am still working on getting all the beer off the walls.. the glass didnt explode only the top came off but it gushed everywhere...

 

I've had one Westbrook IPA can explode on me. I've heard various people mention that Dark Helmet, Pacific Jade Rye and Amarillo Rye have been infected(I've only had infected Pacific Jade). The Evil Twin Biscotti Break(not the imperial version) was a major gusher. The caps on the Mexican Cake bottles looked like they were barely on all the way. I fixed that by using the bottle capper I have to tighten down the caps, I know that is what the Green's in Columbia did also.

They seem to have had some issues but they're still young so I'm sure thing will get worked out eventually. At least the beer is usually very good.

 

I had an exploder that I left in my trunk for a drive through the day from Tampa to Fort Lauderdale. The other IPA cans were fine, although one did develop a bulge at some point (I forget when). Good beer, though.

 

I had two explode within a few minutes of one another.
http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/what-causes-exploding-bottles.28237/#post-347582

 

Danielle (gothedistance) just had one explode at an account this morning...New dress on its way!

 

I have a feeling my exploding can was from an earlier batch, before the repair to the canning line. And yes, I smell like IPA, with a healthy douse of air freshener until I can find the time to stop and pick up a new dress.

 

Keep the stories coming, folks. I'm sure Westbrook wants to know about this issue. I *personally* have not had any issue, but two of my friends have.

 

I've been helping bartend at a small tiki bar this summer and the bar manager purchased a case of Covert Hops and every one of them has been a foamy mess. He lost his ass on that case and I'm pretty sure he won't be buying anymore Westbrook bombers.

I personally had an infected Dark Helmet and have traded away several of their brews where I was contacted later by the recipient notifying me of an infected Westbrook beer. Thankfully none of my Mexican Cake, Pacific Jade or Amarillo Rye was infected or exploded.

Now I am worried about the Gose and the Saison i left in my car today. Excuse me while I run to the parking lot...

Edit: whew!

 

I did have an issue with their canned IPA back in March, but to their credit they took care of me. Packaging issues aside from being young, I agree with many others on this thread that they have made some really delicious beers.

 

Last week I shipped a box that took 2 days to ship...1 Westbrook IPA exploded ..another was about to pop...it was a Birmingham shipment as well...possibly a problem with the shipment we received ..

 

Weird. I have purchased plenty of Westbrook beer...cans/bottles/growler fills and have never had any issues with infection or exploding beer. Hopefully they get any issues resolved.

 

I had a trade recently where I shipped a Bella Vigna. The first bottle didn't make it out of town before it exploded. UPS called and I got my box back. I had to buy another bottle and reship. It popped as well during transit. I was going to mention it at the brewery next time I am in Chucktown.

 

I've had a couple of infected cans of IPA in the past as well as a bottle of Amarillo pale. I've told Edward about the mishaps and he's taken note.

 

I've had some infected bottles and cans. Westbrook is one of my favorite brewers. It is great getting fresh Westbrook beers in a place like Myrtle Beach that was a beer ghost town just a few years back. I fear this is an example of why a brewers need to be VERY VERY careful brewing sours and wild beers. They have done some very cool things with Berliners, Gose, etc but my guess is those beers with crazy yeasts can cause havoc in bottling lines and other equipment and why few brewers do it. I would rather they stick to the base beers which are great vs. risk it with all the unique sours.