I dont understand: distaste for hops

As you pay more attention to the community, and not just the beer itself, you'll notice that hoppy beers get a hell of a lot of attention. It is unusual that you say you don't know a lot of people who like hoppy beers. IPA is by far and away the most popular style of beer (outside BMC light lagers). Brewers are obviously aware of this and so they produce more IPAs and DIPAs - they sell better than other styles. The reason this annoys many beer lovers is because this means that other styles are less available in the market.

 

I think the over-abundance of IPAs has diluted the style credibility tremendously -- especially the ones that are only so-so and the ones that taste like any other IPA down the shelf (which could be redundant, but you get my drift).

 

Over hopping beer is the equivalent of new oak used with wine. While a little can help shape and round flavors a lot, i.e. 100% new oak barrels, is overpowering and reduces an otherwise complex wine to a one dimensional wine, with little in the way of fruit and balance. Same with hops. When overused, you get a beer that tastes like nothing but hops. Great for some but not so great if you like your beer with a bit more balance and nuances. There will always be those people that like big, bold, in your face flavors, no worries. Everyone should drink what pleases them but don't be afraid to stretch your palate once in a while and challenge your taste buds.

 

I wouldn't say it is always a distaste but many have a greater appreciation of styles/beers with more nuance and finesse. Many of these have been around for decades and perhaps much longer.

 

Touching on some of the points made by others - with so many on the market, IPA is no longer 'reliably good'. If you pick a new one up off the shelf, there's now a greater chance that it's not that great. The brewer just brewed another IPA because they knew it would sell.

Also, it's not the beer itself that many lament, it's the unfair amount of attention it receives.

Full disclosure. I LOVE them. I also am a stout fiend.

 

Don't mistake distaste for burn out, like when they killed your favorite song by playing it EVERYWHERE that summer. We're bored to death of IPAs.

 

FTFY

 

Curious, for those who are tired of the IPA craze, what would you like to see become the next big thing?

 

Individual hoppy beers tend to be fads. Certain hops and hopping methods tend to be fads. See the current craze for turbid IPAs coming from NE.

 

Why be married to one style when you can get plenty of solid strange out there? This is why I drink seasonal, the OP should be drowning himself in SN Oktoberfest and any German originals. IPAS will always be around.

 

Back when I first started my beer journey (as an immature beer consumer), if something was bitter, I'd immediately dismiss it as "who would drink this" and pour it satisfyingly down the drain.

New Belgium's Ranger comes to mind. I rated 1's on that at first, let my (now ex) wife try it, and she hated it, and I said "people are crazy".

A bit later on, I decided to start giving APA's and IPA's a chance, starting with the more mild stuff. I gradually warmed up and while I still dislike IPA's and DIPA's, I can respect them. I also review them because well, they're beer. I re-reviewed Ranger after 3 years and surprisingly quadrupled my rating. It just takes time and a developed palate. Also some maturity. Just because it's bitter doesn't mean it's bad. In fact sometimes the opposite is true.

On the flipside of the coin, I hate the people that have "matured immaturely", and now diss classic American Adjunct Lagers. I mean c'mon, guys...it all has its place. Rolling Rock isn't going to taste like Ranger, and you shouldn't expect it to. Quit giving 1's just because it's not as character-driven as the more expensive "crafts".

Bottom line : Enjoy beer, expand your horizons.

 

All styles, not just one fad. Yeah, it sounds trite, but why does good beer have to be defined by one style? My tastes run to what I'm in the mood for -- sometimes it's a good APA, sometimes a Porter, sometimes a Hefeweizen -- I like the opportunity of choice, but sometimes I feel like the IPAs (and DIPAs) are starting to over-run the shelves.

 

I wouldn't quite say that the "staple" of any brewery is the IPA. It's not the finish line, it's not the starting point - it's a style, and that's all. How well or poor a brewery does an IPA has no profound effect whatsoever on how good the brewery is. Take Deschutes for instance, their flagship beer is the Black Butte Porter. They stake their name on that beer, and it's pretty fantastic. (fwiw and to tie in, their IPAs aren't bad either)

Try not to get stuck on rigid formalities or popular opinions. Form your own, go against the grain, drink what you like. But don't be afraid to explore.

 

I read about more love for IPAs than hate from any level BA.
Guinness has put out an IPA. That is fairly "commercial". And I would say that most people who don't drink beer could tolerate an Imperial Stout but not a rip your tongue off triple IPA.