Alpine Brewing Thread

is it just me but does every old timer that goes to the bar just older mandarin or the ale?

Also last week's new batch of fresh PH was badass good. Less hoppy/bitter and more balanced, one of the better batches in awhile.

 

this here is bidness folks... as much as they try and keep up the reputation it's no longer the Alpine we pined for... and there's only one direction the beer can go to now.

 

We were at GF a week and a half ago and was told they were in the middle of brewing (just finished dry hopping) their first batch of Pure Hoppiness there. They even said it probably wouldn't be perfect right away and will take some time to dial it in.

 

I remember seeing GF bottle labels for 22 oz Mandarin Nectar and 12 oz Willy Vanilly. So someday down the road those may no longer be brewed up in Alpine.

Also, with the huge run GF is going to do for Pure Hoppiness in November the latest batch could be a test run from GF. Seems odd to have a huge release coming up in November and not be testing it now.

 

if it was, I think they did a good job! Unless you want big hoppy in your face, then i guess they didn't. ha

 

Somebody get a Delorean Time Machine and prevent this madness. I want my Nelson and Duet made from Alpine's divinely blessed water back!

 

where is everyone finding bottles of Hoppy Birthday

 

Try your local bevmo.
9$ plus tax...no thanks, maybe if it was the real thing maybe..not for green flush tho.

 

I have had Nelson about 25 times or so over last 4 years. Had it for the first time in a year today, it is definitely not the same beer as it used to be. It was pretty good, but this version of Nelson compared to all the great beer out there now, it is average beer.

 

Had some HFS earlier at the pub... it's so tasty. At least we still have the Alpine exclusives...

 

Had a Nelson tonight for the first time in 3 years from the bottle, I did not notice a difference, stoked I can buy Nelson again!
I ain't no BJCP judge, the beer tasted the same to me.

 

No need to be a BJCP judge if you have been drinking alpine for years you would know the difference

 

Well finally saw some GF Nelson in the wild at Handy Mart in Burbank. But for $10 a 500ml...yikes.

 

Bottles of ABC/GF can be found in NOC area. Well at least in HB. Prices are a little higher than brewery prices but still reasonable. Bought 1 HB bottle. Will try this weekend. Had many times at pub and out of growler. Nelson coming soon. A must try to compare. Duet in due time. NO rush.
I see Bad Boy is back on tap. Might be a good time for a road trip south. But I also got one heading north in 3 weeks. And that one is priority.

 

They're 22oz bottles. Their shape is misleading.

Plenty of people have already chimed in but after having all three from the bottle this week I can say Nelson is very good and close to the original, Hoppy Birthday is totally lacking aroma and kind of astringently bitter, and Duet was just nowhere near the original. I'll keep buying Nelson if I see it around.

 

Good call...didn't check the label, just looked at the shape.

 

the Green Flash label is molded into the bottle.

 

Had my first Hoppy birthday out of the bottle and it was damn good. Not quite ABC level but definitely better than any draft I've had at bars so far. Yeah aroma could use some work but hopefully they perfect the recipie over time.

I've got a Nelson growler to dig into next. The bottle I've had isn't the same as fresh Nelson on draft at the source but nothing will ever compare to that sexy rye goodness. Sad to think those days are over. It's like having fresh younger at RRBC the first couple years vs a month old keg when it starts to turn malty and boozy. Just no comparison. Especially if you are a hop fiend.

Overall there's improvement and I'm optimistic but the diehard ABC nerds probably won't ever be satisfied. If I lived closer to the source I would probably be more upset about it but if green flash brewing means I can get it at 80-90% quality with hopefully some improvement in the future plus further distro to LA I'm ok with that.

 

David, BB won't be on until next week along with a new DIPA that Scotty brewed called High Kicks, its 9.4%. Make sure you fill up with HFS too.

Cheers…...

 

I have a few of the original Alpine bottles from the brewery in my fridge from a few weeks ago, right before they started selling GF bottles. I tried to keep them as long as I could without compromising too much flavor. I cracked open a Duet and even at a few weeks the original is amazing. Great nose, great taste. World-class! I've had quite a few GF Duets on draft and there's no comparison in flavor between the two.