Over/Underrated Beers of 2015

Bourbon County for both.

 

Again taking into consideration what it took to get one. Just about any other tier one coffee stout. Am I glad I tried it? Sure. Was it worth it? No.

Im not saying its bad but it is overated. It was one of the most hyped beers of the year and just really didnt do anything for me.

But to answer your question...
Any of the Derivations, BCBCS, Good Morning, Veritas, West Ashley, Fram and Abricot du Fermier, Pulling Nails, Maman, BA Abraxas, BA Sump, Regular Sump, Rare, Brickstone Coffee Stout, Brickstore Coffee Stout w. Raspberry, The Abduction, The Jones Dog, Fou, Nilla Rye, Big Train, Cathulu, La Fossee. Ect.

 

Great beer - one of my favorite non-BA'd RIS', but sadly I was apparently the only person in VA buying it, as they left several years ago.

I would completely agree, but I 'll do so while offering the slight caveat that possibly this beer was highly acclaimed by a narrow few that really, really REALLY dig pepper beers. My disdain for it would then be similar to my avoidance of sours / funk, whereas it's legitimately good, just not for me. Extreme beers like this may be in that fold for me.

Stealing the definition premise from @MNAle , because it just seems more fitting to describe as such...

Disappointed:
Hardywood Rum Pumpkin. Up until the moment I tried it, I believed that rum made everything better.
Devils' Backbone Wood Aged Kilt Flasher: Up until the moment I tried it, I believed "wood aged" made everything better
Citra Sunshine Slacker: The beer that cured my desire for "session" IPAs
Maine Brewing Lunch: It was good, but it was painted as a magical unicorn picture that would solve world peace AND provide eternal bacon

Pleasantly Surprised:
MOA Imperial Stout: Wasn't expecting more than (I'm being honest here...) a New Zealand tick, but was genuinely blown away.
Other Half Mosaic: I was dying to try Al Green Everything (which is fantastic) but this one came out of nowhere to blow my mind.
Stone Chai-Spiced RIS & Green Tea DIPA: I found both of these fairly controversial beers to be fantastic.
Fremont Brewing in general: Received a number of their beers in a BIF, and for not knowing much about them before, I sure as hell know about them now!

I know I am missing a few on both sides of the aisle, but those are ones that stand out.

 

Taking availability out of the question - all of those tasted better than Mornin Delight?

 

If I take Availibility out. I would still take half of that list over MD. Again. Its good, just not THAT good.

 

Overrated:
Firestone Walker Union Jack, I had it several times when traveling this year and maybe I got some old bottles but it was always bland as hell.

Underrated:
Maine Beer Co MO, outstanding hoppy ale with an amazing nose. I though Lunch was unremarkable and preferred MO or Another One. I'll say I enjoyed MO as much as some of the hoppy Hill Farmstead beers I've had.

Wicked Weed Pernicious, amazing beer and in my opinion better then Freak of Nature which gets more buzz.

 

For 2015:
Overrated/Disappointed:
Abyss
4 Beans
BA Narwhal
DFH Higher Math

Underrated
Voodoo Big Black Voodoo Daddy
Big Bad Baptist
Clown Shoes: Crasher in the Rye/Rexx/Breakfast Exorcism
Stone Woot Stout 3.0
New Holland Night Tripper
Firestone Walker Helldorado

 

So much YES! Definitely was surprised (in a great way) with MOA. I had it with dinner a few months ago, and it knocked my socks off. The best part was the restaurant I was at wasn't in any way known for its beer. Great find right there.

 

Totally agree on Siberian Night and Crooked Tree. They have both blown me away in the past

 

Liked it more than other people: Sam Adams Kosmic Mother Funk.
Disliked it more than other people: Stone Chai Spiced Imperial Stout. I think this is possibly the worst beer ever. I was also not very impressed by the regular version.

 

Overrated:

21st Amendment Toaster Pastry - Nope
Stone Pale 2.0 - one of the biggest letdowns of the year, IMO
the Bruery Black Tuesday - Very good, but not worth the effort

Underrated:

Whatever Otter Creek Decides to put in a Mix 12pk
Saranac Pacific Galaxy
Abita Wrought Iron IPA

 

Over: Victory at Sea, Ballast Point (this beer was worst one I've tried in a while, disappointing)
Toaster Pastry, 21st (why is this beer so expensive, it's boring)
Higher Math, DFH (ehhhh, not for the price)

I'm not saying these beers are bad. They just don't suit my tastes.

Under: Fort, DFH (this beer is really great and rating is only in the 80's)
Maple Pecan Bourbon Street, Abita (great barrel-aged beer for $10)

 

Overrated 2015- Surly Wet
Underrated CW BB Scotch Ale

 

Under rated
Speedway stout blew my mind
120, palo santo and burton baton all are incredibly under rated. All three are in my too ten beers period.
Dark truth stout

 

Disappointed: founders harvest ale, alpine duet, gumblehead (what happened to this beer?), ten fidy, most recent dbc batch, pliny (what happened to this beer?), heady (compared to the hype that is)

Pleasantly surprised: born yesterday, mosaic promise, all revolution pale ales in the can, all things Casey Brewing

 

I couldn't agree more. My first sip was like "Man, this tastes just like root beer!" About 1/3 of the way into the bottle and it was a sugary mess that I couldn't bear to stomach any more of.

 

Overrated: Heady SoS Haze Breakfast Stout

Underrated All Green Everything, Xoco for the Holidays, Last Rites by Iron Fire

 

Overrated: Grapefruit Sculpin. Not only did I dislike it, I gave away rest of the cans I had after trying it twice.

Underrated: Backwoods Bastard. I dislike scotch ales in general, but this is outstanding. Surprised me.

 

Love Siberian Night, I take this & Thirsty Dog in general for granted for being sooooooo readily available. Wulver is something special. They do have a couple "dogs" in the lineup though...HEYOOOOOH