Notable Releases - DC/NOVA/MD

Keep scrolling down below the map where it's already popping up. VA is on the list to get both the Unfiltered and Black IPA. Just has not started hitting shops yet (at least here in Central VA)

 

Nope. She was killing it at Wormtown and then got picked up by Sam Adams.

 

I saw that but someone had posted in the Unfiltered thread that they saw/received a message from Stone saying that PA was not getting any even though the website has PA listed as a state receiving EB 2.14.16. Wondering if it's the same situation for VA.

 

Interesting. With parts of the new facility opening in RVA in the Spring I would hope they don't cut it from VA but I guess we shall see. I may begin to get worried if it does not show up by next week.

 

Enjoy By hits distribution 35-40 days before the Enjoy By Date. We should be seeing it next week.

 

The new Devils Backbone Collaboration Pack should start hitting shelves today (probably even popped up earlier this week) in NOVA, DC, Maryland, West Va and NC. Collabs with NoDa, Sun King, Surly, Thunder Road and Wicked Weed. More info in the link. http://www.cheersva.org/event/devils-backbone-adventure-pack-collaboration-pack-official-release/

 

hoping to find some hopslam now that bells distributes to maryland!

 

I'm hoping we see mini-kegs!

 

Anyone else less than enthusiastic about Hopslam this year. It's a very good beer, but $20/6 pack good compared to other DIPAs that have entered the market in the past couple of years?

 

I get less enthusiastic about it every year. Not so much at the price but that it's just not what it used to be. Several years ago it was awesome for my tastes but it has been getting sweeter and more resiny each year since.

 

Haven't had it in probably 3 years honestly. Would much rather have some Nugget Nectar

 

I've wondered that too. Have my tastes changed that much or has the recipe changed.

 

Mentioned this in another thread w/respect to Hopslam, but I think it's more that DIPAs keep evolving and Hopslam is the same thing. When it came out it was revolutionary but now DIPAs have continued to evolve and it's the same. With so many fresh local options for "new school" IPAs, especially coming out of NE, Hopslam seems dated by comparison. I don't think it's actually changing or getting worse, just that other DIPAs are getting better.

 

It's also a bit dated by the time it hits our market, typically 3-4 weeks before you even see the first sixers, so usually 4-6 weeks before consumed, if not more.

 

For those who didn't get their fix of the Hardywood holiday bombers yet, BB GBS, Xmas Morning, and KY Xmas Morning will be at Trader Joe's 14th St. at the end of next week, probably around Thursday.

 

Is it strictly this TJ or others as well?

 

This exactly! When I first had Hopslam maybe 6-7 years go, I'd never had anything else like it. I absolutely would've deemed it my favorite beer in 2010-2011. But do you know what happened in 2011? I tried Heady Topper and Hill Farmstead's IPAs for the first time, and my life was forever changed. Hopslam never tasted the same again once I started drinking this new generation of hoppy beers. After buying as much as I possibly could for years, I didn't buy a single 6-pack last year. Sorry Hopslam, but us hop-lovers have moved on.

 

It's not so much the price, if it were still $20 (it's like $22-25 where I shop) that would be pretty average for a 10% DIPA seeing that most beers that big are in $8-10 bombers or $14 sixers. I just am not into the hype that surrounds this beer, I'm sure I'd still enjoy it but people in this area seem to go nuts over it. If I see it on draft, I'll surely drink some but other than that, I'll drink what I think are better beers. Don't think I've bought a sixer since 2013 or 2014.

 

The one in Foggy Bottom is getting the same but a lot less than 14th St, though possibly not even KY Xmas Morning. No idea about VA stores.

 

I called the one in Springfield - they said they knew they were going to get a shipment from Hardywood, but weren't sure what the contents would be.