Ballast Point becoming gimmicky?

If I had to make assumptions, I would say that, with the popularity of craft beer probably growing the fastest that it ever has, that these fruit variants are probably very inviting and appealing to people just starting out, especially with the Grapefruit Sculpin hype that they may hear about. Also, I'd be willing to bet that more hardcore fans of Sculpin, Grapefruit Sculpin, or Ballast Point in general, could be picking up a lot of sixers of these new ones, just based on BP's reputation. Whether or not they rate them highly, or ever buy those variations again is yet to be seen.

 

I love seeing threads like these.

From my own observations in the industry, the average American beer drinker has become extremely spoiled. I say this because whatever the consumer wants is generally what they get. I have people come into my brewery, look at the menu, and then leave simply because we have nothing new on tap from the last time they were here. So what do I do? I now make several small batches every week or so just to appease that customer.

If a brewery has the means to experiment then I think they should. Innovation is driving this industry and it also keeps the passion alive. I always tell myself the second that brewing beer becomes "work" Ill find someone to replace me.

 

I've brewed lots of fruit beers, and when you're looking for a fruit flavor to stand out you have to use extract or a crapton of fruit. When it comes to their beers I can guarantee they use fruit and extract, the fruit gives it that "fruity-ness" that extract doesn't have.

 

We had the Ginger Big Eye on at the bar I work at and it was amazing. Could hardly keep it on tap!

 

I'm not sure why people care. If you think it's gimmicky, that's your opinion, don't buy them then. It doesn't bother me to see other flavors as long as they don't get rid of the core ones. Who cares? I wouldn't mind trying the Mango Even Keel, I love Even Keel. My only complaint is their prices. I'm not sure why they are higher than most other easily accessible brands.

 

I don't find a lot either but I did find a 6 pack of cans marked down from 14$ to 10$ and it's only a month old with great hop flavor. I loved bp base beers but other smaller breweries need my $$$ now. expect for v@s to good not to consume keep the peppermint out tho bottled toasted coconut would be cool

 

I don't see how the mentioned beers make them gimmicky. Take a look on their website at all the hot pepper beers they've made in small batches. They've been trying different things for a while. I enjoy it. Now I just hope they release 12oz bottles of something hotter than Habanero Sculpin.

I'm also anxiously awaiting my local bottle shop to get in Pineapple Sculpin. I'm excited to try it!

 

They are high because people pay it. All of my retailers tell me they have zero problems moving BP.

 

Yeah exactly.

Every brewery and their mother is experimenting with fruit. Green Flash just released a few variants of their beers with fruit, Ska Brewing released Modus Mandarina, and New Belgium just released Citradelic. If you haven't seen this before then you're oblivious.

 

I thought the Peppermint Victory at Sea was really tasty, and I'm happy to give all of the other Ballast Point offerings a try...I haven't seen any of them yet, but I'll try them when I do

 

I will take "natural flavor" over the ever more prominent "artificial flavor" on a label.

 

Greg just posted a review of the pineapple sculpin on youtube.

He made me less excited to try it lol

 

Grapefruit Sculpin is far more popular than this site would suggest. It has become a go-to party beer in San Diego: in fact on the Superbowl I was astounded by the number of Grapefruit Sclupin sixes being carried right along with 30-racks of Miller Lite.

 

Mmmm nothing like cleansing that hoppy grapefruit flavor with the champagne of beer!

 

If you replace with "average beer geek" I agree 100%.

The average American beer drinker is typically not too spoiled. If the bar does not have their favorite beer of Bud Light they will typically order a Miller Lite or Coors Light instead.

Cheers!

 

The term beer geek has actually lost a lot of meaning now. The market has become flooded with self proclaimed beer geeks. The only demographics I see with macro at bars are the old men that refuse to change their beer and broke college aged kids. Even then I get a lot of early twenties in my tasting room and they all act and talk like they have been in the craft scene for years.

 

I thought they were different and fun to be honest. I've heard from distributors and others here that they had these beers in the taproom for some time and just didn't bottle them. Must have sold well enough in the TR to warrant giving a go bottling them.

What about Goose Island and BCS variants? Yes they did them before they were bought up but they still did them, so is that gimmicky too? As long as the beer is tasty I don't care why they made it. All that matters is that I do or don't like it.

 

That was my indeed my point. Lots of Breweries using various fruits all over the place and lots of people scooping them up to drink them. The Belgians (and several US breweries) have been doing beer with Fruits added for many years (Although I think the Belgians have been doing it the longest). Nothing "gimmicky" about fruit in beer. (Although I chose not to call others "oblivious." )

 

No kidding. They just put out a beer "brewed with maple syrup aged in bourbon barrels, toasted pecans and guajillo peppers" that people went crazy over, and yet people are calling Ballast Point gimmicky?

 

I hope there is a category for "gimmmicky" at GABF next year. I'd be happy to judge. On topic (and beaten like a dead horse already), everyone is on the fruit bandwagon. Next year something else will reign supreme. I'm cool with that. That's what makes this hobby fun!