Breweries you've done a 180 on

I had the exact opposite experience with Brothers. My experience was a positive 180 I had never had any of their bigger beers like Resolute and didn't really think a whole lot about their flagships. Then recently they changed their IPA recipe (or so I heard) and I tried it again and really liked it. I started trying some of their seasonal cans and have liked them. Even though I was not able to attend the event for 2015 Resolute my Brother in Law did hook me up with a regular bottle and did a pretty friendly trade for the double vanilla. Those I think may be the best beers I have had brewed in Va. I'm going to Despot Day this weekend though, so we'll see if I stay of that opinion. Also from what I understand they did an outstanding job for the Resolute Release and other breweries in the area are trying similar techniques.

 

Clown Shoes is the first one to come to mind. The label art and beer names were way too try-hard, but they are cranking out just phenomenal stuff right now. Space Cake was the first one that turned me, but every subsequent beer of theirs I've had I would more than gladly re-visit. I go out of my way to look for their beers now.

Otter Creek is the other. They used to be fairly boring, and now they're absolutely killing it with both hoppy beers and with darker/heavier ones too. Just really churning out great stuff.

 

Short's is gonna distribute now. I haven't consumed Short's in years, and will never drink another Short's beer, even if I no longer have to trade for them. Used to love them too.

 

This thread makes me think that I haven't really done a 180 on any brewery. Plenty I love and a few that I hate but those have been very consistent over many years. Saranac is the only one I can think of. I used to like them after I turned 21 but now they're pretty lousy.

 

Hopslam also makes great sours.

 

Otter Creek was mentioned and it was a brewery I had 15-20 years ago and liked but then stopped enjoying there product 5 or more years ago.
Now they are kicking ass again with some new beers and recipes!

 

I like how you rate an entire brewey off of the one beer of theirs that you drink.

 

Can we still be friends?

 

Lagunitas. Used to drink them more frequently. Then I slowly came to the realization that their beers are mostly second-rate craft. Then I found out what kind of person Tony Magee is...and then the Heineken deal was the final straw.

 

+180: Clown Shoes, their barrel program reeled me back in and now i grab most of their releases. Pipeworks, i thought that their stouts were a little overdone and muddled up, but Lizard King and Ninja Vs Unicorn brought me back.

-180: Stone, i just didn't know any better. now i do.

 

I did a 180* on Firestone Walker. I used to think it was a tire company so I never got their beer.

 

Great lakes. I used to think every beer tasted too much like a macro with corn adjunct. Now I've come to love and respect the brewery and making solid TRADITIONAL beers without getting caught up in the mainstream crazy adjunct adding marketing razzle dazzle.

 

- 180 Lost Abbey. I used to get Lost Judgement and Serpent Stout regularly, but I haven't purchased any for a couple of years. When I tried other styles from them, they were too hit and miss. Mostly miss.
+ 180 Lagunitas. For many years, I thought that they were just about IPAs. Tried their Fusion at SF Beer Week this year and was blown away. Add their breadth of styles and cost point.
- 90 Deschutes. Their price points for Abyss and Mirror Mirror are a couple of bucks higher than better options. I can buy better beer at less price.

 

I did a 360 on Two Brothers out in Aurora, IL a couple years ago when I toured the Roundhouse

 

You did notice StoneGreg liked your post...

 

Sure, why not, it's just beer.

I don't knock Hopslam myself, but it's not a beer I like. Too much honey flavor to me, and I'm not a big DIPA guy anyway.

Seriously though, many of Bell's regular lineup beers are benchmarks for their style....

Two Hearted
Kalamazoo Stout
Porter
Expedition
Third Coast Ale
Amber
Best Brown
Double Cream Stout
Smitten

Some are up there with the better European examples, plus usually fresher...

Consecrator Doppelbock
Bell's Lager

And a trip to Kzoo will convince you that their one offs can be seriously good too.

 

I didn't notice, but I'm sure it doesn't bother him. Their business is growing steadily all the time but we oldtimers make up a small group compared to all the new drinkers.

Notice I'm not the only one saying they have had a 180 away from Stone in this thread... but again, their business seems to be booming, so clearly they no longer need my money.

 

Sierra Nevada is one I used to have quite a bit years back and I hardly ever purchase their beers now. Their beers are good but they honestly don't WOW me anymore. Their beers haven't changed. I have.

 

Noble Ale Works. Not that long ago their offerings were limited, bland, and sometimes even flat. Now they're a literal west coast powerhouse...

 

I visited the brewery in December 2014 and couldn't find a single beer I liked. Haven't had any since. Are they better now?