I just had my first can in many many years, I just stopped because it just turned into a mess of a beer. But whst I had yesterday was right at 2 weeks, and I'd just say it's back to what I remember when they went gold at GABF. I've been on them, I E Mailed them, and I slammed them on this site for putting out that farce of a beer. So this is my retraction so to speak, the beer that I traded head to head with Heady, then got lost for 3 years or so is now back again, another great IPA to go with the growing local great offerings. Thank you NoDa.
I don't know if it's quite back to what it was 4 years ago, but I do agree that it has certainly gotten markedly better in the last 6 months or so. The last can I had at a friends house was a pleasant surprise. Cheers to the comeback!
I understand they went to a centrifuge to increase production, but to lose it for so long was very disappointing. BTW Total Wine in Greensboro made a special run when it's gone it's gone. So if you bailed on it because of the fall off it's now imo a good buy. I can't say if it's back to what it was it's been forever ago , but I was pleasantly surprised it didn't suck.
^^^if they went to a centrifuge to increase production then they should have QC'd the hell out of it to make sure it tasted the same as the IPA that won gold at World Beer Cup. They should not have released it until they had it right - piss poor management decision IMHO
Glad to hear that and thanks for the update. Like you, I had dropped them from my buy list for that reason. Now, I'll give them another try.
I would've bought some if it was around. @nc41 : Dale, which Total? I bought it often, knew that good local retailer(s) were driving to get it, but that NODA retrenched and pulled back to the Charlotte area. I have no problem with that at all. But driving to Charlotte to get it is out of the question. I haven't been looking for it either.
Total wine on high point rd, but it's my understand that the TW discrict manager made a run and supplied all triad TWs.
For anyone not in GSO, that road is called Gate City Blvd now. Also, be sure to check the dates when buying from that location, especially when looking for IPAs.
I am currently drinking a can of HDR canned on 4/19 and it tastes great. My only regret is now that my son has graduated I will not be able to enjoy this great beer anymore. I have brought a lot of HDR back to my friends in Maryland and they love it. For four years I have seen and heard the comments about how much it changed and wasn't the "same as before" IMO it has always been a great beer, in fact, HDR and Fat Heads Head Hunter are two of the best IPAs from the East Coast. The difference is that it is now readily available. Four years ago they canned on Tuesday and sold out by the weekend. Now it is readily available and is not the same. Please enjoy this great beer, I only wish they came to Maryland.
Is it back? I don't know, but you guys intrigued me enough to pick up my first can in over a year. I too thoroughly enjoyed the Hop Drop of old, but I'll admit my pallet has changed a lot over the last four plus years. This batch (6/12 canning) had a nice nose and showcased some of those tropical flavors the gold medal winner possessed. It was definitely not the malt bombs of batches past. A comeback in the making for sure.
Used to buy a case when I could in Greensboro but you're right after a while it definitely fell off. I'll have to try and find some more next time in NC. And head to head for Heady??? Wish I would've known I could do that back in the day.
Had this canning the other day and did feel it had improved since the last time I had it. Still just an average IPA though. Par 4 is much better pound for pound IMO.
Just a heads up, but my son stopped in Greens Columbia Wednesday to pick me up a couple of four packs and they were all dated 4/19, same date as I got at graduation beginning of May. Not selling well in Columbia. Glad I trained him well.
