Other Half Brewing, October 2017

oats + lactose.

 

Guys, it's because i'm a curmudgeon Mets fan.

 

I can appreciate the sentiment of missing the old tap room, I can certainly say I talked to more people in there on cramped days then I ever would have if it was always the size of the space now. That being said, it is nice to be able to breathe and have some room to move around in the new space. I haven't been to the new space on a Saturday release yet so I am not sure what it is like on those days, but I will not miss the days of the old taproom in the dead of winter, after waiting in line to buy cans for a bit having to resort to standing in the garage to drink a pour bc it was way too crowded in the taproom and just being absolutely frozen solid. I think its human nature to miss things as they used to be, especially when they were small and intimate in a way once they start to grow larger

 

I was also there last night. The new flatscreen was a surprise and I was more than happy to sit and enjoy the Chimera while watching the yanks somehow beat the presumably unbeatable team. I particularly liked the fact that when the game was over, they didn't keep the screen showing annoying sportscasters..instead they place a aesthetically pleasing graphic on the screen like a hanging piece of art. Nice touch, OH.

 

I never have problems finding semi-awkward encounters with strangers at NYC bars.

 

Where is the TV? I'm having trouble picturing where they would put it.

 

I miss the halcyon days of the old tap room not being busy and the beer being top tier. Now we have a bigger taproom and the beer has taken a little bit of a hit.

 

Right on the wall next to the bathroom, if you are sitting at the tables its on the wall right next to the garage.

 

What the fuck is that on the right? Is that an electric light? Those guys have lost their way.

 

I too miss the vibe of the old taproom, I remember walking past it the first time I tried to go since the door was so nondescript. The thing I miss the most though is the old chalkboard, I know basically all the beers that have been released recently so its not a big deal for me, however its definitely helpful for when I bring people to the taproom so I don't have to explain as much, at least to other beer geeks.

The extra space is great though, bringing a small group of people is less of a struggle than previously which is nice. Also the lack of the bathroom line and squeezing through the bathroom line to get to the garage is something I won't be missing.

 

yeah gotta say that I'm over the hype and the direction OH has gone in recently. I loved AEE but their beers are just too heavy. It's like drinking a root beer float. I'd be interested in seeing the Nutritional Information on their beers and what additives they are using.

This is all probably just a result of me getting older (entering my mid thirties as opposed to just exiting my 20's) but I prefer OG GD, AGE, Hop Showers and single hop series. Now they just over hop everything, add a ton of oats or lactose, change a graphic on a tired pattern and add DDH to everything. Anyway, I will continue to drink their beer but I hope they start to get a little more well rounded and less one dimensional.

 

I imagine a standard NE IPA is around 300-400 calories

 

I would assume that the ones Other Half have been releasing lately are closer to the 400 side. Still I think its useful information especially since they can throw almost anything they want in there and not disclose it.

 

http://www.beeroftomorrow.com/calories-in-craft-beer/

Not perfect but decent for an estimate.

 

How many miles does that take to burn off? And at what pace?

 

Totally agree with this sentiment. I suspect it's because I'm in the same age bracket, but I find myself getting much more excited about beers in the 6-7% range versus the (pretty much OH standard) 8.5%. I'm someone who likes to have 2-3 beers in a session, simply for the opportunity to taste varying flavors. I can't really do that with 8-9% beers without a huge hit to my quality of life the next day. The DDH thing is out of control too, but that's another argument/rant. I'm with you in wanting a more rounded output from OH or any brewery for that matter. OH has put out some lower ABV stuff recently, but those are occasional at best.

Would never hate on Other Half, though. They are making some of the best beer in the region and I drink it quite often.

 

seek out suarez stuff.

 

I don't have a problem finding local beers lower than 8% but I also don't drink IPAs exclusively. As I've hit 40 I've also lost a bit of weight staying away from beers over 8%. I'd rather have flavorful, well rounder beers at 5-6%

 

Much as I think OH deserves criticism for four out of every five beers being a DDH DIPA, I will say that I’m glad they’re generally in the 8% range as I (usually) can’t stand double digit hoppy beers.

But yeah 4-6% is my sweet spot. (I’m 36 for the record)