Biggest Dissapointment in CA Beers for 2017

I think you’re overthinking this a bit. My disappointment at the increase in focusing on independence is rooted in that the independence seems to be coming at the expense of facts for a lot of people. Hipsters tend to want seem like an “enlightened bunch”, like they know something you don’t. I’m not trying to pretend like this is some sort of hot take. I just wish breweries would be honest about what they’re trying to do, which is using “independence” as a marketing gimmick that they hope will appeal to a lot of craft beer drinkers, or stfu.

 

Their browns are my personal favorite...maybe because few make brown ales in CA anymore, but nitro Chocolate Milk is a must grab whenever I find it. YMMV

 

Please Never take it for granted

 

I will second and third others for FW not releasing Sucaba. I don't mind the switch to 12oz bottles (though I think anniversary should have stayed in bombers). I'm waiting for 2017 Parabola to hit the sweet spot (which is about a year old for me) before passing judgment. My biggest gripe is that I want to see more expressions from FW's vintage series make it to distribution. Why don't we get a Parabajava release in the fall? Drop Velvet Merkin and have a rotation every year such as a Scotch Parabola or Brandy barrel Sucaba. Mix it up and actually release Rum-dorado as an alternate to Helldorado. I know I'm dreaming a bit but I see breweries like Deschutes putting out Abyss variants and wonder why FW is content to release Velvet Merkin every...single...year.

 

Good beer but not even close to $25 a bottle good.

I'd be surprised if CBS doesn't come in $20-$25 four packs next time around now that all the tickers have had it.

 

Can you give me some evidence of breweries who emphasize their independent status, particularly those who you claim use that status as a marketing gimmick? I try to tune out press releases or advertising so I never really notice these gimmicks. While there may be a small minority of craft drinkers who actively abstain from drinking big beer, most drinkers are just looking for what tastes good to them regardless of the brewery's craft status. I think you're just sensitive to the word "independent" and unconsciously having a hipster moment.

 

My big disappointment from 2017 was Fremont's decision to limit California distribution to Southern California.

 

The biggest culprit of it around here is Beachwood. You’ll see a ton of propaganda on their social media feeds about it. They’ve started printing the words “It matters who makes your beer” on some of their labels. They made an IPA called Invasive Species that is a direct shot at Ballast Point and Sculpin.

But pretty much anyone that puts that BA seal on their packaging is using Independence as a marketing tool. All the while supporting businesses in other industries that are not independent.

 

If a major brewery opened six miles away from me, I'd do a pretty big marketing push. Especially since these major breweries have the capital to push out smaller breweries from bars and markets (which is also probably why more breweries are opting with just selling through their breweries rather than distributing e.g. Monkish no longer distributing)

 

Sorry, take what for granted? I know that we are fortunate to live in CA and have all the amazing beer options. I started drinking in the 80's and know the waste land of American beer at that time.

If you are referring to going to Santa Cruz, I have a wife and four boy's to raise over the past 25 years. My weekends have been a little busy.

 

Maybe their motive is as you suggest, but I'd hope the overarching goal is transparency. How much leverage/control do they have in these other industries, that they may be forced to do business with out of necessity lacking an independent alternative? We as purchasers of their product have some ability to make a more informed decision with this labeling. Quality wins, but when its comparable between products with similar freshness I'm more apt to give my $ to the independent. YMMV

 

Let me clarify, what bothers me about this whole thing is Beachwood is cramming independence down people’s throat claiming that anyone that drinks Beer made by macro brewery is evil. If they came out and said “hey guys, were a tiny industry and we need all the help we can get, so we’ve started using independence to help persuade people who care about that to buy our product over macro breweries”, I would be fine with it. But they seem super hypocritical when they support big corporations in other industries.

We all know that living solely off of independent companies is damn near impossible. But that’s what makes this campaign seem silly to me.

 

What other industries?

 

Big Nacho Chip...don't be fooled!

 

Take your pick...cars, clothing, food, cell phones, computers, everything. Every industry is dominated by big business, it’s just the way of our world. That’s why I said that it’s nearly impossible to be completely free of non-independent businesses.

 

This thread is getting too edgy for me.

 

Try living here for the last 40 years... :/

 

I believe Smog had a slightly hazy IPA similar to a Born Yesterday type but they really don't do haze either. But you can easily go two blocks to Monkish to cure that fix I just wanted one of the LAX area breweries to produce one. I still love a double west coast hop bomb but a little more variety would be great. Hell even a tropical non hazy juice bomb would be a welcome sight.

 

I agree they could use more variation on their tap list but at the same time their haze has made Monkish a hot commodity on both coast. They're mentioned alongside with all the top haze makers in the country. Also they make a killing with their can releases. But they do have a solid backbone and technique in almost all the styles of brewing and can switch at the drop of a dime if need be. I'm kinda impressed really.

 

You're presenting two positions, which are both extremes. That's what's called a false dilemma. In this case, Beachwood can still claim the independent banner while still utilizing services from firms who dominate their respective industries (and impossible to avoid).