The Half-Acre thread (2018)

I thought this year's batch was pretty top notch (and I'm one of the loudest BHA fanboys here). With that being said:

I did have a can that ran into an issue I've had with HA before--there was a little sediment (or yeast haze) that fell into the beer, and it made it very slightly more opaque, and it lost some of the crisp finish. HA beers have this "issue" sometimes, so usually I leave a few ounces in the can for the end. I had this happen much more last year with BHA, so I was mostly happy it went back to completely crisp/clear this year.

The only other thing I can think of that differed is that a couple years back there was also a hazier version that was tap-only. If you preferred that one, yeah, I can definitely see this not quite matching up (I thought they were equally good).

/end BHA rant

 

I thought this years version was as good as any they’ve done. I thought last year wasn’t up to the lofty standard they previously set, but honestly, it’s quite possible my palate was just off that week - maybe I had a cold, or maybe I was depressed (or super happy) - trying to figure out tasting notes 12 months not apart is an absolute fools errand.

What I do know, when I drank BHA this year, I really enjoyed it, and look forward to the next time I’ll be able to drink it.

 

Half acre consistently places highly. I think Vallejo was sent in a few years ago and placed 7th or something like that.

Fremont, Breakside, Maine, Tree House and several others are all make regular appearances high on that list.

 

Dungeons arrived down here. Should I spend $15+ tax on this? This is all assuming I can drink room into my fridge...

 

yes. buy it. buy 2 four packs. I loved that beer

 

It’s an awesome beer. Such a nice change of pace from all the hazy stuff out there. May be my favorite HA hoppy beer.

 

.. Opens another beer. I've got this MILF my friend gave me and I don't have to work tomorrow...

 

What’s really amazing about that list is just how many beers are hazy. Just 4-5 years ago, there might have been only a few but now they dominate the list. So much for hazy IPAs being a fad!

Anyway, it’s great to have a break from all the haziness with some quality (more) traditional IPAs. I still think Space IPA is Half-acre’s best IPA, but that’s just preference and opinion. I was pretty disappointed last time I went to the Lincoln Park taproom and it wasn’t available.

 

I had low hopes over this and wouldn't have purchased it, but my wife kept bringing home cans of Vallejo so I suggested she try HA's one off IPA because nothing drives me nuts more than seeing the same thing in our fridge. Everytime she cracked open a Dungeon the aromas of fresh fruit cocktail just completely drew me in. I was like "Damn, I want to drink one of your beers." Coming off of BHA, this was a good beer.

 

Half Acre opened a taproom in Lincoln Park?

 

Yes, and it wasn't available so he was disappointed.

 

Auto-correct at its finest, right there.

 

Damn. Why didnt I know about HA Lincoln Park. Would be much closer to home

 

it's hard enough to find HA in our local watering holes, I daresay a lincoln park expansion is way past due...

 

In case anyone is concerned, the new on-site fruited sours are both great. Their sour program keeps getting better and better.

 

Dungeons is a fantastic, super tropical fruit forward IPA. Wow. This very well may be my favorite HA hoppy beer too. I'm glad I did buy two 4 packs because it's now saving me a trip back to Binny's tomorrow to get another before it disappears.

 

Dungeons and Animal Law were among my faves last year...when I was a temporary Chicagoan. And Vicious Pet. But Space is still my fave. Damn I miss that place... cheers, all!

 

I'm flying some out to Denver to drink with my brother next week!

 

Nice - I think Half Acre is having a "thing" at Fallingrock taproom in Denver this Thursday... too. Just in case! Cheers, I'm sure he'll love it. (or else!).

 

heading Balmoral late first august's saturday night . Beer to go? serve 5 oz?