Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

I tried the Between the Waves and hated it too.

This was my first offering from them and I won't be grabbing another.

 

I have to somewhat agree here. I don't know about hating BtW, but I'm not enjoying this batch nearly as much as the release earlier this year. That first batch was in my top 5 favorite Chicago NEIPAs list this year. Unfortunately, weird aroma and flavor in this one.

 

Could it be we are getting tired of haze?

 

100% fatigue is starting to set in

 

After looking at all of my BA stouts that have been purchased over the last few weeks, I thought to myself, "I'm good on IPAs for a bit, I won't be in the mood anyway".

That didn't last long. I cracked a Cosmic Juice Box can last night and immediately wanted to go back for multiple crowlers.

 

I agree we are in a slump. There was a ton of growth to get us to this point but then it seemed like a lot of the breweries have taken a step backwards. Corridor isn't what it used to be without Roger. Marz used to be extremely consistent but I haven't been into the last few releases from them. Even things I liked last year were misses for me this time. Forbidden Root seems to be in a transitional period, not releasing as many cans. Transient sucks now. Toppling Goliath is great when fresh but isn't the force we expected them to be. Saint Errant is hit or miss. Pipeworks is great when they do it but they aren't brewing the style consistently.

 

Juicebox is galaxy for days. I like how the everyone is making their galaxy beers as funky as possible these days.

 

Christ I need to edit my posts better

 

Do you think brewers are getting worse, or that the market is saturated? Maybe a shifting palette or an overload of haze has beers standing out less than they used to?

Speaking for myself, I’ve found a few brands that are now go to and fit what I like. I don’t see myself buying every new ipa from other breweries. (Exception half acre)

 

Personally, I wouldn't buy a single thing from TG if I lived in your market or had access to half the brews you all do. Even in Central Iowa TG brews are beginning to just collect dust.

 

They're collecting dust here.

 

I don’t think it is a slump as much as it is a period of stagnation. We were heading towards that when the NEIPA brought us out of it two years ago. Before that the specialty hops of galaxy, mosaic and citra saved us with their unique fruity flavors. For new innovation there either needs to be a new idea for style, technique or ingredient like hops/malts/yeasts to open the door for more exploration. Everyone simply adding vanilla or juice to existing beers isn’t cutting it nor is making the 100th hop combination of the same base beer...,

 

I think this is an excellent topic to discuss at the next Forbidden Root share!

 

i had a probably 8 week old can of juice is loose last week, it was fucking awful.

heres to hoping they made a big turnaround.

 

I’ll slot that into the agenda

1. introductions / is @HouseofWortship here?
2. Mexican stout blind tasting
3. Debate about cinnamon
4. @KrajDoesBeer last name pronunciation debate
5. NEIPA slump debate
6. Oration: Time cop and the problem with time travelers
7. Sexy Santa contest
8. Ceremonial bestowing of Cuvee

 

You forgot a super cereal agenda item:

9. One Man Wrecking Machine - how Mikerphone is destroying craft beer as we know it.

Maybe that's more of a symposium topic that requires a full night of discussion and round table?

 

Where do we talk about how @KrajDoesBeer hates everything I bring?