Hazed and Confused

I've even come across labels that don't list any style for the beer, just the name - or sometimes something quite vague like "ale" or "hoppy ale". But you wouldn't want to interfere with that beautiful (in my mind usually shitty) artwork by adding any extra text, would you?

BTW, I always need my reading glasses too!

 

Yeah, that goes without saying . I just meant when I'm specifically in the mood for an IPA, which is the great bulk of what these beers are anyway.

 

Yeah, but do you use a higher prescription number just for beer labels - your BLRG's (Beer Label Reading Glasses).

(Sometimes I have to put them OVER my regular readers. People laugh but, dammit, it works and is better than getting home to find "LACTOSE" in fine print).

I hope (but doubt) that some of the "art" looks better as a 2X or 3X flat original copy in full color on glossy paper than it does in shrink-wrap plastic wrapped around a 2.5" diameter aluminum beer can.

 

Oh yeah I know from WBAYDN and NBS threads. I do find the can labels ridiculous as has been noted above, and have been walking past all the IPA's like I do the macro beers now more and more...for some reason.

 

I also carry a magnifying glass!

 

One of those with the built-in flashlight would be ideal.

Some brewer should make them as promo items (maybe w/cap lifter on the other end)!

 

I look for things I haven't seen in styles that that I feel like drinking at the moment. I will try new breweries and if I like their beer, I will try more. Right now I'm taking a break from hazy milkshake IPAs loaded with items from the produce aisle.

 

@jesskidden - @NeroFiddled -- maybe just geek out and use your cell phone to scan the bar tag? Wonderful use for the new BA app!

 

This is exactly my feeling as well. It's funny how nondescript labels like Maine Beer Co. stand out so much now the sea of Technicolor

 

Best summation of the NEIPA situation

 

Larry, I've been saying this for at least two years now. I think with the larger craft breweries distribution growing , a lot of Maine brewers will find that the consumer will buy better beer at better prices. I don't even look at new beers. I buy very few $4 beers and when I do, it's from well established brewers. Not everyone can brew good beer. They need to realize that can art and trendy names do not mean that they command top dollar. Burlington Beer Company just started distribution in Maine. At $15 a four pack, they are $2-3 cheaper than most Maine brewers in distribution and so much better. The sub par $16+ four pack trend needs to stop, unless you are putting out a $16 product. Many are not.

 

I also find myself going to breweries that I know and respect. Additionally, I do use untapped bar code scanning and look for beers nearing or exceeding 4.0.

I travel a ton for work, around 3 weeks a month, all over the country. When I visit a city, I scan the local brews, because I want to try the small brewers that aren't distributed to Wisconsin.

 

That's what BA is for!
That's why I joined.
Its helped a lot, in having fewer misses.
It's also hurt, as I have many more hits, so drink more. (& spend more. )

 

I almost automatically walk past the busy-label beer. I don't want to spend 1-2 minutes/beer deciphering wtf exactly that it is. Pipeworks & Collective Arts, I'm lookin at YOU! Wonderful beer for the most part, but ...ugh!

Barrier would be a good example of what to do , if you want to do an artful label. It's got all that , but I can still tell what it is at a glance.

Equilibrium , & Industrial Arts manage to have inviting labels , but still with an at-a-glance experience. Is that so hard?

 

The shelves are especially hyperactive right now. Electron-pace of turnover on some shelves. All I can imagine is the 12 Percent LLC contract breweries surging shelfspace. And those flashy labels (while some are and aren’t well-designed) are inevitably deterring me to commit to a new 6 or 4pk.

The saturation brings me to buy more singles. Preferably from shops who break them down by bottle/can without markup. I usually drive long out of my way to those places for stuff I may want to try new.

Otherwise. Just stay local, or go with what ya know.

 

This. I try to find beers I haven't had before and see what ones are the freshest. If none, I pick up beers I've had before that I know I'll enjoy.

I have no problem shelling out $10-12 for a 4 or 6 pack that has good ratings on both BA and Untappd.

 

Where the hell can you get a $10 4/6 packs now a days?!

Kidding... a little... but it seems everything is so expensive now. I got 6 singles (mixed 6-pack of IPA’s) and a local 6-pack and it was like $48. $4/beer I guess isn’t bad.... for the ball park. I always compare beer prices to what they are at “the ballpark” or Toyota Center here in Houston. It makes me feel better I guess

 

I like to stop into the better bottle shops if I'm going to try some new to me brewery. At least I can trust that there has been some grading done before it hit the shelves. And if it turns out to be a gem I can likely find it a bit cheaper at a big retailer.

Otherwise it's experimentation if I'm away from home and the trusted brands when I am home

 

I’m another one that’ll be in the isle for 20 minutes checking reviews. If I see something from a brewery I’ve been wanting to try I might gravitate towards that.

 

Im anal about them, I check everything I buy. 6 week rule at the maximum.Your right , it does eliminate a very large field of them. I m finding that a lot of IPAs have been sitting on the shelf week after week in the stores especially the grocery, then they will throw more out there of the same and mix it in with old dates.