Alpine Nelson. Here we go again?

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by OTB, Jul 26, 2019.

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  1. OTB

    OTB Pooh-Bah (1,803) Sep 2, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Yea, it's a good west coast IPA. However, all of us old timers that drank boat-loads of this stuff way back when will always have a bit of that " what if " whenever they release a new batch of this. Truth be told until Shawn brews a small batch at the OG brewery which is highly unlikely this is what we get.

    Cheers,
     
    #41 OTB, Jul 28, 2019
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  2. OTB

    OTB Pooh-Bah (1,803) Sep 2, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    One of the more noticeable flavor profiles of the OG was a beautiful soft sweet tangerine pop mid-palate that melded with the more traditional Nelson Sauvin traits like the vineous qualities you point out. I think most folks also don't realize that Pat and Shawn used a lot of Southern Passion hops in the OG recipe that played very well with the Nelson hops and the Rye malts. I just think it's almost impossible to replicate such a delicate recipe such as Nelson on a larger scale system like they use now. I guarantee you though, brew a small batch at the tiny OG facility and you have the same beloved beer again. I also agree with you that these new batches are really good beer, it just can't get out from under such a huge shadow of it's former glory. I think if Beachwood or MT brewed this as a uniquely new school west coast unfiltered IPA it would be a completely different conversation we're having right now.

    Cheers,
     
    #42 OTB, Jul 28, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2019
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  3. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Agreed, while the named emphasis is on Nelson, contribution of the Southern Passion is not to be overlooked.
     
    #43 jakecattleco, Jul 28, 2019
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  4. Brent212

    Brent212 Pundit (914) Jan 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    whoops, by "the good ones are still good, but different", I meant good Nelson beers in general, like Nelson Baby, DDH Blam Blam, etc. Not the better batches of GF/Alpine Nelson. Those are fine too, but I wouldn't go out if my way for them like Nelson Baby.

    It's just that none of them have the flavor I used to associate with the Nelson hop, like most/all Nelson IPAs used to have. Even ones that I didn't love at least had that distinctive flavor.
     
    #44 Brent212, Jul 28, 2019
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  5. OTB

    OTB Pooh-Bah (1,803) Sep 2, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    I think MT's Spaceways is a wonderful showcase for Nelson, it's coming back very soon. Though a little more difficult to get I always find a way to get my hands on Monkish's Broadcasting Live and Liquid Flows, both 100% Nelson Sauvin hopped and absolutely mind blowing, but I am a hopeless Nelson ***** so I have that to deal with :wink:

    Cheers,
     
    #45 OTB, Jul 28, 2019
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  6. Doma

    Doma Initiate (0) May 19, 2019 California

    Guys, I almost cry when I realize the OG Nelson will never be replicated, but that's the reality of the Alpine these days.
     
    #46 Doma, Jul 28, 2019
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  7. Space_Cowboy85

    Space_Cowboy85 Crusader (444) Dec 24, 2018 California
    Trader

    I almost cry when I see this topic discussed yet again. Move on!
     
    #47 Space_Cowboy85, Jul 28, 2019
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  8. Brent212

    Brent212 Pundit (914) Jan 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    no u
     
    #48 Brent212, Jul 28, 2019
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  9. dcgunman

    dcgunman Pooh-Bah (2,682) Jul 1, 2009 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Nice! You made the drive?
     
    #49 dcgunman, Jul 28, 2019
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  10. annakarina

    annakarina Savant (1,003) Jul 29, 2016 California

    I actually disagree with this. OG Nelson is gone for good, I don't think brewing it in the original facility will bring it back.
     
    #50 annakarina, Jul 28, 2019
  11. OTB

    OTB Pooh-Bah (1,803) Sep 2, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    I had errands to run ...................:astonished: should've dropped by your pad on my way back !

    Cheers,
     
    #51 OTB, Jul 28, 2019
  12. OTB

    OTB Pooh-Bah (1,803) Sep 2, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Your free to move on anytime man, I mean its a discussion thread right ?

    Cheers,
     
    #52 OTB, Jul 28, 2019
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  13. OTB

    OTB Pooh-Bah (1,803) Sep 2, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Why ? tell us why using the same exact ingredients on their same small production system that they used for years to brew the OG wouldn't produce the same results.

    Cheers,
     
    #53 OTB, Jul 28, 2019
  14. Brent212

    Brent212 Pundit (914) Jan 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    I was kind of getting at the same point. Seems to me that nelson hops don't produce the same flavor they used to.

    But then I remember the Double Mount Nelson I had about a year ago that *did* have the classic nelson hop flavor, and I don't know what to think. Maybe Cellarmaker just had some old hops?
     
    #54 Brent212, Jul 28, 2019
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  15. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's been awhile, but thanks for reminding me of the deliciousness of Blam Blam!
     
    #55 jakecattleco, Jul 28, 2019
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  16. pinballplayer

    pinballplayer Maven (1,487) Jul 2, 2014 California
    Trader

    Weren't Nelson hops a fairly small crop back when OG was being made then they planted way more to meet demand?

    Perhaps the newer crops taste different...
     
    #56 pinballplayer, Jul 28, 2019
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  17. OTB

    OTB Pooh-Bah (1,803) Sep 2, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Just like grapes there are distinct differences in hop vintages as well. There was a couple years that we couldn't get quality Nelson Sauvin hops statewide for a myriad of reasons, the most obvious was the elimination of one of the most dynamic hop farms in NZ. The current crop or vintage of Southern Hemi hops, most noticeably Nelson and Galaxy has been extraordinary, you can taste it and those who know how to manipulate these hops have made stunning beers with them.

    Cheers,
     
    #57 OTB, Jul 28, 2019
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  18. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Agreed, Nelson Baby!, Wholesome Jams and Westeez were outstanding for my palate and preferences. This Nelson batch mildly 'scratches the itch', though said others have squashed it thoroughly. YMMV
     
    #58 jakecattleco, Jul 28, 2019
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  19. OTB

    OTB Pooh-Bah (1,803) Sep 2, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Did you like Space Ways ?

    Cheers,
     
    #59 OTB, Jul 28, 2019
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  20. OTB

    OTB Pooh-Bah (1,803) Sep 2, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Back when ABC started brewing Nelson there was really not another brewery that focused so heavily on that varietal so they had free reign on the market for quite a while, then it became a must have hop and demand became greater than the supply.

    Cheers,
     
    #60 OTB, Jul 28, 2019
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