Drain pour tales...

It is always said that Craft beer is quality beer, and BMC is not.

300 posts in a drain pour thread.

My reason for this is that if you are drain pouring a Craft beer it may be due to poor quality.

 

Aw, I loved Lion stout. I think it's probably better amidst tasting a variety of stouts, though. I had it at a stout-only tasting and thought it was very pleasantly unique, much earthier and less saccharine than many of the others, and with a touch of licorice.

 

Drain pours are merely a violent disagreement between the beer and the individual's palette. I know people who would drain pour a Duchesse. Don't put too much into it.

 

I was given a sample of this last night and was very, very glad I didn't just take the chance and order a full glass sight unseen. Cough syrup and liquid band-aids are right on, might I add that I found it exhibited notes of gross old lady perfume, as well?

 

One definition of quality is that the product meets customer expectations. I know many of the beers on here were ones that people were not familiar with or did/do not care for the style.

Duchesse is not one of my favorite, as I taste the artificial sweeteners they use. Give me a Rodenbach Grand Cru over a Duchess. The Rodenbach meets my expectation of what a Flanders Red should be, the Duchesse not so much.

 

I really think a lot of peoples' gripes in this thread could be solved by breweries bottling their bolder and strangers beers in 12 oz portions instead of 22 oz, and include a disclaimer that you still ought to split the 12 oz with someone anyway. I feel exactly that way about pretty much all of the Southern Tier imperial series. I thought both of the beers you mentioned were pretty pleasant, but I was happy with 3 oz of each and that's about it.

 

Dogfish Head Immort Ale. It was a few years ago but I can still remember the oak, the smokiness, the vanilla, and the intense, intense, hot, hot heat from the alcohol... Makes me shudder just thinking about it. Only of my only drain pours, probably should have let it age a bit. Lesson learned.

 

I really hate to say this, but I must: Dark Horse Brewing Company's Kmita Kolsh. I think half of it disembarked down the drain, and actually very probably more . It was astonishingly dark, and at least to me, a bit of a puzzler!

Going down the drain isn't "an often" around here.

 

Alpine Chez Monieux. Blue cheese in a bottle. At a tasting with 10 to 12 people almost the entire bottle was left at the end of the day. (The taste was milder blue cheese, but cheesy none the less.)

 

I haven't seen any Indian Wells beers in SoCal in months. Not a bad thing.

 

Victory wild devil was a drain pour. Though this was years ago when i was just getting into craft beers seriously, i will revisit this beer next chance i get.

Lilja's Hop Nest Monster - Terrible ipa that showed up at local bottleshop. Odd hoppy flavor mixed with sour malts, Bout 2 drinks and it ended up down the drain.

 

Hi Ryan, we're sorry to hear about these experiences. Although there were a few instances this past summer of Summer Solstice kegs being returned with off-flavors, to our knowledge there have been no issues with our Winter Solstice cooperage this season. We take our QA/QC very seriously and work diligently to address issues that come up in the trade. Would you be willing to share specific information regarding these Winter kegs (ie account name, when purchased, contact info, etc)? We love the Philadelphia craft beer scene and would truly appreciate your help in this matter.
Many thanks and Bahl Hornin,

Steve Miller (aka Steinber Kimmie)

 

I never tried the others but Stone Smoked porter is a pretty decent beer. It has to be cold tho.

 

Hi Brian,
Just wanted to check-in to get more info about your recent Winter Solstice experience. Was this your first time tasting it? Was it from a bottle, can, or draft? Obviously tastes are subjective and not everyone will like every beer, but if you're willing, we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks,

Steve Miller (aka Steinber Kimmie)

 

Dogfish Head's pumpkin beer, whatever it's called, is the only beer I've ever drainpoured. It was so nasty after I poured it out I had to rinse my mouth.

 

I am not Brian, but I had a can of Winter Solstice a few weeks ago and it definitely had something weird going on. You can read my review here if you like:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/193/2081/?ba=UCLABrewN84

 

Honestly i wasn't sure if it was the flavor profile that was chosen or a bad beer. it has a strong nutmeg or cinnamon taste mixed with vinegar. i just couldnt finish it. I still love Anderson valley beer a lot .

 

I want to say you have bad taste, but I think I'm not supposed to.

 

Lol, damn man I think you're missing the whole idea behind Dogfish Head.

 

I'm not. I remember when they were an amazing brewery and remember how much light they shed on the world of craft when I was younger going down the shore with my family. They have no rhyme or reason behind their methods, anymore. They've all but ruined their name. Everything is some hippy test, now. It's ridiculous.