Other Half (2021)

Sadly, I would buy a 4-pack of an "hdhc red ale with strawberry juice and marshmallow" just to try.

 

My review of Every Trillion Ever.

Tastes like flat, sweet hop syrup.
The few of you here who know me here know that I would not come to this conclusion lightly. What is going on, OH?

 

Honest question: Does anyone know of any instances when breweries acknowledged a drop in quality and how they're addressing it?

 

Dank Squares Lot 1 - not good
Broc Phantasy - not good
Dream Gems - really good

I had two more last night and it was a 50/50 split; Gamma Vortex was pretty bad and Triple Juicy Diamonds was pretty good. So 3 out of 5 that were not good at all, but two that I enjoyed.

 

Carlsberg admitted a few years ago it's probably not the best beer in the world, beyond that... no?

What most comes to mind is that terrible galaxy crop (2018/19?) that seemed to hit a wide variety of breweries but no one I know of actually said "hey that was gross our bad" (Anthony at R+B called out that bad crop when he mentioned his was sourced elsewhere)

 

I saw this too and I said the same exact thing, feels like so much longer. Thanks 2020.

I ended up grabbing the Athlete, Daydreams & Fashion Shows & Broc Phantasy. I think I am going to have a beer tonight and I am curious what I will think. I have only had about 1 beer since Dec, so should be interesting.

In regards to some of what has been discussed over the weekend, I feel most of the FB group is just a bunch of people who are looking for the next thing to complain about. If they really think current OH is so bad why are they buying almost every release... I feel like too many people, and maybe they are people newer to craft beer, use untappd as a way to tell if they should like a beer or not and rather than honestly rating it, because it has a 4.5 doesn't mean you need to rate it that way if you think it was just ehh. I use it to track what I drink and what I like, but anything beyond that just gets messy now. Especially when you had people/bots rating stuff highly to boost trade values.

I really miss being able to try some stuff on tap before I pull the trigger on buying a full 4 pack, hoping we can do that again sooner than later.

 

Are you asking about bad batches of beer or just overall decrease in quality? There have been several cases of breweries acknowledging certain batches of beer were bad, but I can't think of any times where a brewery admitted that something fundamental changed and the beer as a whole is markedly different (hello HVB circa 2019!).

R+B had some oxidized cans that got out in 2018, and Anthony addressed it - https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/root-branch-brewing.558317/page-4#post-5963332

EQ had oxidation issues citing a problem with their can seamer, and addressed it in their Facebook group. They now have all these disclaimers about maintaining the cold chain.

Cypress Brewing put out a really bad batch of their flagship DIPA Insane in the Grain in 2018, and were letting people swap their cans for something different. I only remember this one because it happened to me personally.

 

I meant overall, sort of like your example with EQ.

Also, I think I heard Other Half a while back was giving refunds for some infected stouts. Not entirely sure though because I didn't buy it.

 

They posted some new beers up for delivery.

321 Days Since; Trunk Bait; Cost + 10^2; and HDHC Phantasm Small Citra Everything

 

Marlowe had some issues last year (also 12%) that caused some turmoil across platforms, which was later addressed by means of “new processes…new procedures”

 

Oof that batch was AWFUL

 

I agree with the above. The more they make, inevitably not everyone will love every beer, and that's something unimaginable to the "me from 2018" who waited in lines for the stuff after multiple trains would have called crazy. But I still think OH BK makes great core beers, though competition has caught up quite a bit. If you're local, I'm not sure you're doing better unless you like Finback's more green profile, but if you're having to really travel to get the stuff I get people being disappointed that not everything is a hit. Simply so many people have good options in their backyard.

I should note I never drain poured anything, as nothing was ever "bad" or oxidized. Did have DC version of ACE which was... fine. But not worth the $22 I paid in NJ. Make of that what you will.

 

The "Core" or what should be “reliable" beers are no longer reliably good most times or taste anything like they used to. I do agree peoples taste change over time, but come on. I think it’s a reasonable expectation when you buy a product for it to taste something like it used to

 

i'm so so happy we got some <8% abv beers comin at us

 

You guys definitely aren't getting an 8th anniversary shout out at this rate.

 

Always one of the first guys in line in normal times @chrisslomko You may recognize him by his freezer jacket, or from his FB profile. A huge OH supporter and gets beers into people's hands. ⁠
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Normally this time of year I would be plotting how far in advance I would need to drop my chair to be first in line for the big Saturday anniversary release - I'm spoiled like that, I always like parking right out front. Covid had other plans for us of course and has indefinitely delayed what is always a fun and eventful night of partying on the sidewalk with THE coolest people in craft beer. While I miss the camaraderie of line life, at least I can catch a few extra hours of sleep and won't need my freezer suit to survive the experience I just have to make sure I have facemask on, my clipboard in hand to keep my orders straight, and my trunk empty with the rear seats down ready to stack up with aaaaaaaaaall the cases!⁠
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Thanks @otherhalfnyc @otherhalfandrew@beerwithflavor for all the years of great beer and great memories, and for letting me be a tiny part of this anniversary celebration⁠
⁠--⁠
Trunk Bait IPA (7.2%) This year's Line @ Garnet. We miss those crazy all night block parties, this year it's been replaced by pulling up and popping the trunk, but we are optimistic the parties will come back soon. Hopped with heavy amounts of Citra with Bru-1 and Enigma along for the ride. $18 per 4 pack

 

@trimbackjohn can be seen in a caravan, with at least 7 recent friends headed to the North East Kingdom with a pit stop in BK, or coming back from Boston. He is always in the car and moves more beer than Juice.P.S. ⁠
⁠--⁠
A true inseparable combination, Big Blue @bigblue2.0 and I are synonymous with one another, and without one, it would not be possible for the other to flourish. Akin to the relationship of Bruce Wayne and his coveted Batmobile, me and my ‘other half’, ‘Blue traverse towns, cities, states, coasts together to provide the camaraderie of craft unlike any other. In a time where experiences are less accessible, we provide our trusted circle with the craft they crave. A true one stop shop, we provide a safe, central location for perishables, pantry staples, and life essentials. Be it bottled barleywine, hazy hops, glassware in its glory, or cold brewed coffee and farm fresh eggs, we have the cure to your cravings.⁠
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It is a true pleasure to be included into #fanfam as it honors the community and consistency with which we frequent our chosen stomping ground. The countless miles logged, early morning (or overnight) naps, pre-expansion Mickey D’s bathroom breaks and wristbands has brought us to where we are now. Whether it was the invention of All Together, or the participation in other philanthropic ventures, Other Half once again provides us a canvas to commune with familiar faces, or foster relationships with new ones. In a time wrought with despair, Other Half is a backbone and haven we have come to rely on and cherish.⁠
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With that, we would like to introduce to you Cost +10^2, Imperial IPA (8.4%). This mule is even more loaded down this year with another 2 lbs/bbl more of Galaxy, Citra Incognito, Citra Cryo, Idaho 7, Idaho 7 Cryo, Cashmere, Cashmere Cryo and Loral Cryo. $18.19 per 4 pack + 10% ($20 total).⁠

 

As we've been reminded yet again, there's no shortage of people who do that here, too. But insofar as I can tell, they all seem to be one of the following:

1. Cantankerous old farts.
2. Neophytes endlessly chasing after the latest Bright Shiny Object.
3. People who just like to complain, and particularly online, where complaining is free of cost.
4. People who actually possess an exceptional palate/memory or who truly know how to be evenhanded.

Those in the last group are the only ones really worthy of our attention, but they are also, I suspect, the smallest contingent by far.

Drink what you like. Support those people/companies you love—the ones who are doing it right (despite any debatable setback or growing pain) and with whom you feel a personal history or special allegiance. Ignore all the pointless distractions. That's the whole of the sermon.

 

Well said!