How has discussion on BA changed over the years?

Yeah that could be, I'm not familiar with your more local beer scene, but I will say that having had examples from Tree House, trillium, other half, and Bissell brothers, California brewers reputed for their hazies (Monkish, fieldwork, cellar maker) make a very comparable product.

 

I've been told that a father's primary impact on his daughters is to model acceptable behavior of future paramours, so do your daughter's future partners a solid by ditching her to try some good beer!

In all seriousness, that's really cool and as the father of two pre elementary school daughters it's hard for me to fathom this trip you're going on. Enjoy it.

And even more seriously (beeriously?), as someone who withheld judgement of my preferences around NEIPA/ hazy until it's tried the stalwarts I'd recommend you just seek out styles you like from brewers you won't have access to at home. Just based on postings on here I suspect you and I have similar palates (especially around hops) and I can promise you that these hyped easy coast hazy producers aren't making something you can't imagine.

If it's a style you like, the stuff from the or trillium or other half might align with your personal tastes more than anything out west. But if you've tried it at home and don't really enjoy the style then just spend your beer budget (monetary and mental) on styles you like. That way you can identify breweries you want to revisit so you can subtly nudge your daughter towards schools near them. Like a good dad

 

Something about trying some of the basic treehouse offerings helped me accept that I didn't care for the style

 

I joined mostly for the homebrewing discussions, and the homebrewers were always respectful of each other, and there were very few conflicts.
On many of the beer discussion forums it was a different place, there were more cliques, maybe people who knew each other outside of BA. Trying to negotiate in threads overwhelmed by these groups was difficult for an outsider. There were more angry people back then, especially if you didn't automatically agree with their opinion. At one point I was extremely active on BA, but probably about 10 years ago I got tired of being insulted because I refused to follow the crowd in my worship of barrel aged stouts or whatever style dominated the top 20 at that time. I traveled a lot for work and play back then and normally bought random beers from the area I was in and this one poster took offence at me not asking fellow BA's for advice. He asked me if I thought my tastes were more refined than the collective wisdom of BA (in a thread about using BA to choose beers). I backed away from BA at that point and am still only occasionally active here.
Another aspect that has changed for the better was that in the old days even mentioning any other alcoholic beverage(cider, mead, wine, liquor) brought down the wrath of the BA gods and would get your post deleted immediately. Health issues made it impossible for me to drink beer for 4 years so there was little reason to hang out here. I enjoy being able to discuss my other alcoholic loves.

 

Outside of debates on “political” topics (sexism, racism, transphobia, worker rights, climate change, etc.), which have a real impact on people’s lives and thus generate some well-earned heat, I’ve always viewed the debates over beer preferences, glassware preferences, etc., as a little tongue-in-cheek. I find it fun when people take hard lines in those areas, because the issues being debated are not that serious. Ie, “anyone who likes pumpkin beers is a sociopath,” “juicy NEIPAs, fruited kettle sours and candy-bar stouts should be reserved for children,” “don’t call that glass a tulip, it’s a snulip,” whatever. Sounds like some folks are turned off by that?

 

Exactly. Stick with your Pumpkin Spice Lattes and leave us God-fearing beer drinkers in peace.

 

I miss Glass of the Day…that was a very fun summer…I’ve only been here a few years, and I’ve always felt welcomed, and I’m grateful. Cheers brothers and sisters of the Now!

 

Amen,, brother! Especially that cranky boomers stereotype part. (Although I'm still waiting for someone to disagree with me that the beer name that best describes me is Arrogant Bastard. Or Curmudgeon. Or Norm Is A Son Of A Bitch. )

 

Nobody talks about Storm King anymore.