IPA Freshness Hype

I can provide my own experience with Bell's Oracle - I had one that had 12 months on it - there was a syrupy sweetness very much like butterscotch, with the hops tasting more like a bitter citrus pith in the back, and finished with a pretty hot and strong liquer like sweet alcohol presence. I had another at 6 months, still had some pith, but still an overall muted sweetness almost like a dull citrus syrup was present, along with a warm alcohol finish. I also had one that was about 2 weeks old directly from the brewery - the citrus and pine were bright, clean and distinct - with more of a 'natural' sweetness that seemed so balanced, and accentuated the hops - and the alcohol was perfectly hidden. I personally find that the increase in age correlates to a similar 'drop' in hop 'brightness', and an increase in a dull syrupy sweetness and alcohol heat.

 

Could it be that some IPAs "peak" at different times than other IPAs like it is with many other beer styles?

 

I found a 16oz can of Torpedo in my store's beer cooler, and I hadn't seen the cans in probably 6 months. I don't know if I was in some weird mindset or something, but it was the most delicious Torpedo I have ever had.

 

i really don't think it's just 'hype', fresh beer in general (not just ipa's) is great..and if you have a chance to get it then why not? but it's pretty ridiculous when people get bent out of shape about it...no one is twisting your arm to buy it. besides by the time something hits the store yeah its gonna be a while. not like the bottles are coming in overnight from the brewery straight to the store..what do you expect?

 

No. But I've had Lagunitas Sucks fresh and around 4 months old and believe me, I could detect a huge difference. Fresh was stunningly good, aged was... eh, OK.

Are you just talking about bitterness? There's a lot more to hoppiness than bitterness. Hops fade just like bread goes stale, or wine turns to vinegar, or any number of other rough comparisons I could make. The bitterness stays, but everything else that the hops add declines.

See above.

While I think the "drink Pliny straight from the tank" mentality is a bit silly, hop fade is real. The bitterness probably sticks around, but all that great fresh piney and citrusy aroma and flavor definitely fades over time. (Of course all of this depends on what varieties of hops are used, as well as a number of other variables.) I have to wonder if you actually understand why people enjoy fresh hoppy beers. It's not (just) about IBUs and bitterness. In fact, for many of us, that's a very small part of the equation.

 

With all due respects, please don't tinker with Pandora's box, kay?

 

You sir are wrong.

 

Let's face it, hop flavor changes over time- in intensity, but also in character. I personally don't find these changes always negative. I remember the first time I had Great Lakes Nosferatu, a week after bottling. The hop flavor was so pungent and "sharp" that I didn't really enjoy it too much; some folks might call it grassy. About two months later I picked up some more. The hop flavor was juicier and "rounder," and I thought it was very, very good. I also recall having a Smuttynose Finestkind right around its best-by date and its hop flavor had taken on a pithy, bitter-citrus flavor that I liked it quite a bit.

So I'm personally willing to risk buying some hoppy beers a little bit older because I know that even if the hop flavor isn't as intense as it was, it doesn't necessarily mean that the quality of flavor will be less appealing to me. Sure, it doesn't always turn out as hoped and you'll get some muted, earthy hop flavor, but you learn that certain beers hold up okay, and others don't.

 

Yes. I believe you are.

P.S. I'm reporting you to Vinnie, I have his email address. You are extremely close to losing your privileges.

 

Ugh... is it possible to install a filter in the forums that rejects any post containing the word "hype"? I'm tired of all the hype surrounding how hyped up every new hype driven beer fad is. They hype horse is dead, it died of being over-hyped... and blunt trauma.

 

I try not to get caught up in any hype, but i do notice a lot of ipa's/apa's that get a little old develop a slightly unpleasant malty flavor. It's like an off-biscuity stale flavor that I do not care for. Anyone else get that? Anyhow even though I don't consider myself trendy, I have to admit I wont buy ipa's more than maybe 3 months old now.

 

I trust you see the irony in your post.

 

Damn, I was hoping nobody would catch that right off the cuff...

 

Yep. Smell any dry-hopped beer at 3 weeks and 3 months. It's a pretty easy test. I suppose you're accusing Stone of just trying to profit from hype? Go for it...

 

wait........I see what you did there................