Hoptimum Batch variation

All I can say is that I am drinking a Hoptimum as we speak, and, as Agent 86 (Maxwell Smart, if you back that far) used to say, "and loving it!"

 

The way you pour it can make a big difference.

 

Nonsense. The pour can affect some things like carbonation and sediment in an unfiltered beer but it doesn't change anything significant about the underlying character of the beer.

 

You're definitely wrong about that.

 

Curious to see where this goes. Would like to hear more.

 

the hoptimum I had recently was boozy and especially malty compared to what I remember it being. I know that it was fresh, and I'm not sure why it came across that way

 

This is pure snake oil. TommyLiam nailed it.

 

I blame the old Guinness "slow pour" bartender gimmick.

 

if you pour too fast, it releases all the flavor crystals, creating a flavo-head. the flavo-head then dissipates as fast as a normal head ("normo-head"), but it annihilates the flavor crystals along with it.

as everyone knows, if you avoid the unwelcome flavo-head, your beer will be a hop monster, tasting like a very good IIPA/DIPA. if the pour gets out of hand, the flavo-head (and the absence of the aroma-preserving normo-head) will cause the beer to taste "hot" or "boozy."

 

oh right of course! Flavor Crystals!
how could I forget?

 

They were bottled 50 days apart, of course they are Different!

 

Ah, but see, the OP noted that the older batch tasted more DIPA-ish than the fresher batch, which was apparently maltier (to the OP's tastes). This is not something I would expect to happen to Hoptimum as it gets 50 days older.

 

OP, I don't know what to tell you. Sierra Nevada is not exactly known for significant batch variation. I was just today, however, thinking to myself that Hoptimum this year is coming off (so far, to me) as sweeter, and not necessarily boozier but missing a lot of the dank oiliness that I recall, which last year I felt masked a lot of the booze.

So, there's that. I haven't had any Hoptimum from any other batches, as this is the only 4-pack I've picked up.

 

That sums up my experience of this year's exactly. Thanks very much.

 

That made me chuckle. I am too. I've never heard of a pour significantly or even noticeably effecting a beer's taste/flavor profile.

 

It's bullshit-- a holistic medicine technique of beer if you will.

 

Goodness. It seems a lot of people are pouring beer incorrectly.

 

I've noticed no difference in the batches but temp, pour and glassware make a huge difference.