Back to the GO TO's.....

I have a similar pattern. I've cut way back on 'ticking' in favor of my favorites. If it's more money than I'd be willing to spend on a second, I typically don't bother with the first these days.

 

Gave up years ago. Every now and again I will try some new locals or purchase a beer that's getting a lot of recognition on here to see what all the fuss is about. Some have been truly terrible, some acceptable, but most, ultimately, forgettable. Can't remember (m)any at all that have truly impressed me. Maybe Rayon Vert...but it's not new, and to be honest, I haven't purchased it again.

 

Really? I still try new beers all the time. However, I can't say too many are added to the regular rotation or are repeat purchases.

 

I've tried 107 new beers in the past six weeks according to Untappd. Mightttt have a ticking problem. Or a bottle-share problem. Probably both.

 

I still enjoy as a hobby trying and reviewing new brews on BA, but I totally understand what you are saying. So after all your trials....what are the GO TO's you refer to?

 

I do still try beers...probably more than I like to admit, considering how often I get burned. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me 100s of times, shame on me. Apparently I'm a complete idiot...but I am slowly beginning to wise up.

 

Good for you bro!

Thanks for sharing!

 

You the man!

 

Seems like NJ has started to settle down with new enticing releases and most of my purchases have been old faithfuls lately. Took home some Sculpin, Chillwave (a new one to NJ but already a go to for me), Ten Fidy, and some Rodenbach Grand Cru tonight.

 

I completely understand. I would say about half of my purchases are imports (whatever is the freshest) and a few US beers (or breweries) I know I can trust.

For example, I enjoyed Troegs Cultivator this year. It's both a new beer, and Troegs is a brewery that has a great track record with me personally.

 

Similarly- I do try at least 1 new beer a week along with my usuals, and a surprisingly high percentage of them are actually things that I would buy again (and sometimes do). But most of those are simply along the lines of what you mentioned with Cultivator- new beers by trusted breweries. Troegs, Victory, Southern Tier, new arrival (for me) Jack's Abby, Stone, SN, etc- there seems to be a steady stream of things to check out that won't disappoint.

 

They're in Jersey now? I'm curious what you think of them. Tried any of their beers yet?

 

Same goes for me. I will (and do) try (and drink) new beers from trusted breweries. I certainly liked the one Troegs beer I have thusfar had a chance to try: Troegenator -- a passable version of an authentic German Doppelbock.

 

I'm right near the NY border, so I get the best of both worlds.

Off the top of my head-
The IPLs are just as advertized (Mass Rising, Kiwi Rising, maybe one or two others)- hoppy and dry with great aroma and balance.

Smoke and Dagger- probably my fave, because it has been the one I get over again.

Smoked Marzen- very good, very smoky, but ultimately is the same price as Schlenkerla and can't compete at that level.

There are a few more at the store that I will get to, but am sure I will enjoy.

 

That one was actually a re-try for me, and it is definitely a nice beer right now. It was mentioned by other BAs that they tweaked it a bit for the better, and I was happy to find out that was true. Previously I thought there was too much caramel sweetness, but good for Troegs for not standing pat as well as knowing just how to tweak it.

 

I just tried it this year, so I assume it was post-tweak. One of the most refreshing things about that beer was the noticeable lack of caramel sweetness that you typically find in U.S. versions of the style. And good on Troegs for working to get it "right."

 

I try new beers regularly and I enjoy them most of the time.

A partial list of some I have tried recently (I have enjoyed drinking all of the below beers):

Troegs: Cultivator (and Troegenator is tasty!)

Victory: Dirtwolf, Hop Ranch

Stoudts: Maibock, Groundhog Day Altbier

Jack’s Abby: Smoke & Dagger, Jabby Brau, Hoponius Union

Ithaca: Box of Belgian (three different Belgian inspired beers)

Sixpoint: Sweet Action (this beer was not brewed at Lion Brewery)

Otter Creek: Citra Mantra, Fresh Slice

Yuengling: Hefeweizen (Summer Wheat)

Andechs: Weissbier Helles



I am sure that I have forgotten quite a few but the above list is representative.

Cheers!

Edit: I just gotta give a shout out to Sly Fox Valor; a very, very tasty Belgian Pale Ale!