How do really sought after beers compare?

Personally, I think you just have to approach the hard-to-find stuff as a bonus. If you get one, you get one, and you'll probably enjoy it a helluva lot, in the same way you might enjoy a really nice bottle of wine you'd never otherwise get to try. But I don't think you'll drink every successive beer thinking, "Gosh, I wish this was the other one." In the last month+, I've had Parabola, Proprietor's, BCBS Vanilla, etc., and though I some of them were exquisite, they're certainly not worth losing sleep over. Again, if you get some, you get some, but there are plenty of delicious brews out there that are far more attainable.

 

No. Yes (and much cheaper per oz but fis would be a better comparison but even then the answer is still yes). Dunno.

 

I think it all depends. I just had Heady for the first time today and was blown away and honestly it would have to be my favorite IPA/IIPA. I had Pliny a month or so ago and it didn't seem that special to me. Some people can get caught up chasing these great beers and lose sight of just how good some beers near them are. I think Dirtwolf is every bit as good as any IIPA out there, same goes for Sculpin. I'd say just appreciate what you can get and eventually you'll get to try some of the more saught after ones. The best beer is usually the one in your hand.

 

I dunno really . . .
There is always going to be someone who says "this is over rated and not worth the hype."
On the other hand there will inevitably be another who says "why doesn't this beer get more love" ?
I've been a member of both camps. I picked up some KBS this year for the first time and thought that it was good but . . . Over rated.
Same with Hop Juju and again same with Hopslam.
But there are also some that just blow me away and imo are much, much better than the respect they get.

 

People should learn to trust their own tongue and not worry about what others think.

 

As a novelty with disposable income, possibly. As an assured satisfying beer experience, rarely

 

Says the guy who lives in beer heaven^^

he's from Oregon if that doesn't show up in the quote.

 

Westmalle 10

 

my brother in law drank a bottle of Chocolate Rain in about an hour and a half last month. craziness.

 

97% of the time there is better stuff on the shelf than the stuff you are actively hunting down. People who cant discern quality based on past experience are missing out most of the time. When "new" is more important than "desired" you've lost the plot.

 

There are some really good, accessible offerings that are comparable to the whales. But there are also some whale that don't have anything comparable. They are worth seeking out if you feel that they are. Just don't overlook the good stuff that you can get easily.

 

They're hit or miss just like any other. I think Heady and Pliny the Elder are worth every minute spent getting your hands on them. I wouldn't waste the effort for Double Sunshine or Pliny the Younger. I know other people have precisely the opposite view.

I do want to point out that only barrel-aged speedway is hard to come by. Regular speedway sits on shelves and is one of my all-time favorites (stands above a lot of rarer stuff I've had). I've thought before of trying to parallel the "white whale list" with a "marlin list" of incredible shelf beers. The idea being that if you haven't finished the marlin list, don't bother whaling. It'd be tricky to get a consensus though, and would probably just look like the beers of fame.

I guess what I'm saying is, drink these first: http://www.beeradvocate.com/lists/fame/. Especially Speedway.

 

I don't know dude I finally got a bottle of Parabola tonight and I'm so happy about it. Even if taste-wise it doesn't compare to some, I honestly believe the physical chase of it is what I'm really after, and I think alot of other members on this site would agree; the chase of the beer and actually getting it is such a thrill. Because once those 22oz are gone they are gone, but I can always say I've had it... and Parabola was delicious

 

When you're forced to get something rated at 98 because you can't get the one rated 100, the nits you're picking are almost microscopic. Fuzzy Baby Ducks gets a score of 100 with an average rating of better than 4.6. But guess what. It's just not available here in Minnesota. But with a score of 96 and an average rating of 4.34, I can be quite content with Surly Furious.

Of course, at the top, thinking one brew is significantly better than another almost as high scoring beer is purely in the mind of the taster.

BTW - Pilsner Urquell - 81 (3.56) vs. Coors Banquet - 61 (2.54). Your call.

 

Sometime they are very good, sometimes they are no better than local options.

 

Some are massively over hyped. Some are just plain ridiculous. Take Black Tuesday for example. Well worth the hype and it's just a crazy 19% behemoth.

 

Mind if I ask which ones you specifically had? Y'know, because curiosity and shit.

 

I agree so much with this. I have almost singlehandedly forsaken easily aquired British brews. And for what? More IPAs?!
I disgust even myself...

 

9 of my top 20 reviewed beers would be considered 'shelf beers', or at least seasonal shelf beers. So I guess the answer is yes, there are plenty of great beers out there that are easily to find. But some of the ones you have to chase are worth it for me. I would suggest trying to good ones that are easy to obtain first, then go after the hard to find ones.

 

Heady
BCBCS
KBS
Zombie Dust
Westy 12
Parabola
Fou' Foune
BCBS
Supplication
FBS
The Abyss
Sucuba (Abacus)
BCB Barleywine