IPA craze: When will it be over?!

I don't agree with that. Many breweries have different grains for different beer styles, and they know what happens as the grist is changed. As for yeast, if a brewery makes Belgian styles and/or lagers, they are using a different yeast and know how to handle it.

 

What? Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!

 

Never. IPA's taste incredible. Im a total Hop head. That being said I went right past fresh Ruinten and Jai Alai to pick up a 6 pack of Maduro that just arrived after a 6 month hiatus..

There's all kinds of beer on the shelf.

 

If I'm wrong, when was there a time that thing were better here? You seem to think that if the USA didn't brew really good IPAs this would change and somehow there would be cask beer imported from england at every bar. Things are great. Is everything available? of course not. Is a lot more available now than ever before? Yes definitely. Are there tons amazing brews in the US that are not IPAs? Yes! Sorry that you would rather drink in germany or england. I'm sure their beer is quite good too. WTF is a vegetarian doing in a steakhouse anyway?

I go into stores and see much more variety than I have in the past. Even the gas station tends to have quite a bit of variety. Stores that used to have 3 choices now have dozens.

Maybe the current craft scene in the US isn't doing every style well, but you're just not looking if you think it's nothing but IPAs.

You seem to think it proves you point that you can name a few styles that you can't find, but it really just makes you sound like someone who can't be satisfied. The sun is shining - the water is warm, but all you can think about is the sand in your *****.

 

You're not wrong, I never said you were. Now is the greatest time for beer in the US. And I wasn't complaining, I love IPAs, and for something specific, I love the current trend of lower abv styles.

I was responding specifically to this quotation from you, "honestly if you aren't an IPA guy, keep your mouth shut."

You clearly have a lack of understanding, experience, and desire to try styles other than an IPA (or those that are hop forward). As you've shown by your inability to respond specifically to anything I've addressed with regard to the lack of quality in other styles. And now you've resorted to insults and cannot keep the conversation civil. You told the OP, who innocently asked when other styles would be brewed in abundance (quality beers), to "keep his mouth shut." So to you I say, honestly, if you are JUST an IPA guy, keep your mouth shut.

 

Well if you get offended by half of a sentence out of context arguments might ensue...

There is no valid reason to complain about what other people enjoy. If there was a valid reason to want the "IPA craze" to end I would have responded differently. The way I see it the OP created a thread with no purpose other than to hate on a popular thing to make himself seem unique.

I responded to all of you specific complaints by admitting that you are probably right and that I'm not a expert. I mentioned that belgian ales are very available and some are quite good. You seem to disagree with that, but I can't understand why. I am not very familiar with british cask beer which is really the only thing that you keep harping on. You mentioned one style of german beer that is hard to find and I didn't say much about it.

BTW I never said anything about my preferences. All I have been saying is it's ridiculous to complain about the beer scene in America right now.

 

I feel like you just said "When is this pizza craze going to end?!"

 

I'm not offended in the least. We both agree that the beer scene is better than it's ever been in the US. We disagree on the point of the OP. Let's call it a day on that note, and in all likelihood I'll enjoy some type of IPA today. I hope you do as well.

Cheers!

 

Dude you've basically called me an idiot in all of your posts with your condescending language. I use crass language because I find it entertaining. If you get insulted by someone telling you to get the sand out of your *****, living in MA must be rough for you. I'm not going to walk into your office and call you a *****, but if we're at the bar that sort of language flies. Since this is a beer forum, I go by bar etiquette.

 

Well now I'm confused, who's insulted, you or me?

Relax and let's stop inserting this argument into the thread and try to bring things back to the topic.

 

What a condescending load. Your palate doesn't have to agree with big-hopped IPAs in order for you to understand the American craft beer landscape, and acknowledge that they are not in the least a fad or a craze that will die out. Look around you -- people love these things. Not because they're the coolest new thing, but simply because we think they're delicious. They're a staple, for good.

You don't like them, find something else. PLENTY of options, thankfully. You want shelves and taplists full of Abbey ales, try a trip to Belgium.

 

enlighten me

 

OP, seems that, based on the long history of American IPAs, and their role in actually driving the explosion of craft's popularity, that this is not so much a craze or fad as an expression of the preference of a large segment of the craft beer population. Which means I think it unlikely to end soon. As others have said, the production of IPAs is generally a response to demand.

While I started enjoying craft as a stout and porter hound, I expanded into IPAs last year, then sours this spring. I love IPAs, but I still probably prefer a middle of the road stout to a middle of the road IPA. I like to drink the best thing available, though, whatever the brew, so with so many amazing IPAs out there right now, I probably hit more IPAs in an average week than I do anything else.

Still, honestly, I don't think IPAs are sucking out all the oxygen in the room. I prefer to think of it as creating a larger wake, in which other styles I might otherwise never see brewed in the US are made and sold because the brewers can afford the risk. In Indianapolis, Sun King has a lot of IPA and a flagship pale ale, but they also put out solid ESB, Scottish and Wee Heavy offerings, and though I've never had a chance to try them, apparently fruit and sour options, too. The big pale ale and IPA sales make some of the more obscure stuff possible.

 

To those who answer with, "Brewers brew it because it sells," I ask, "Why do drinkers want it?"
Serious question (I'm not putting the style down). Please don't bother with "Because it tastes good," responses.

 

Why is "because it taste good" not a valid answer? Why the hell else would you drink it?

 

For starters, you could say the same for any other style.