Say it ain't so. Pliny at #10 and falling...

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by chipawayboy, Nov 7, 2014.

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  1. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (2,181) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    A few months back I posted a "what's up w Pliny" thread discussing what I felt was a drop off in the hop character of Pliny the Elder over the past year or so. I was subsequently hammered by the collective BA -- my palate was "burned out", I was from the east coast and what the hell did I know...and on and on. I've loved Pliny since the beginning -- and have consistently found a way to procure it - fresh. Some folks even argued that the shipping process was somehow to blame for my observations of decline. I'm still seeking it out --- but continue to think of it more for its iconic history than its actual taste. I was in SD two weeks ago and had it on tap at both Torranado and Stone Liberty Station and it was way way off it's 2010 prime. My mates agreed (they also fell in love w Alpine Nelson -- THE hands down winner of the trips BiS poll). Today I looked at the top 250 -- once dominated by PtE -- and was sad to see it had dropped to #10. I suppose being 10th best on the planet by the stratified and unbiased BA universe is still pretty amazing -- but I can't help but feeling sad for the once pioneering Pliny. It just ain't what it used to be. Wonder if this will happen to Heady ? Or P-Sue ? Thoughts?
     
    #1 chipawayboy, Nov 7, 2014
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  2. DVMin98

    DVMin98 Grand Pooh-Bah (5,125) Nov 1, 2010 North Carolina
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I like Pliny...he's my friend
     
    #2 DVMin98, Nov 7, 2014
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  3. mlhyatt

    mlhyatt Initiate (0) Jul 27, 2013 Georgia

    I've only had pliny a few times and it's been a few months since i have, but i remember being pretty solid, well balanced with a strong piney hop character and smooth sweet malt backbone. Definitely a top 10 IPA for me still, but i think it has dropped on my personal ranking because of the plethora of IPAs out now that tailor to my personal preferences more so. It's still a solid brew but is it as good as heady, dinner, king sue, lunch, or sucks? No way.
     
    #3 mlhyatt, Nov 7, 2014
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  4. Nick_V

    Nick_V Initiate (0) Jul 4, 2013 Wisconsin

    It's over
     
    #4 Nick_V, Nov 7, 2014
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  5. micromaniac129

    micromaniac129 Initiate (0) Nov 1, 2009 Pennsylvania

    It's IPA parody. Theres just too many good IPA's nowadays.
     
    #5 micromaniac129, Nov 7, 2014
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  6. pmarlowe

    pmarlowe Pooh-Bah (2,005) Nov 27, 2010 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah

    The drop in Pliny's ranking is due to the recent change in how ratings are calculated.
     
    #6 pmarlowe, Nov 7, 2014
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  7. Omnium

    Omnium Initiate (0) Jan 31, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Overrated, it has its place among legend, but its about time really.

    \flameshield
     
    #7 Omnium, Nov 7, 2014
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  8. gonzo000

    gonzo000 Initiate (0) Feb 9, 2014 Massachusetts

    Chipawayboy - where were you finding Pliny in Mass? Have not seen DVMIN98's friend here.
     
    #8 gonzo000, Nov 7, 2014
  9. GetTheYayo

    GetTheYayo Initiate (0) Aug 26, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Pliny>Heady 9 times out of 10
     
    #9 GetTheYayo, Nov 7, 2014
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  10. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (2,181) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I trade for it.
     
    #10 chipawayboy, Nov 7, 2014
  11. deford

    deford Pooh-Bah (1,559) Nov 11, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It was way better last week...
     
    #11 deford, Nov 7, 2014
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  12. MisSigsFan

    MisSigsFan Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2013 California

    This. Also, so many amazing DIPAs now.
     
    #12 MisSigsFan, Nov 7, 2014
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  13. rozzom

    rozzom Pooh-Bah (2,620) Jan 22, 2011 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't drink it enough to agree or disagree with you. I've had it bottled and on tap at the brewpub.

    But point is, that beers rise and fall. It's possible that it's due to some QC issue, but more likely down to the fact that the competition caught up, and in some cases, surpassed it. In a couple of years we'll be having the same conversation about Heady dropping and some new kid on the block being in top spot.
     
    #13 rozzom, Nov 7, 2014
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  14. PVMT

    PVMT Initiate (0) Aug 10, 2014 New York

    This is exactly why it dropped from 5 to 10 in the top 250 in the last week. Nothing to do with a drop in quality, that's for sure.
     
    #14 PVMT, Nov 7, 2014
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  15. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    Good, I hope it drops off the 250. Tired of the difficulty in finding it on my San Diego trips compared to 10+ years ago
     
    #15 yemenmocha, Nov 7, 2014
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  16. joyceleong___

    joyceleong___ Initiate (0) Mar 22, 2014 California

    tbh I think both pliny and heady are over rated. sue me:rolling_eyes:
     
    #16 joyceleong___, Nov 7, 2014
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  17. jman005

    jman005 Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2013 Kentucky

    It's one IPA, who really cares.
     
    #17 jman005, Nov 7, 2014
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  18. Brolo75

    Brolo75 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,134) Aug 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Had Pliny today, and it is still a world class beer. It's a classic and I have never been disappointed by it. There are more IPAs in the market and that may be why Pliny is number 10.
     
    #18 Brolo75, Nov 7, 2014
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  19. MisSigsFan

    MisSigsFan Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2013 California

    Pretty easy for me to find.
     
    #19 MisSigsFan, Nov 7, 2014
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  20. Dupage25

    Dupage25 Savant (1,044) Jul 4, 2013 Antarctica

    Change in the way BA ratings are calculated plus the change in the direction of hops in the last five years. Namely, advocate preferences have shifted away from pine-grapefruit bombs and towards "new world hops" (Aussie and New Zealand hops) and all the newer American varieties that emphasize tropical fruit flavor (think Citra, HBC342 and such).
     
    #20 Dupage25, Nov 7, 2014
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