Changes to Deschutes Fresh Squeezed

He meant that the flavors have been off for a month, not that the beer hasn't been on tap.

 

^^ Yes, flavor was different for the past cpl weeks, but only in PDX, don't know reason for that.

 

Sure they didnt give you Chain Breaker?

 

You are right, we did brew a small experimental batch of Fresh Squeezed using coriander in place of a small percentage of the Citra Hop addition. The theory was, that the citrus notes in coriander could make up for some of the same flavors in the Citra hop. We, like you, found it not to our standards. To back up a little, when we come out with a new beer, we estimate how much we will sell (brew) and purchase raw materials for that amount at the high end of the range. Additionally, we forward contract our hops for 5 years. When we have a beer like Fresh Squeezed that far exceeds our sales estimates, it can challenge our system, and our suppliers. When the ingredient is a relatively new hop, without enough acreage in the ground (we were one of the breweries that commissioned the first commercial crop of Citra) the challenge can be much more practical and obvious. Right now it looks like we will have all the Citras we want in 2017. 2016 (the second half) looks to be the issue, if sales trends continue. We are working very hard to try and solve the problem and are using every tool at our disposal to do so. Not every experiment is successful (read: coriander). However, I hope you all have learned over the years that our standards are very high. We will not offer you any beer that does not meet, or exceed, those standards. We will try and keep you informed as we move through this process. We appreciate and need your feedback.
Gary

 

Love it when a guy like Gary or Texwild jumps into a thread to drop some knowledge, straight from the source. Deschutes' standards are exactly why this seemed off to me, but TIL something thanks to jbakajust1 and Gary!

 

I'm assuming demand has far outstripped supply on this beer. One of my reps told me they were pulling FS out of almost every state they distribute to in order to keep Oregon supplied, and even then I was told not to sell any more kegs to kegorator customers.

 

Total bummer. Love that beer.

 

I'm assuming the change was a one off batch brewed at the Portland pub. They wouldn't be crazy enough to fuck with the packaged version coming out of Bend.

 

I thought I read somewhere recently that Fresh Squeezed is their best selling beer by far, and it surprised them a lot. Considering how far out they have to plan for the hops, I suppose it happens.

 

Crossing my fingers you're right. Picking up a 6er after work.

 

@Ohiovania look up at the post from @GaryatDeschutes post. OP made an error in interpreting what he was told at the brewery and was drinking an experimental batch of Fresh Squeezed. No change, but looks like it will more limited in the future.

 

Fresh Squeezed is still available in all of the states where Deschutes sells it. We have not pulled it out of any states but we are closely managing how much is shipped out of the brewery. Like Gary said above, it's not until the second half of 2016 where it will get interesting. Cheers.

 

Mirror Pond Pale Ale is still Deschutes Brewery's #1 selling beer YTD but Fresh Squeezed is nipping at its heels.

 

Gonna have to start hittin' the MP, aren't I? That beer is a long time favorite. It's been nudged out a bit by Field 41, but I'll try to rectify that.

BTW, where does Black Butte sit?

 

Black Butte is #3 for Deschutes and still the best selling craft porter in the country according to IRI data.

 

FTFY

 

This thread should serve as a useful lesson to breweries everywhere. If you're going to go fiddling with one of your most popular recipes, you should probably call it something like "Experimental IPA #17" or something rather than cause all of your fans to freak out.

 

Just make more people happy and brew Red Chair year-round!

It's been difficult to find FSqueezed the last month or so here.

 

Exactly what a coworker and I were just saying. Just make it different enough so the customer knows it's not the same thing.