2016 Up-and-Coming Breweries

1. Thanks for google-shaming me, but I am certainly aware that they make other styles and are growing. But I've never seen or heard any discussion of those other beers beyond the fact that they exist, which leads me to assume nobody is excited about them like they are the IPAs, which certainly do get lots of discussion. And yes, I know they're growing, but I'd argue they still have too many growing pains to work through (e.g. I've heard of instances in 2015 that someone stopped by when the website said they'd be open but they weren't, and availability is not yet consistent).

2. I'm glad you like chunky beer. I am fine with hazy, I love unfiltered. But murky? It makes me wonder if there are production issues. When I see chunky stuff suspended in opaque beer, I question the quality control. And I didn't say that the beer didn't smell or taste good, and it's entirely absurd to use taste and smell to defend appearance.

3. One thing I did not say is that the labels offend me. They don't. But the quality of design could be bettered by a high school student. (Honestly. I teach them.) Sloppy design does not make the beer taste bad. But it certainly doesn't inspire confidence in the business acumen of the people running the show. Now layer on top of that the juvenile humor (again, please note that me calling the humor "juvenile" does not mean it offends me or that I didn't relish asking for the Dong at a beer fest), which limits the kind of locations where you could get it (some places won't want to associate their branding with HH's; I can't imagine Heinen's selling it) and the potential customers who might select it. That won't stop you or me from buying Hoof Hearted beers. But it will stop many others, which inhibits their ability to grow, which is the whole point. Their branding as it is right now dooms them to a niche of a niche at best.

4. I'm glad they're opening a brewpub. I'm glad you like their beer. I'm glad I liked my limited experience with their beer. I just think they've got further to grow before they move past the "maybe they'll make it" phase and into the upper tier than you seem to. I hope they do. And I'm sorry you're overly sensitive to my lack of unbridled enthusiasm.

It's Saturday. Have a great beer tonight.

 

With it's expansion and opening of a brewery in Elk Grove Village, IL, everyone should watch out for Mikerphone Brewing. They have already put out some great beers, but with the expansion, I expect them to really break out this year.

 

Dude, it's a really narrow view to call them frat boys making dick jokes. They also make fart jokes.

 

Perfect list.

 

My vote goes to the Brewery at Bacchus. They produce high quality of sours and ipas. Getting a lot of publicity in nyc that days. They have a tap takeover at Torst next Sunday. Doing collaborations with some very good brewers: suarez, kent falls, evil twin, threes. Very fortunate to be a 5 minute walk away.

 

I'm in San Diego and Who Farted just became my favorite brewery of all time.

 

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

 

Locally....

Trillium will slowly be increasing their production this year but they'll be at full capacity in the new few with room to expand. Looking forward to their Ft. Point location to (hopefully) become their experimentation brewery.

Night Shift had an incredible 2015 and looking forward to their new taproom and consistent canning with their new machinery.

Just started getting acclimated with Medusa and looking forward to trying more of them.

Looking out for some new guys like Bone Up and Winter Hill Brewing soon!

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However, at the end of the year, I've seen Singlecut and got to try a few of their offerings. They are blowing me away. Can't wait for more!

 

are their ipa's more "west coast" or "new england"?

 

I wasn't even aware that New England had its own category on top of East & West. Looking into it, I suppose they veer more more towards tropical (or juicy) IPAs than straight hop-bombs, so NE may be the better classification for the majority. That being said, I've had one or two dank and piney IPAs there. Many of their IPAs go with Citra, Simcoe, Mosaic & Nelson so I suppose you can be the judge on whether it's your jam or not. Definitely worth a try if you're in the area.

 

from what ive read great notion brewing is going to be doing some exiting things but since its from Oregon most likely it will only blow up in the Northwest.totally fine with that

 

Reaver Beach in Va Beach has finally gotten their coolship beers out into the wild (pun!) in the past year, and every one of them has been incredible. Also the Veil and the Answer in Richmond.

 

from my understanding, west coast has more of that bitter bite and new england is more aroma than bitterness. both being very hoppy in different ways.

 

Transmitter out of Queens, NY. They're making some really great interesting saisons and other funky beers. Also, for such a tiny brewery I really have to respect the patience they display with barrel aging and bottle conditioning their beers before they release 'em; they let some of them sit for a lot longer than most breweries would be willing to.

 

In New Hampshire Stoneface and Garrison City are impressing. Nearby Brewmaster Jack is blowing up and element brewing is doing some interesting strong beers

 

Really enjoyed W3 recently

 

Brash Brewing in Houston. Using similar hop-profile as Three Floyds and have some seriously robust stouts...

 

Common Roots in South Glens Falls, NY. Watch out..

 

Here in MN... I would have to say Insight Brewing CO.

 

Great Notion in Portland