My friends and I have noticed a considerable decline in the quality of on-tap Alpine beer in the last 2 months. Specifically Nelson and Duet. We have tried each multiple times, different kegs, and come to the same conclusion. They are ok at best, very much lacking in the tropical aromatics and taste that Alpine is famous for. We always try them out of Pavlovian habit, but end up switching immediately to Lagunitas or Green Flash; they simply taste better right now. Anyone notice similar in recent bottles? Perhaps this is related to the Nelson hops shortage I've heard about? I think they are still brewing at their small facility, right? I suspect this will cause an uproar. I was careful not to jump to conclusions, but it's been consistently sub par for about 2 months.
Many people have been saying exactly the opposite of this. You may have better luck in the Pacific forum, more people will have the answers you are looking for and there are a few Alpine threads going on over there atm.
I drink Nelson & Duet about every other day. Those beers are amazing. I see no issues. Please though...keep drinking Green Flash or Lagunitas and save the Alpine stuff for me
I just drank a bottle of Nelson, two Duets, and a Pure the other night. I definitely noticed the Pure Hoppiness flatness issue that everyone is talking about--it wasn't completely flat, but about 85% so. Both the Duet and Nelson were fantastic. I've got a growler of Nelson coming soon, so I'll let you know how it stacks up to past ones!
The two pitchers of Nelson I drank on Saturday were pretty awesome, even after the cask of Double Nelson.
Yeah, sorry, I guess I should have posted in the Pacific forum. I checked and saw the bottling problem, but no mention of on-tap problems. I will admit that most of my bad experience has been mostly at a single bar. But it's always been fine there in the past. Something's not right with those beers, at least at that bar. I can't beleive tap lines could affect it that much... Nelson doen't have the usual glow and is clear, not hazy like it should be. Not going to name the bar; I will investigate further.
If you are willing to make the effort to try Alpine on tap at a different bar (and you like it at that different bar) then you will have your answer. Cheers!
i had both of these on tap last month and thought they were fantastic...better than i remember previous bottles i've traded for.
Drinking Hoppy Birthday & Bad Boy right now. These beers are gross stay away. I will suffer for mankind and drink it all over the next few days.
When I was in SD a month ago i had the duet and the nelson, the nelso def had a yellow bell pepper thing going on, the duet was great.
"Here is a pic of three Nelsons poured in a row. The round after was clear again. All were delicious."-Sebowski Photo Credit: Sebowski http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/stone-sour-fest.15127/page-3#post-347415
Thanks for the pics. That's new to me. How does that happen? Is it normal? I've most often seen the cloudy looking version of Nelson. And the crazy thing is.... that pic is from the bar where I've noticed the off taste!!!!
Last week drank in a row Alpine ale-manderin nectar-nelson-duet-pure hoppiness-super nelson. All were spot on in taste with no off flavors,super nelson slightly cloudy. All tasted just as good as always.
