Intergalactic Hop Shop

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by guajolote, Mar 9, 2016.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 2
  1. guajolote

    guajolote Maven (1,359) Sep 12, 2008 Oregon

    Let me just start by saying the OG batch of this beer (that you lucky Seattleites got most of) was glorious.

    Now that that's out of the way, let's talk about the batch out this week...

    It's not very good. It's not the same beer. It has a similar unfortunate Belgian-y yeastiness to it that the early cans of Sticky Hands had. I was hoping maybe this was a bad keg, but untappd friends in PDX are reporting similar results. This is a bummer, man. Did they rush it out? Recipe change? I don't want to not like this beer.

    Please tell me I'm wrong. Please.
     
    #1 guajolote, Mar 9, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2016
  2. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Is Block 15 having a sanitation/infection issue with equipment? Rogue yeast floating in the brewery?

    The original batch was canned two days before we got it in Seattle and it was AMAZING. Weird.
     
    #2 distantmantra, Mar 9, 2016
    NWer likes this.
  3. Block15Brewing

    Block15Brewing Initiate (0) Apr 19, 2009 Oregon

    Whoa there! Let me answer you questions.


    Did they rush it out? Nope

    Recipe change? Nope (though see below comments on differences.)

    I don't want to not like this beer. It’s OK

    Is Block 15 having a sanitation/infection issue with equipment? Nope, we have a pretty cool lab for a brewery our size.


    Rogue yeast floating in the brewery? Certainly in our wild cellars, we just isolated one!


    There are differences between batch #1 and #2. Mainly the OG & FG was a bit lower. Additionally the yeast really stuck in suspension. I believe the aroma you are noticing is the ester formation from the English yeast in combination with the hop aromas. Not a phenolic (spicy) note like the SH yeast strain we use to use but a fruity ester note. To me, like peach juicy fruit if I’m drinking at a level 5. The first time we used this yeast was for Hop Work shop #1 which was a test for Intergalactic Hop Shop. At gen. 4 the yeast is throwing some stronger fruit character.


    Checking Untapped seems that the majority of folks are really digging this batch with just two mentions of “Belgian” character. Of course, now that one person mentioned it many more will perceive it. Power of suggestion is huge.

    Batch #2 is maybe not the grand slam that batch one was, but that's OK. As a small craft brewery there will be variation in our beer. Of course, I like to narrow that window, and we will on this beer with future batches.


    Nick

    Block 15
     
    #3 Block15Brewing, Mar 9, 2016
    Jbagel1, EdwardAbbey, cavemanlawyer and 15 others like this.
  4. vurt

    vurt Grand Pooh-Bah (4,504) Apr 11, 2004 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The pint I had at Orenco Taphouse last Friday tasted very herbal, slightly peppery up front and almost savory, followed by a melon/peach character. Nothing I'd call Belgian-y, but I have to admit it did make me wonder exactly what all the Batch 1 aficionados were raving so much about.

    The pint of Tropical Slam I had after that? Effing spectacular. In the immortal words of James Brown, "Good God Y'all!"
     
    #4 vurt, Mar 9, 2016
    BBThunderbolt likes this.
  5. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just noticed that the website indicates their new location in Corvallis has the hop shop, tropical slam and Super Nebula on tap. Am thinking it might be time for a drive up after work this Friday.
     
    #5 John_M, Mar 9, 2016
    Jbagel1, BBThunderbolt and vurt like this.
  6. guajolote

    guajolote Maven (1,359) Sep 12, 2008 Oregon

    Thanks @Block15Brewing for your quick response. I wasn't trying to throw you under the bus or anything, though I probably should've considered waiting until I was not buzzed to post. But what's done is done.

    Maybe that's what I was getting. I can be really bad at describing some flavors. I wish I was better at it.

    I really hope people enjoy it. I wasn't suggesting all of untappd agreed with my assessment (they don't), but some of the people I know & trust from untappd did. That's all. I'm certainly not trying to influence peoples' perceptions of the beer, but I suppose it's possible that will happen. I hope everyone will give it a fair shake. I'm sure they will (and they should).

    Definitely understandable. I appreciate what you guys do and I will continue to buy lots of your beer. I drank my last Tropical Slam last night and I has a sad.
     
    #6 guajolote, Mar 9, 2016
    BBThunderbolt likes this.
  7. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    You should come down to Eugene sometimes. It's still all over the place down here (in cans and on draft).

    It's hard to exercise self control sometimes. :-)
     
    #7 John_M, Mar 9, 2016
  8. ballardbeer

    ballardbeer Pundit (779) Nov 10, 2013 Oregon

    @Block15Brewing i also have some issues with batch 2. none of it got sent to Seattle.
     
    #8 ballardbeer, Mar 9, 2016
    EdwardAbbey, TheBronze, Strangestbrewer and 5 others like this.
  9. NWer

    NWer Pooh-Bah (2,145) Mar 10, 2009 Washington
    Pooh-Bah

    Want. So I can decide for myself. Though I don't pick up "off" flavors very quickly it begs comparison.
     
    #9 NWer, Mar 9, 2016
  10. derftron

    derftron Pooh-Bah (1,663) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    ANybody seen this in Portland?

    I missed it in corvallis the last time I was there (it must have been a close call because they still had it listed online). would love to try.

    also, @Block15Brewing , please do another tap takeover in PDX. that was a glorious week of beer drinking :slight_smile:

    And just for the record. Breakfast with the Buffalo is one of the best BA stouts I have had in a while. well done!
     
    #10 derftron, Mar 9, 2016
    m4ttj0nes likes this.
  11. m4ttj0nes

    m4ttj0nes Zealot (611) Feb 21, 2012 Oregon
    Trader

    agree on breakfast. i thought the bottle was significantly better than the draft. superb stuff.
     
    #11 m4ttj0nes, Mar 9, 2016
  12. drone

    drone Savant (1,224) Jun 17, 2013 Oregon
    Trader

    Where can bottles be found?
     
    #12 drone, Mar 9, 2016
  13. derftron

    derftron Pooh-Bah (1,663) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    I got one bottle at Corvallis Brewing Supply over a month ago. My buddy is in distribution and tipped me off. I had to ask for it (was not on shelves) and even then, the guy gave me some side-eye for a few seconds before he went in the basement to fetch a bottle.

    Which reminds me.....it really irks me when shops/beer bars get all cagey when you ask for a special bottle. Either you have it and its for sale, or its not. Dont worry how I found out about your special stash.
     
    #13 derftron, Mar 10, 2016
    sharpski and drone like this.
  14. South2NW

    South2NW Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2013 Oregon

    Not quite Portland, but ABV has it on tap. IBU will be tapping their keg, as well. Market of Choice on Barnes got a keg or 2 as well
     
    #14 South2NW, Mar 10, 2016
  15. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Had no idea this even saw any type of distribution. I thought it was a brewery only release, and then available only on the day of the release with strict allocation limitations.

    I pretty much figured this was going to be another beer that I'll never have a chance to sample, unless someone happens to bring it to a bottle share some day.
     
    #15 John_M, Mar 10, 2016
  16. Jbagel1

    Jbagel1 Initiate (0) May 25, 2015 Oregon

    Im really looking forward the incredible imperial double ipa and the fortuitous 2016 red farmhouse ale this weekend. Well worth the drive from Eugene.
     
    #16 Jbagel1, Mar 10, 2016
  17. boralyl

    boralyl Savant (1,024) Apr 17, 2008 Oregon
    Trader

    It's was just tapped today at The Side Street Tavern.
     
    #17 boralyl, Mar 10, 2016
  18. drone

    drone Savant (1,224) Jun 17, 2013 Oregon
    Trader

    It's still tapped at Market of Choice; grabbed my second growler fill of it.
     
    #18 drone, Mar 10, 2016
  19. G_Z_a

    G_Z_a Zealot (635) Feb 2, 2015 Oregon

    Yeah, had it on tap at Market of Choice last Friday. I do agree with the OP to a certain degree. It did seem a little off. Had it on tap about a month prior at the brewery and remembered enjoying that more. Those are the only 2 times I've tried it. I don't think the difference was dramatic and I didn't pick up any Belgian/spicy characteristics, but it just wasn't as juicy as the 1st time I had it. Still really enjoyed it. Appreciate the response from Block 15 and their dedication to their craft. Look forward to seeing more of this and trying new batches.
     
    #19 G_Z_a, Mar 10, 2016
  20. googzoid10

    googzoid10 Devotee (365) Nov 10, 2008 Oregon
    Trader

    It's a long shot, but any Tropical Slam cans left in the greater Portland area?
     
    #20 googzoid10, Mar 10, 2016
Page 1 of 2
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.