Kane Brewing (August 2016)

I had Ripple for the first time yesterday. I thought it tasted very similar to Head High, so it was great, but not unique. I'm scratching my head as to why this beer was almost double the price.

 

This is interesting because, unless the recipe has changed in the last two months, I don't believe Head High has Nelson in any form whereas Ripple is an exclusively Nelson brew.

 

I wouldn't say they taste similar, but the Ripple bottles have a bitterness level that is definitely closer to Head High than last year. I found last year's Ripple to be "rounder" (trying not to call everything juicy). Seems like either they are trying to slide it into the session IPA category, or this year's Nelson hops just have a more pronounced perceived bitterness.

 

The cost difference is simply a matter of format.
The 16 oz can in 4 packs is always going to be cheaper than the 16.9 oz bottles

 

Right, but Overhead was released the same day as Ripple in the same exact format for the same price. Ripple is 4.4% session IPA and Overhead is an 8.2% double IPA. I think most of us would expect Ripple to be cheaper. Galaxy Head High was 50 cents cheaper than both of these bottles.

 

Head High (and to a lesser extent, Overhead) is Kane's flagship beer - I'm sure the supply chain is very efficient for the ingredients necessary to make it. Ripple is a one off with expensive, popular hops, and is hopped like a DIPA despite its 4%abv.

 

That pretty much sums it up. Nelson Sauvin hops are expensive, and Ripple uses a lot of them. It's no more complicated than that.

 

Easy a Kane style Porter or stout with the usual carton twist on things. I love carton but feel they lack in the rich stout/Porter market. A Kane base with the far out carton twist would be awesome

 

Boxcarton and Shipwreck would like to have a word with you

 

I never have had boxcarton so I can't speak on it. Shipwreck is good, I enjoy it, but to me it's not spectacular

 

In his defense, Kane makes WAY more high ABV stouts and porters. And they're usually amazing.

 

What he said

 

Are the head high/overhead kegs they offer all the pub style? Those are disposable and don't require a deposit correct?

 

Got one a couple months ago - $95 plus a $30 cash deposit - not disposable

 

They are disposable now. They switched over recently. I inquired last weekend about them.

 

I was told the same thing, when I returned an overhead pub keg a few weeks ago. BTW did anyone else have issues with the pub kegs? They don't do as well in my kegerator as the metal ones. Foam a bit more throughout, and get very wild at the end.

 

Didn't know that - sorry for the bum info!

 

Headed over to Taphouse Grille tonight for their NJ brewers takeover. FINALLY got to try Sunday Brunch as they had it on. Completely lived up to the hype. Wow!

 

Was there as well. The winner of the evening.