Tired Hands (October 2016)

It was last night. I thought the BBA version was pretty good; albeit a bit thin.

Picked up cans of both High Road and Hop Hands last night. Pretty good. Breweries in Colorado are delving into the hazy IPA trend (yes, definitely a trend/fad), and doing it at a pretty high level (i.e. Codename Superfan), but I'm a fan of Hop Hands. Also have found the carb to be low in the High Road cans.

 

It was on today at noon, but they're not doing growlers of regular or coffee - only BBOV

 

Depressing, thanks guys.

 

I know. I really wanted a growler of the Coffee since I couldn't drink an 11% abv brew at lunch yesterday.

 

Posted a similar question in the Forest & Main thread. I know this has been discussed regarding TH before, but it annoys me so I thought I'd bring it up again.

Anybody know the wisdom behind the move to 750 mL bottles? Seems like most of their bottles over the last 6ish months have been 750s, with some exceptions. Is it just to sell through them quicker? I for one prefer 500 mL bottles in most cases. I find it more difficult to finish a 750 myself sometimes and, although I know there is the argument that the 750s are a "better deal" based on price per ounce, I'm more likely to buy more 500 mL bottles than 750s, and likely spend more money in doing so, simply because of the difference in price.

Obviously this isn't a huge problem and I still buy 750s. More just want to see what others think and see if there are reasons beyond selling through quicker/not having to sit on inventory longer.

 

Victory has used an automated counter pressure filler since 2008:
http://www.victorybeer.com/2009/08/why-does-our-growler-filler-sound-like-darth-vader/
http://jackcurtin.com/ldo/?p=271


Same with Troegs

 

To the people commenting on IG about High Road being flat, TH's response was: "High Road tastes badass to us."

Alrighty then...

 

Serious question. Why do people like Tired Hands and what do they do right? Full disclosure, I have only been there twice both times both location and drank everything on draft. I don't particularly like the way they carry themselves but that's neither here nor there. Thoughout these monthly threads it's nothing but complaints. From exploding growlers, Magotago, hop hands being off, diacetyl, beer being flat. I guess I'm just wondering why do people keep buying.

 

Pretty much anytime that TH makes an Instagram post about a specific beer it means that they are having trouble selling it. I think Helles Other People must be their most talked-about beer, for example.

I don't know why they make High Road so much. It's unlike their other beers and is more of a traditional IPA in my opinion (it's clear) but if they canned Punge again I'd be all over it.

Edit: response to NJNYC
I complain here because I like the brewery but get disappointed. If I didn't like their beer overall I wouldn't keep going there. On a positive note, I drank a can of Technicolor Splendor last night and it was about 2 months old but still very good and it held up better than expected. The Only Void cans are also everything I wanted them to be.

I think they do oat IPA's and aged/bottled sour beers very well.

 

I just drank a High Road can from this week and it was neither flat nor clear. I'm not saying that people didn't get flat cans, but if it always tastes like this batch (this is my first time having it) I don't really understand why it doesn't get much love. Its on par with most of the other ipas I've had from them.

 

There are a number of reasons but one that I will share is: ALien Church. My personal drinking experiences with this beer has mostly been very positive (I once had a draft pint that was sub-par).

Would it be 'better' if Tired Hands consistently produced high quality beer? You betcha.

The 'good news' is that when they do produce a beer that meets all of its objectives (e.g., no brewing flaws, has all of the intended flavors and qualities, etc.) that beer drinking experience is a thing of absolute beauty.

Cheers!

 

They keep kegs way too cold at Ferm for ALien Church, I have felt that almost every pint I've had at Ferm has been missing something because of how cold it is. But I have had growlers that were great poured from the same tap handle and the only difference was I let the growler warm up some.

 

Love me some ice cold Alien Church...

 

FWIW I personally have never had a bad experience drinking ALien Church at Ferm. The one time I had a sub-par experience with draft ALien Church was at a local (to me) beer bar.

I have had canned ALien Church a couple of times and those canned beers were AWESOME!!

Cheers!

 

I think they're inconsistent with High Road then because I've never seen it not-clear actually.

Here is a can I just opened and the glass fogged up a little bit but you can still see it isn't like other TH IPA's. This can is as clear as any typical non-NE IPA and even a bit light colored. Good carb and great taste though, no complaints.

 

I've been off this brewery lately. I can't get in line with how many misses they have. The time and money are not worth it and I've had little to no motivation to go.

 

only void coffee is incredible. seriously one of the best coffee beers i've had.

 

Seconding this. I liked the latest Mago fresh, really liked it with 2 weeks, but wasn't digging the can I opened last night. All I get from it now is raw mango. Drinkable, but only barely enjoyable.

I hope someone holds onto a can for 4-6 months to see what this turns into. You know, for science.

 

Drank the one my friend gave me two nights ago and I gotta say the aroma and initial taste was awesome. But then there was a astringent burn at the end I just could not get over. We need to start talking more about beer and "what it is and not what it should be" -steal this beer. Enjoy each beer for what it is, if its not the best batch ever who care. Embrace the difference, isn't that what got us all into craft beer in the first place, we wanted variety. Sorry, had to get philosophical on a Saturday morning.

 

I agree to a point. High Road is pretty good (coming from someone who doesn't have constant access to it, and other TH beers). We live in Colorado, but my fiancee's parents live within ten minutes of TH. I'd say the only caveat is we LOVE Punge. I think it's the best IPA I've had from TH, so everything is sort of a comparison to that...we're here this week and was really hoping for Punge...but High Road and Hop Hands in cans acceptable too...I guess. I'm not a TH fanboy, but I think half of their beers are pretty great. Was less impressed by the three Void varieties we tried overall, but thought the original was great. No complaints.