Surly Abrasive

I thought 10/26 was tasty. To me, it's less sweet and slightly more bitter than last year, but very much Abrasive. I also don't think it's any more boozy. Had no problem finishing my can way too quickly.

 

Ditto!

 

So all three of the beer staff just opened 3 different 4pks of 10/26 (each with a different canning time, if that's what it is?) The beer is drier than last year for sure, but we could not find any flaws with the beer itself. We also could pick up no variation from 4pk to 4pk. We invited customers to join us and they agreed with us. Just our observation of this 1st batch.

 

VA boy chiming in, just got a case delivered today, 10-26 canned date...I was so geeked for this new run it wasn't funny...also got uber fresh Hopsmack yesterday and pummeled a bottle before this can.

Thought maybe that did my palate in? Is it slightly oxidized? Perhaps? I'm not getting the usual dank abrasive aroma when I crack the can, as in the past 3 years, I'm a ***** for this beer, and it's not the abrasive of old IMO...when it warms, it gets better...second can is better...not oxidized? It's definitely Boozier than years past me thinks. Is this 10-26 run a little green? Needs to sit for a few more days?

Some good reads on this thread, some very good beers in the Midwest, which I'm a big fan of. For perspective, Aslin and Ocelot are killing it in NoVA btw, but are also growing and have their pains too with beers. Growing is good, also addressing your customer concerns is also good.

Skol y'all.

 

Interesting, and major kudos to you and your staff for investigating this.

I cracked open another 10/26 (0936) and it is better than what I had last night. It is getting better as it warms (last night it got worse). However, this is not the World Class DIPA that I am accustomed to with Abrasive. It is not tasting like an infected beer to me; just way, way off what I recall from past versions.

To paraphrase Seinfeld; "beer 's a gamble" ("fruit 's a gamble, I know that going in")...last week I had a 2015 11/4 Goose Island that was just fine, so win some, lose some. However, I'd much rather be enjoying a delicious glass of Abrasive, than writing this post.

In the end, I'll vote with my wallet...plenty of choices to be had out there, indeed.

I very much appreciate this forum...thank you, all.

 

Good, bad, better, worse... It is different this run.

 

Interesting...@HopAttack3 posts almost an identical experience to mine (particularly noting how the beer got better as it warmed); just minutes apart.

So, it wasn't just me...

Excellent, this forum is...excellent!

 

Has the effects of Todd leaving already struck this early with Abrasive? Hoofa...that's not good.

At least I ain't the only one thinking this with this batch.

 

Drinking 10/26. Not the same abrasive. The aroma is gone. My parents who don't like most ipa beers actually liked abrasive last year. They said the same thing. Heat from the alcohol and more bitterness. Very little of the bright tangerine taste that made it so drinkable.

It kinda makes me wonder when Todd actually stopped working at the brewery.

 

Todd mentioned on Twitter this year was the exact same recipe...*shrugs*...cracks open a can of Abrasive to start this Vikings game off right on this summer like day in the Twin Cities...

https://twitter.com/ToddTheAxeMan/status/794700241694060544

 

I had a 4 pack from 10/26, one can was really good (albeit not world class, but good for surly), and the other was not good at all (but drinkable)

 

Dang - hope this is an anomaly as Abrasive is one of my favorite DIPAs

 

I had a similar experience with my second 10/26 4 pack. DAMN! I was feeling really hopeful after 4 really good cans in the first 4 pack.

 

This got posted earlier, but according to Surly's Blog.

http://surlybrewing.com/news/3571/

Which would imply, not exactly the same.

 

Agreed, but seems to me that more changed with this years recipe than just double dry hopping? I'm not complaining though, I've gone through 3 4 packs of the 10/26 and have enjoyed every single can

 

I think it's funny how they comment on the nose being huge. I remember being able to crack the can and get blown away by the aroma without having to bring it anywhere near my face. This batch I have to jam my nose in the snifter to get a whiff of anything.

 

Maybe it got double dry hopped to hid some imperfections that are coming through to you people?

 

I had the 10/19 batch. Thought it was boozy and a bit harsh cold, but as it warmed up the fragrance and taste really opened up. A good DIPA, but it seemed kinda one dimensional compared to last year's, though. I'll save my money for Hop Forest. That stuff is legit. Would love to see Summit make a year-round DIPA in tall boys, too. I thought their anniversary brew from earlier in the year was very tasty, especially for the price.

 

Eh, it tasted better before Mike Saboe left.