Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

Pretty disappointing in my opinion. It had a bit too much going on. Nose was great but the taste didn't follow.

My expectations are high from the stuff both of them have been putting out though.

 

It was just a joke. I do enjoy the feedback.

For everyone else, we are going to try and bring more up the weekend of Sierra Nevada Beer Camp.

 

Hey Guys/Gals, For the Mikerphone night at Corridor we will be pouring our Reign in Punch collaboration. The two featured Mikerphone pours will be Super Duper Special Sauce and Pale Pauper. We'll also tap our next DDH IPA offering Van Hazen at or around 5pm (depending on carbonation time). Featured hops are Citra, Simcoe, and Motueka. Draft, Crowlers, and Growlers will be available for Reign and Van Hazen. Hope to see everyone on Wednesday.

 

I actually didn't care for Stay Lit. It looks the part but didn't taste like beer to me, more like carbonated fruit juice. I really like Snooze Juice and Salute your Simcoe.

 

Interesting take, my experience with Unwind Your Mind was very different. I thought it tasted very fruity and juicy, with a minor hop bite on the end. I agree that it wasn't the typical "milkshake" NE style, but the juicy quality and the soft mouth feel were enough to be considered an East coast IPA. Unless I totally misinterpreted "juice from hops, not fruit juice"...

If they decide to stop doing one-offs and concentrate on the ones that killed it (Destination Moon, Unwind Your Mind, etc), I'd buy a LOT more of Hop Butcher cans.

 

I talked to the guy from Forbidden Root that was pouring Stay Lit at Ultra Fesh II on Saturday. I asked if they were brewing it again soon - he said they plan to in the next month or so and that FFF is supposed to be brewing a batch even sooner that may end up bottled. That'll be interesting if it is true.

 

I'd love it if FFF started doing a lot of fresh one off NE IPAs. Would remind me of the old days before they started distributing so much stuff when I'd have to go up to try their one offs more frequently.

 

From what I understand, Hop Butcher wants to give true focus to freshness. I expect you'll see lots of seasonal beers, or maybe a half acre style calendar. I don't see them signing with distribution anytime soon. They seem to be happy in this lane. Here's to hoping they find their own space ASAP.

 

Agreed. It had something almost great going on, but there was this potent green taste that felt like I was biting a hop pellet that took away from all the positives for me. Maybe that flavor mellows over time, and that beer tastes great in a week?

 

Anyone here had the NE IPA offerings from Old Nation out of Michigan.....specifically M-43, and/or Boss Tweed. Heard both are outstanding, specifically boss tweed. In the process of acquiring both, so was curious how they compare to the NE IPA offerings here in Chicagoland.

 

Agree with all of this...I believe they brew out of Aquanot's space so who the hell knows what's going on with that and hopefully they can utilize that at some point and get better consistency.

Side note on Unwind Your Mind...sent a fan to my buddy who is lives near Philly and is a Tired Hands regular and has had the majority of the Northeast NE IPA goodies and his response last night (almost three weeks after canning) was "Buy all the Unwind Your Mind...All of it." First time from all of the Hop Butcher beers other than GB Batch 1 he has said something like that.

Insert GIF of Ron Swanson wanting all of the bacon.

 

Small sample size of 1 can each that a coworker gave me (previous batches - his parents live downstate). While I liked both, I enjoyed Dank Meme more than RDM. Such great flavor at a nice ABV and easy drinking point.

 

Have had 4-6 cans of m-43, and its outstanding FYI would make it a regular if i could

 

Easily better than anything Hop Butcher puts out. I really liked that last batch of Stratus from Hailstorm and I think M-43 is just as good.

 

the new corridor beer looks and sounds awesome:

 

hope it last till Saturday!

 

As long as FR and CBP continue to alternate release weeks, I think my budget will be okay....