Other Half (2020)

What is everyone's thoughts on all the HDHC beers? I had high hopes for them but overall I've been pretty underwhelmed, almost to the point where I'm not interested in OH beers anymore.

 

I’m mostly over drinking carbonated alcoholic melon juice. HDHC or not.

 

My honest assessment was that the only one that really impressed me was HDHC ACE, which I didn't get this time around b/c it sold out. The prior time they did it I loved it and I could see a difference from DDH ACE (same with experimental ACE which was the less savvy name before HDHC). Dream City was good and I enjoyed it, but HDHC is the only version so nothing to compare it against. Same for HDHC AME, I didnt get normal AME and theres not even a DDH version I believe. HDHC Hop Showers can 1 tasted off to an extent, can 2 was really good, can 3 was back to being not very good. Can 4 I sent to a friend so will see what he says. For the cost difference, I wouldn't buy again. I think I had some other HDHCs when they would pop up randomly pre-COVID and some were good but nothing ground breaking.

 

I’ve yet to have an HDHC beer that I preferred over the DDH version. To me it just feels like it’s at the point of diminishing returns with all the extra hops.

 

A few notes on newish OH beers. Love Bird Cage. Reminds me of a Grimm beer. Strata Chroma's good, Motueka Chroma not so good. HDHC Water Balloon Fight Club is trash.

 

The first time I saw what HDHC was (OH was doing a tap takeover at Churchkey), I thought it was way overkill. I don't think I had HDHC (i.e. they were out) when I made it there. The only HDHC I've had was Small Mosaic Everything. I thought it was good and not over the top. I was concerned that it would be over the top for a smaller beer. I don't know how they vary their "hop charge" for different ABV beers (which we covered earlier in the thread). I was impressed that there wasn't hop burn in that beer and that it was more refined than I expected. I don't know how they've done with other beers and whether there's been more variability among the HDHC beers. I was surprised (positively) by my one experience.

 

Drinking a Small Strata now and really enjoying it

 

Drinking Deluge right now.

In my opinion, it's absolutely incredible. The amount of peach flavor in this bad boy is absolutely absurd. Honestly it reminds me a bit of the early days of Tree House' Haze. Hell even Very Hazy.

 

Go take your medication. Comparing current other half to treehouse is just ludicrous

 

I've taken my medication, thank you for reminding me.

 

Don’t mind him. He just sits in the back of the class with his finger up his nose, jerking off into empty Julius cans

 

Is that how they make jjjjjuliusssss?

 

Only people with access to too much great beer lament the current state of affairs with Other Half. Outside the NYC metro things can be pretty bleak- I'm currently adrift in Western NY/Southern Tier and not a reputable brewer or reseller of beer less than an hour away (so minimum 2-hours round trip to get some solid suds). And having spent plenty of time in the Midwest where cities are much further apart I am aware that this is not even the worst case scenario.

Regarding the recent HDHC poll I'll just reiterate my previously stated position that it's fine, in some cases great, but rarely a noticeable improvement over the DDH versions (where applicable). Perhaps there is a difference in how the beer holds up though? I feel like OH is almost always good up to 4 weeks out (haven't really had any drop off before that). I left some of my HDHC cans back in BK so I wouldn't return to an empty fridge (he who plans ahead, stays ahead!) so will see.

 

My HDHC experience is that the HDHC ACE that was released last year was the best beer OH put out in 2019 (for me). All the recent flurry of HDHCs, at best, have been on par with solid DDH/regular versions. Citra + Strata still 2020 champ for me so far.

 

No sir I just spent way too much money on trash from other half this year. You can have my share from now on cheers

 

Yeah I was going to say - if anyone should be taking meds it should be the guy who continues to spend time, effort and money, buying, consuming and discussing beers he doesn't enjoy. Glad you've seen the light

 

I'm honestly not big on most of the HDHC or any of the beers with Incognito in them, seems like it messes up the mouthfeel or something.

 

I'm just waiting for someone to say they finally dialed it back in. The head brewer that left oh for mountain walking is making the quality stuff they use to. I've been drinking plenty of that stuff

 

Our final batch of All Together will be available in the taproom today, Tuesday, at noon. It's also available via home delivery in all zones this week. Get it while you still can!⁠

DDH All Together India Pale Ale (6.5%) We brewed this recipe with 2-row, oats and carapils and then hopped it with a beautiful blend of our hand selected Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe and Cascade. Proceeds from this batch are being donated to the Michael Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling (MJF). The MJF will fund scholarship awards to predominantly people of color in the brewing and distilling industries or who wish to join those industries. $20 per 4 pack.

Daydreamless Imperial IPA (8%) No need to daydream, this beer is a reality. With big ripe notes of lychee, blueberry and tropical punch/fruity pebbles from the combo of Citra, Cashmere, Mosaic and Amarillo. $18 per 4 pack.