Covid Ruining Some Really Good Beers?

Nothing comes to mind for me. Curious what examples people are thinking of...?

I think a lot of beers were sitting on the shelves pre-COVID. If anything, COVID has changed the production cycle of some breweries. A local brewery mentioned he has had to change what he brews since it's to-go format only. People order more session-able beer for on-site, but spring for heavier, more flavor-rich beers to-go. But this hasn't really put any beers in a bad light, at least, none that I've noticed.

 

And by "weakest point" you mean "a point when they are easier to acquire?"

 

Hmmm... I’m not going to tentatively agree with @zid, but approach it from a different angle...

I did enjoy traveling for beer. Hitting a not-to-me-but-for-others local brewery was an experience. And when I last did it, there were “hyped” offerings (often NE IPAs) that the brewery was known for. What I learned was, at that point, we mostly all have one-plus[times?] that many breweries near us. Were NJ/PA/OH/MI’s locals better than my locals?

Short general answer that you could see coming: No.

So, those locals where I had the enjoyment of the experience of visiting (on vacation, mostly) is lost. That just leaves the beer.

Sure, it’s likely less fresh (I’ve seen the gambit on this, though, when the info was available), but I think it could also be that people are realizing there’s a more even playing field than they think.

Essentially I’m describing the concept of local hype, which has been discussed here often enough. I think it might apply here,no?

 

Well, given the events of the last year, a lot of breweries who previously had little or no packaging or distro, had to switch over to keep income flowing. Not only are the beers getting out, they're getting farther out. We're seeing beers that we've only heard about before. When beers get beyond their home area, they don't have the home field advantage anymore, and beers get looked at with a different set of eyes.

 

No FOMO means previously hyped beers are now NOGO. Blame COVID for a lot of dastardly cruel shit but “ruining” beers ain’t one of em.

 

Well that was more succinctly put than my version. No surprise given our relative BA personalities

 

I think there is something to be said for rarity, or FOMO as stated above.

I don’t think the current situation ruined any beers. I think it ruined or accelerated the decline of the rarity hype business model that so many breweries relied on.

 

No, not that I can see. Why a producer wouldn't turn to the optimal profit production model when the bottom drops put is beyond me, As long as resources held up I would put that as my target. If your BullGod Beer keeps afloat, F your flasgship beer

 

Why? Naming names can only make your case stronger.

 

I agree. I kind of need to know what he’s talking about so I can make a fair judgement.

 

X3. I really don't know what the OP is referring to.

 

I think your right here. In NC we get some Surly products, some Jack Abby, Grimm. In NC, Lawson and Alchemist beers get drops, Toppling Goliath. Things I thought I’d never see, fresh stuff too, not in volume, but enough that you can find it. Instead of stuffing local shelves and creating shelf turds they moved them into completely new areas to keep them fresh. It makes too much sense, but you do what’s financially best under the circumstances.

 

I haven't noticed any change in the beer itself, just changes in the taproom/bar experience. I dislike the switch to crowlers and hope refilling growlers comes back soon.

 

Does the greater Asheville area receive these drops from Surly, JA, Grimm, Lawsons & Alchemist? Haven't had anything from them since pre-Covid living here on the other side of the Smokies in TN. We have a vacation cabin booked for June so I'd love to grab some of those beers to enjoy while there.

 

I need to amend my post a bit, I meant that PA gets Lawson’s and Alchemist drops not NC.

 

I don’t know how far Jack Abby, Grimm, or Furious goes. Not sure who the distro guys are. But call Peabodies in Boone ask fir Chris, if they don’t have it it’s not gettable, and they ship beer.

 

Thanks for the tip. Will Do!!