Equilibrium (2021)

My thoughts on EQ is this:

Screw paying $30+ for a 4-pack of DIPA that really isn't all that great or at the very least not great enough to justify those retail prices, especially with so much great competition. I know the stores are responsible for the mark ups but I also know EQ knows about this and I find it strange that every store Ive been to that has their beer are marked up in a similar fashion. I am personally done with EQ after paying $25 bucks for a 4 pack of a 4.8% Pale and have it just taste okay. Or paying $28 for a 4-pack of a three week old fractal that had already stated to colligate with the yeast and hop matter forming tons of floaties and particulates despite being stored cold and under a month old.

 

This...

Equilibrium used to be among my favorites years ago (the original dhops were incredible) but the ipas are just mediocre to bad these days. From my last 5 purchases, I would buy at least 4 different four packs and each time at least 1-2 of the entire four pack was oxidized and undrinkable. Serious QC issues since they've moved to the new facility and it's been so long that it feels like they don't care. It's also personal taste but most of the stouts are approaching OH territory in terms of throwing as much junk as possible in there (I don't mean this in a positive way if not obvious).

 

I totally agree with you man and it's a damn shame. I too was a huge fan of EQ back in the day. I can't believe what has become of them today. I visited the brewery for the first time 4 years ago with my buddy and we both got our first cans of MC^2.

Had a great time and the beer was awesome back then. Now I guess its just a good memory......

 

Yeah it's really too bad. I never was able to try mc2 back in the day which was too bad. I think dhop5 was one of my first beers from there and gosh it was so worth the trip and maxing out.

 

Their cans sit around for weeks, if not months around here (I’m shocked there’s still a trade market for them.) I was never a fan of theirs before I had easy access to them, and I’m certainly not going to become one now with the hyper-inflated prices for out of date beer.

 

Whatever they did 1.5 ago to their beers, the quality and taste took a cliff dive. Out of 8-10 (mostly single beers) that i tried (last year) only 2 were good. I see them all over now just sitting there with atrocious prices.

Even the collabs are mediocre. I don't get it, they used to make quality stuff

 

Expense is what deters me from getting EQ more often, but as @DrederickTatum said, their stuff tends to stick around at distro. Prior to my LBS opening for in store shopping again, I could not check dates if I wanted EQ (I guess I could have been a pain and asked). The only EQ I bought were Austin and the Keeping Together collab. Austin was pretty damn good.

 

EQ's stouts are great if you're into pastries. The BA stuff is phenomenal if you can make it last the Eventbrite gatekeeper.

I haven't touched their hops in months and probably never will again.

They've recently been expanding their wild ale program and based off of their stuff they put out when they first opened (TABA and Casey) I have high hopes.

 

Was excited to see their beer show up in Colorado recently. I was able to try a couple DIPAs, both about 5 weeks old, and was very disappointed. They both were so oxidized it tasted like they were a year old. I don’t normally pour $5 cans down the drain, but these were unbearable.

Anyone have a different experience within their newly expanded distro?

 

If you've followed this thread then it wouldn't be a surprise. QC issues for basically all ipas over the past year since the new facility. They're off my list for the time being which is a shame.

 

Be glad it only cost you $5 a can! Around here a 4pk of an EQ DIPA runs $28-$32.

 

Question about the brewery venue/taproom location. On google maps it pulls up 2 places basically side-by-side - Henry street and south street. Can someone give me the breakdown. Is there basically two taprooms? The old smaller one and the brewery big one? Also the bonfire food program is available out of the new/big space? I will be in the area with family and kids so I’m assuming that’s where I wanna be. And where would I grab cans to go?

 

Also, how is astrophysics? Anyone tried? It’s all galaxy, so I’m skeptical. But they did say they use their hand selected galaxy. I didn’t know selection for galaxy was a thing

 

Their only taproom is on South street. All food, beer, and to go sales are on South Street. That's the one that you want.

The original location is on Henry street and does not have a taproom. There is a restaurant there called Tapped, but they are not affiliated with the brewery.

I haven't touched any of their hoppy beers in over a year, but they tend to run sweeter and more melon forward than OH. I suggest you try before you buy. Their south street pils is quite good and can definitely endorse that tho.

 

Pictures of the pils pours from the tapeoom look sick. Somewhat of a slow-pour fluffy whipped cream head on there.

as for hops I am not melon averse. I do prefer drier though. I’d like to try that single hop fractals. I have liked photon in the past.

 

Pic from last time I was there. It's good stuff.

Post up how their hops are if you go. I'm curious to see if anything has changed with them.

 

It sounds like most of the comments in this thread are about EQ shelfies, which I am surprised people buy unfiltered, unpasteurized hops that sit on the shelf, but that is for another discussion...

I have been to EQ a few times in recent months and I think their hops game is still really strong. I only had some on draft, but it was pretty close to when they had their releases at Henry St. Stouts were alright, but I am not a huge pastry fan.

The food, however, is one of the best barbeque I have had anywhere in the area. It is reason enough to stop by.

 

I had Astrophysics in early August. I thought it was well done for a Galaxy beer but definitely got some of that peanut shell character you get from Galaxy.

 

Nice. Consensus seems like it’s generally good and above average for current galaxy. I’ll try draft next week when I’m there