Biggest difference I’ve noticed is fewer barrel aged beers, fewer limited releases, and those that happen aren’t as hyped, so they are easier to get. But I’m kind of over that anyway. Prices of course are much higher. I feel like I can still get any style of beer I’m in the mood for though, and quality is still there if you know where to look. I think what I really miss are the real good old days—the early ‘90s when microbrews were still relatively new and there were just a few options, but it felt special and exciting to be drinking anything that wasn’t mass-produced pale yellow swill.
Somewhat. Life evolves. Yes, there was the newness and excitement of so many new breweries, attending SN Hop and FW Festivals. Life is good. I'm in Hawaii for a month and got beers from Inu, Hana Kona, and Maui. I do miss the special releases the most.
I've got a coupla those pics. Appear to be from '07 and '09. Gotta wonder about that sixpack of Victory Hop Wallop on the bottom shelf. Is it the same one? I do recall that, as a fan of HopDevil and Prima Pils, HW disappointed me (had the cask version at the brewery and hated it even more) and I started losing my respect for Victory, in part also because of the graphics/back story. WTF? I imagine there are other dupes. The era of "too much !@#$ beer".
I spy an old pikeland can…and I miss the prima that is in those bottles. I’ve been drinking a lot of Sunshine pils this summer, speaking of PA pils. On the topic of Victory, did you see the glimmer of hope? New headwater cans, hopefully the recipe is not updated, but sadly I wouldn’t be surprised, maybe we’ll find out in the next few months.
Yeah, was around the time Pikeland Pils was a house beer. That's why there's only 1 can - drank the other 11. Came in those corrugated 12 pack boxes. Still have a bunch of those boxes, housing magazines and other stuff. Once they left Hunterdon (now also gone, of course), their NJ distribution sucked. I've seen it and other SF beers around... but NEVER with a good date and usually way past the brewery's own best by.
It is clearly indicated on the label that this is a New & Improved(?) beer: Note the verbiage: "A Classic Revived" "...a clean, crisp Pale Ale" Reads like a 'modernized' Pale Ale to me. Cheers!
Brewers will alter their lineups if some products don's sell. They don't need an accountant tp\o figure that out. Some (maybe most) craft brewers would like to churn out a few steady sellers in traditional styles. They could avoid hazies, barrel-aging, flavors and other beer-of-the-week brewing, dizzying packaging complications including endless paperwork for the TTB and/or the state, searches for far flung distribution. These one-offs can't be perfected by test brews. Essentially all of them have to go out into the market regardless.
Don't give up hope. Stone has updated its IPA (noted on the label) without serious damage. I've bought some beers using earlier branding that were a completely different style.
Don't know if that bottle is from it, but I once bought a case of it. (A case of one of Falstaff's last vintages of Ballantine India Pale Ale underneath > for display purposed only. It holds glassware, some of which one can see in the photo.) Maybe one of the beers where I decided, "You know, maybe too much wood isn't a good idea."
The one place by me that usually has Sly Fox in stock, and most of the time with decent to good dates, is surprisingly total wine @jesskidden. Unfortunately it’s a little too far for regular trips but I always check if I happen to be close by.
My exact feelings and approach, and experience as well. Glad to know I'm not alone. (Though I will add I do love home-brewing. A cathartic experience of sorts for me... )
I do reminisce a bit about the good old days of lining up at the local brewery for new limited releases and having to be at the store on the delivery day of certain exclusive beers, but I find myself pretty satisfied these days as a beer drinker in my area, not even necessarily because of the style selection but because of my personalized drinking experience and enjoyment of more basic beers. Sometimes I just want a good Pilsner or lager, I know I can rely on any Belgian and German imports or Czech and British style beers and I know what dark beers are probably good. I have limitless choices for stores and bars to go to around the greater Boston area. I do see too many IPAs getting old in stores and too many hoppy draft beers, not a lot of style selection etc in places too, but at least there is always something I can count on with my open palate and enjoyment of any style of beer at certain times. Some smaller places have been closing too, but access to decent beer is probably increasing overall here.
Hop Stoopid, the picnic table shares at Captain Lawrence, Tommy Keegan, and Thai Sticks all are greatly missed.
I remember not caring much for Hop Wallop either, it was flabby / sweet side. The real winner is the Sam Adam’s Hallertau Pils next to the Hop Wallop, that was a great beer. Your fridge looks like an East Coast version of my fridge, lots of crossover.
I miss it all. The fests with friends, going to weird bars just to try something on tap because rando brewery has a tap takeover with a whale, traveling and trying new breweries, my go to breweries where staff would take care of the regulars, pre-sell out breweries, discovering new styles, unique bottle shops finds, etc. Great memories, however if I had the opportunity to tell my younger self to put that beer money into bitcoin circa 2010 instead, I’d be a billionaire sitting on a yacht right now.
