Aslin Beer Co. (2020)

BTW Grovestand very good, MOO not very good.

 

I had a small draft pour of You Call That A Knife at Churchkey yesterday. It tasted fine to me. I know it’s one beer at one place, but based on that pour I wouldn’t avoid Aslin. If I didn’t have a case of VT beer coming my way tomorrow, I would have stopped in Alexandria today on my way home for some cans.

 

Anyone heard an update on Herndon taproom? Assuming opening date is 2025.

 

2025 sounds about right based on the progress over the past couple years. I don't know why they bother, they seem to hate the town of Herndon and all their neighbors.

 

Glad to hear things may be trending in the right direction, but "I wouldn't avoid Aslin" isn't exactly the most ringing endorsement. Fingers crossed they get back to producing IPAs that are worth going out of your way for.

 

I was watching a review (posted a month ago) of the most recent batch of Bale on YouTube and noticed the following comment. I know Richard left as well as the guy who was in change of the barrel aged stuff but it sounds like maybe there are others that left. Anyone know what caused the 'mass exodus'? Certainly sheds light on the sub par offerings Aslin has been putting out.

"It could be because Aslin hasnt a had brewer with any substantial brewing experience since like June. All their previous brewers and personnel are not there anymore"

 

Per their IG, Aslin bought a new device for measuring beer ABVs. I wonder how far the numbers for their stouts will fall.

 

They won’t all be the same ABV anymore, pretty sure about that.

 

Where did the ones who left go?

 

One went to Ocelot. I haven’t been in a while, so not sure if he is still there. This was sometime last summer.

 

The recent Imperial Stout came in at 9.6%, these are usually labeled as 15%.

 

Why no benefit of the doubt to the brewery. Richard was only 1/3 of the barrel program. Kai and Andrew were heavily involved. Has anyone asked why he is gone? Could it have been warranted? Same goes for the other employees. One left to start his own brewery and was there for a few months. What impact could he have realistically have had. Lots of jumping to conclusions. I do not expect the brewery to respond why someone left or was fired either.

 

The label they filed for VA ABC approval described it as 15%, too. Something tells me ABVs around 10% are about to be more of the norm rather than the exception with Aslin's imperial stouts.

 

Have you had any of their beers in the last 6 months? Or looked at the ratings/reviews on recent beers?

 

I have. Lagers have been on point. All others have been up and down, which is expected for installing a new system. BA beers and mixed ferm have been on point. This point of view seems consistent with untappd and BA. Which also shows that loss of a few people have little to no affect.

 

That's good news. I'd rather they be 10%, not 15% A pint of 15% beer is too much alcohol for me too handle, and too many calories.

 

‘All others’ would be like 80%+ of their beers and they’ve had the new system for like 7-8 months, should be dialed in by now.

 

I agree they should be dialed in. I would argue that since Bringing Sexy Back came out two weeks ago they have been dialed in from an IPA front. I think this month has proven they are moving in the right direction.

 

I hope you are right. I’ve been a fan since day one. Back in the Herndon days
I used to drive an hour each way every Saturday morning for two crowlers. I haven’t had an IPA from them since the last Stellar release. I think it was late September or early December. Bought cans and poured em. When that beer is on it is my favorite IPAs of all time.

 

$40 bottle this weekend. 1/pp