Breweries that have NOT lost their way.

Ah I gotcha, agreed.

Again regarding Sierra Nevada, I'm also not suggesting they keep beers like Kellerweis, Nooner, Stout...etc. in their portfolio. They dropped them due to slowing sales.

They're in a very tough spot due to their size. I also can't think of a brewery their size that has NOT "lost their way" for lack of a better term (not that there's many that are their size).

 

Personally I'd have someone go from Blue Moon to Allagash White.

 

Rip Current. Easily one of the most comprehensive taplists. Lots of classic and also new styles, never "only IPAs" type of place, reliable and consistent.

 

Which is unfortunate. My parents stopped at Mills River on a road trip and I had them grab me a six pack of Stout, Porter, Kellerweis and Gothic Pils... As you know, you can't really get any of those anymore, it's all IPA's. Porter is just a beautiful beer, it blows my mind that markets can't support that anymore. Same with Kellerweis.

I understand why they don't offer them in full distro anymore, but it just sucks what the beer market has become in my opinion. Milkshakes, hazies and adjunct stouts. It sucks for those who appreciate the non-trendy styles... Especially well made ones, such as these.

 

Are you of the opinion that Yuengling and Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams) have "lost their way"?

Cheers!

 

I don't know enough about Yuengling historically to comment on them. They also just hit the Boston area in recent years.

Sam Adams I would say yes. The shining example there being that Jim Koch was vehemently opposed to IPAs and then he did a complete "180" and went all in on the style.

 

I've seen the tides turning in my area. Many local breweries are now branching out to other styles, specifically lagers.

The last couple of weeks I've stocked up on a local Doppelbock, a couple of Pilsners, a Kolsch, and a Helles. Only one of those beers was something that's been brewed before, the rest were all new offerings from local breweries.

 

Agreed. But exactly as you point out - I think the trend is only in the smaller/local space. If you position yourself as a hyper-local lager-focused brewery (as a counterpoint to the myriad hyper-local IPA/pastry-focused breweries), then you can achieve success (I'm thinking of the likes of Suarez in my neck of the woods). But for the larger national breweries I think it's a much tougher proposition not to find yourself on the haze train. They're sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place.

 

Evil Twin
Westbrook

 

Sam Adams certainly does produce IPAs now (e.g., Rebel IPA, NEIPA). I wonder how much they sell of these beers vs. Boston Lager or even their seasonal of Oktoberfest. Do you know?

Cheers!

 

No clue.

 

We don't have that luxury in CO, Allagash dosen't make it to these parts. Nothing has name cache in CO like new Belgium for the neophyte beer drinker. Now that funkwerks is making white again I would suggest that above any other witbier that i have had.

 

You know, I came here to say Sierra Nevada... But I think you're right, you can make a stronger case for Allagash. Always about the core lineup. Identity is always the same. Quality is always top notch.

You may be right about SN Celebration & Summerfest - but part of the reason I love those beers so much is they are ephemeral and tied to those seasons (and usually fresh!).

 

I considered your restriction but I HAVE to enter this brewery even though they are only 8 years old. But a brewery who hasn't lost their way in our area is definitely El Segundo Brewing Co. Quality has only gotten better since they opened, their integrity as a brewery is top notch and they consistently check each of their accounts and remove expiry and ensure quality beer is on all shelves. Some of the best examples of west coast brews can be found there.

 

Well put. Huge SN fanboy but finding myself resigned to the Octoberfest, Celebration, Bigfoot and SNPA with most of my interest for them at the brewery with the one offs. I hope they can find their way back. Tough situation these large national craft brewers find themselves in.

 

Olde Hickory

 

I third Central Waters. They have a great year-round and rotational lineup. I love their BA beers, and while they innovate, they don't over-extend themselves. I really need to get to their taproom, particularly since I'm originally from Wisconsin.

 

I believe it was the Beastie Boys that said "Be true to yourself and you will never fall..." A lot of breweries, including some of my favorites have made several missteps... But the one brewery that I find to be consistent and predictable in the best of ways is Sierra Nevada...

 

Sierra Nevada
Bell's
Great Lakes
Fat Head's
Founder's
Dogfish Head
New Glarus