CCB: The future of Tocobaga Red Ale

No problem! I think a lot of people will WTF on a red ale at that price and configuration.

Citra hops are super competitive to acquire in commercial quantities, usually requiring a multi-year contract.

Hopefully that subsides in the future, but with the crazy growth, I doubt it will.

At least until the next super aroma hop shows up and gets popular; but I would imagine Citra will always be popular. They just to license more acreage, which sounds a lot easier than it actually is.

 

Cigar City has become rediculous. They think they're much better than they actually are. Who's dropping $10+ for a 4 pack of Red Ale?!?!

 

I'd do it in a minute if they shipped it to Northern VA. as the previous poster said, this is a DAMN good beer. Probably the best red ale I've had.

 

I am. That's who.

Tocobaga rules.

 

Don't get caught up in the hype.

 

Getting caught up in the hype = someone liking a beer you don't like

 

This is actually one of the best beers Cigar City produces. I buy it by the case when it comes around.

 

Sorry not sorry, but you sound like an idiot. This is not a "hyped" beer at all, unless we're just throwing that term around at every beer people like now. It's simply a terrific red ale, of which there aren't many, priced in line with hundreds of other IPAs, which are routinely priced at $10 a four pack. I dislike price increases as much as the next guy, but your outrage is misplaced in this instance and frankly comes across as weird.

 

For the love of God, don't give them any ideas.

 

I for one will be purchasing. Making my annual pilgrimage to FL the end of the month to hang out with my dad and this will be on my short list to purchase, drink, and ship back to AZ to share with my beer bro's. Just glad they are continuing production and are being open about why they are making the change. Cheers CCB.

 

Outraged?! Who.. Me? Not even close. I'm soooo sorry my opinion of their mediocre red ale doesn't match yours. What was I thinking. Haha.

 

Great beer. Started an obsession with hoppy red/amber ales for me that I have yet to tire of. Really like the transparency and choice of 4 pack over bomber. Consumers have to understand that profit margins for brewers are low, and profit margins on package beer are even lower. Ballast Points standard pricing of their hoppy beer is more out of line than this. Will continue to buy this beer any time I get the chance and will continue to support the hell out of CCB. Cheers.

 

Citra hops also have a low yield, lbs/acre, so that doesn't help, but other celebrity hops have low yields. In the Yakima Valley first years hops can produce about 80% of the mature hop production. It is a balancing act of supply and demand. Contracts allow the growers to asses demand and plant to meet demand.

Citra's acreage acreage has grown like crazy since its release. It is number 4 in acres planted for the aroma hops (Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe, Citra) and had just under 3000 acres planted in 2015.

At the Homebrew level Citra hops are expensive, but there are more expensive hops on the market. Here is a link to a Homebrew shop I buy occasionally from. These prices are high per pound, a brewery with a contract would pay a fraction of these prices.
https://bellsbeer.com/store/categor...s/Pellet-Hops/1-lb-Bags/?sort=featured&page=1

 

CCB brought some beers to CO (not normally distributed here) for GABF and I was fortunate enough to get a few of these and Jai Ali. I would have NO problem paying $10 fir a 4 pack and I'm not a huge fan of hoppy beers.

 

Alternatively, drink Troegs Nugget Nectar, which is also a hoppy double red ale and a better price.

 

I don't get to pick it up all that often. I will continue to pick it up when I have the chance.
I am not happy about a 50% price increase but I will still buy it.

 

Gosh, darn! I couldn't find any Troegs at my local stores.

 

I'm not sure if that's sarcastic, but I'll assume it's not... If Great Lakes Brewing distributes to FL their Nosferatu might also fit the bill of a hoppy double red. It's a seasonal release, but now (fall) is the season to get it.

 

It looks like CCB is attempting to make this a mainstay. NN is a seasonal release, and you likely get it a bit cheaper than the rest of us. I really enjoy both.