Classic craft beer?

I don't think of it that way. How could someone quantify which year was "best" or "worst" for craft beer? I've just noticed a general decline in the scene, i.e., canned hazy IPA's and pastry stouts are fucking everything up.

 

We're making cider and kombucha now. I'm angling back towards making beer again. It is a fine goal that I relish.

 

My memory clings to the two Falstaffs that Jeff Ensminger and I had on the balcony outside of his bedroom. We were 15 and that tasted like beer! I can taste it still.

 

Flying from Albany to Tampa/St. Pete in a couple of hours to visit my daughter. She texted me that she has a sixer of JA waiting in her fridge for me. Plus, we plan to visit the Cigar City brewery !

 

Falstaff was after all "America's premium quality beer" according to Dizzy Dean.

 

Dizzy who?? Some Blonde?

 

Here! Here! Reminds me of the flavored vodkas. Or, grape duck from the 70s. If I want passion fruit in a drink, I will make a mixed drink. When I want beer, I want to taste the hops and malt for comparison.

 

I'm noticing in many stores that there is so much variety, that the shelves are filled with shit that doesn't sell...

 

Had a pint on cask today and it was perfect. And a pint of St Austell Tribute, equally so. These are old friends but I chose them from a selection including many other "new wave" beers.Quite franky I think that classic beers are classic because the brewers got things right and brewed something that people wanted.Lots of offerings these days are intended just to be different, We went through all of this in the past and malt, hops and yeast turned out to be the winner.

 

Small pub by me used to have it on tap all the time and I enjoyed it. But probably not quite as good as the versions you have had, My wife and i must get over to your side of the pond to try real English styles.