Columbus IPA back on top.

Is the beer out on store shelves now?

 

I just saw the new label ones at the store yesterday.

If the recipe changed, hate how they keep the same name. Peeve of mine! If the recipe is different, the beer is different.

 

Most of the time I would agree with you (Fat Heads Trail Head for instance). However, IPA is their flagship and best seller; I think changing the name might cause confusion.

 

They change the hops in Head Hunter all the time. Nothing drastic, but they do tinker a lot.

Columbus IPA is solid and I will give the new labeled one a shot.

 

I don't think that is a good enough reason, it doesn't make it "right". Yes, it is a common practice among many breweries to change recipes and not disclose it, but I don't particularly agree with it.

At least Stone did the right thing and added "2.0" to the end of the Ruination when changed. That is how it SHOULD be, or even like Six Point or Southern Tier recently - They are very open/vocal about the changes. So when I buy the beer, I typically know there have been changes made and they are not trying to “hide” anything behind the name of the beer. It’s just annoying when you buy a beer (like Trail Head, which recently has been meh) and it doesn’t taste anything like it did before. If it’s not the same, give it a different name. It’s one thing to tweak hop levels for improving aroma/bittering, but not changing them.

The final flavor of all beer is HEAVILY influenced by the few ingredients inside of it, we all know this. Change a hop from Mosaic to Columbus, and the beer won’t taste similar at all. Swap out Munich malt for Pilsner malt, same thing. They become totally different beers. I just don’t agree with changing recipes permanently (I know in some cases changes are made to substitute like hops in shortages and such) and keeping the same name. It just becomes annoying as a consumer to have a product you enjoy change flavors all the time.

 

^ True, I do think Columbus Brewing lucked out with their simple beer name - "IPA" gives them the freedom to do anything really as long as it stays true to the style.

 

FWIW, I think this batch of Trail Head is outstanding. Picked up some yesterday at the brewery that was canned on Saturday.

 

Not sure what I think... As you know, I am a huge TH fan... Was my go-to all last year for the most part. When I had it on draft at the brewery a few weeks ago it just tasted off to me. Not the TH I know/love haha. Then I had it on draft last week and it was better, but still not to the level that I remember. Perhaps it's just me though.

I need to pick up some cans and try those out. Of course, driving right past today but they are not open. Bummer. Have not been getting to the brewery as much anymore. Maybe I will drive out Tues to grab some cans.

 

I didn't like it on draft the last few months, either. It was kinda fruity. The cans taste great to me though.

 

We tinker all of the time, and most would never know it. Columbus IPA used to be all Simcoe (minus bittering). Then it was SImcoe/Amarillo. Then we blended in a few more hops. We change and adjust malts to dial in flavors we want. In our new brewery and with our new equipment, we essentially had to start over. New dry hop blends and processes all of the time. It's all about the end result. We're going to make the decisions we feel leave us with the best beer. Im pretty sure, and I certainly hope, that most all breweries constantly assess their beers and how they're getting there.

Don't even get me started on Bodhi. And no we're not gonna make it milkshake cloudy again. Don't even ask.

 

Cue the Hoof Hearted nut hugger tears and angry shouts.

 

Well haven't had the new bottles, but hopefully it is quite tasty. Can't wait for some bodhi though! Ohio is making some great beer and I love being only an hour from it.

 

Because hop and grain harvests can vary drastically from year to year, It's impossible for a brewer to make the same flavor and aroma in a 2016 beer compared to one made in 2015. Good breweries constantly make adjustments, I trust what @tcorder219 makes.

 

Trying to make a beer better (or consistently good)...the nerve of some people!

 

I've been saying this for weeks! CBC IPA is better than ever, pretty much the only IPA I ever buy now.

 

the new bottles of Columbus IPA are the best version of the beer I've ever had

 

Robble robble robble pitchforks!!!!11!1!

I'm going to pick some up on the way to my nephew's graduation next weekend.

 

They need to learn a lesson from Treehouse and make a slightly different beer with a new name so you can have lots of beers on the top beers list. Makes you look more awesome.