Deadspin: "18 Overrated Beers"

High Life is not head and shoulders better. You are correct. But it is marginally better than many AALs, especially PBR and Schlitz, IMO. But that's thing. The differences between AALs are slight, IMO, and preference for one over another is driven more by experience and familiarity than quality. Again, IMO.

Which brings me to my point: How can beers not highly rated in the first place be considered overrated?

 

He actually said Heady Topper and the other IIPAs that people stand in line for. In my mind that induces Double Sunshine, Treehouse Julius, Hill Farmstead etc. It's not that those beers are "overrated", but rather that many nearly as good IIPAs can be had without the hassle and expense. Ironically, HT is actually the easiest to get of all of them. I never wait in line, and at $14 a four pack of 16s it isn't expensive either (less than Dirt Wolf by volume).

Every time I hear about a 75 minute to 2 hour plus line for a growler fill at HF or Treehouse, or Lawson's bottles on market day, I think: "There is no IPA on earth that is so much better than Lagunitas Sucks that it would be worth that."

 

I can't really speak for the author, but I believe he means via word of mouth. Before Yuengling started distributing to Ohio, people there would cream their jeans over it. People who drove to Pittsburgh or wherever in PA would bring back cases of the stuff and be heroes to their friends. Over a lager that's just a teeny bit more flavorful than the standard AALs. Same could be said for Fat Tire. There are still many people who say it's great, but in reality it's just an OK beer.

 

I don't know about that, that's one of the first beers I'd have put on the list if I was writing that piece. That beer gets some kind of otherworldly rep and personally I don't think it's all that good. I love Bell's, but I think that one is a consistent miss for them.

 

And don't YOU tar all of US with that brush! As I said earlier, I have a bit of a soft spot for it having grown up with it, but at the end of the day, in comparison to other beers, it's pretty mediocre to me.

 

Fun read, but he can be assured that his opinion won't change a thing about my choices and tastes.

 

So......waiting in line for something makes it overrated. Now I wouldn't wait in line to buy beer either, but just waiting doesn't make it overrated, IMHO. If waiting in line does make things overrated, my life is overrated.

 

I agree that Old Rasputin is overrated. Let's not confuse value with quality. Old Rasputin is a very good beer but is nowhere near the top tier of the style.

 

"Shiner is reputed to make some very good beers"

ROFL

 

Yep - waited for 30 min. once for KBS (excellent, but not worth the hype - I like FBS better), and 1 hr. for the chance to get Zombie Dust (which they then sold out on before I got to the front of the line), and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to wait in line for beer again soon. Too much good stuff easily available. I leave whale hunting to others - enjoy!

 

Maybe the author's trying to lower demand for some on the list haha.

 

Well technically it's the Spoetzl Brewery, kinda like Sam Adams is Boston Beer Co. The only other beers I've had was the Black Lager (decent), and the Wild Hare Pale Ale (no better than the Bock).

Since their highest ranked beer on BA has a 3.6 average, that statement is a bit of a stretch.

 

But he got pretty sarcastic without even having the beer. Opinion is one thing, but base it in some experience.

 

Fair point, but his sarcasm was based on the fanboys more than the beer, is how I read it at least.

 

Does anyone have to stand in line all day to get Heady these days??

 

Right, I mean most people who come from out of state to get HT are doing at least a six hour round trip for a few cases of a DIPA. I personally don't think HT is anything special (just not a fan of the hop profile) but even if I loved it, I would never have driven a 14 hour road trip from Philly (where I used to live) for it, because that's just crazy to me. Especially considering the fact that you're doing yourself a disservice by not drinking it within the course of a few weeks.

Edit: and yes I do understand that while in VT one can pick up some other beers and visit places like Hill Farmstead which would make it more worth it. But still...hell, I'd rather have a Sculpin than and HT and I can get that anywhere around the Bay Area.

 

The writer is a fucking idiot!!

 

You guys know what overrated means right?

My only gripe with the list is that DL wasn't on it.