Did Hop Drop n Roll Change?

Chemically, this shouldn't happen.

 

Bestway has a fresh canning on the floor now, the first since August. I just can't throw $12 at this one. It's not a hop or malt problem as far as I can taste. I've never ever had a "bad" IPA, I've had old stock, malt forward , but the last HDR was the first BAD ipa I've ever had. I poured it out kinda bad, undrinkable.

 

What do you mean? A beer shouldn't oxidize within a few weeks? I beg to differ.

 

Tried a can from a 12/29 batch tonight. Much better than the prior canning (I believe it was 12/14?) which, to me, had some odd lemon-like taste. Seemingly, NoDa has come to realize that they need to get HD&R back to some very close semblance of its distant self.

 

It shouldn't. Not unless it is exposed to more air, which shouldn't be possible in the cans. Other than the permeation through the can walls (which is next to nothing), the only oxygen in there should be the oxygen introduced before and during canning. By the time it leaves the brewery, all oxygen in there should be solubilized. Now, there are other chemical reactions than can be occurring in there after a couple weeks. It is really hard to tell without a chemical analysis, which I hope is something NoDa has considered.

 

I think that's exactly the problem. Large amounts of oxygen is being introduced at some point before the beer is packaged. They started having issues late in 2014 when they started centrifuging the beer prior to packaging. I can only assume that is the culprit.

 

Just cracked open a 12/29 can, and I am happy to report its pretty tasty, and free of any of the "buttery" issues I encountered back in late 2014/early 2015.

 

I am waiting for the new brewery batches to be canned with their own new canning line before I trust it again. And that may take a batch or two to really dial in (I know they've been testing batches at the new facility and I believe kegging Jam Session). Not sure on Hop Drop. I think the new system gives them more control and the canning line should allow less oxygen than the mobile unit.

 

Are they having issues with the new brewery? It's been online for a few months now, I would imagine they're brewing all the core beers there at this point.

 

They are brewing and canning at N tryon. Hop Drop started canning there on 11/23.

 

I went to the new tap room on Saturday for a birthday get together and decided to try a Hop Drop at the source. Typically when I am there I usually try seasonal's as Hop Drop is widely available throughout the city. Ugh. It was bad. Like real bad. It tasted worse than some of the old Sam Adams IPA I have in the fridge left over from a party. It tasted like an old malty mess with no nose, just bitter. This is first time ever that I had it off on draft. It even left a bad taste in my mouth the whole ride home and had to wash it away with some canned 1 day old Birdsong Honey Pie (which was worlds better).

The Par 4 IPA tasted as good as ever as did the other two beers I had at the brewery were equally good. But Hop Drop, what have they done with you?!?

PS - Why aren't they canning Par 4 IPA? That is a perfect session pool/tailgating beer. They should rename it "Keep Pounding IPA" after the Panthers win the super bowl and release it in cans immediately next Monday!

 

So I will bump this up. I had a hop drop on draft in charlotte last month. Sadly it has changed very much. It is very one note and leaves an off putting after taste. IMO. I was left half of the pint on the table sadly.. I miss the original Hop Drop.

 

I have tried it again a few times recently and they appear to have worked out the issues with off flavors. That doesn't mean it has returned to its former glory, but at least it doesn't taste like butter or cardboard anymore. To me it's a drinkable (albeit overly bitter) IPA. I don't seek it out anymore but don't mind ordering the occasional pint or buying the occasional 4 pack. My new go to canned Charlotte IPA is 3C.

 

They are going to be canning Par 4, FYI. Pretty soon actually...

 

Place where I work had it on draft recently and I agree, very overly bitter. Almost astringently so. It hurts my soul when people are like "All right, you've got Hop Drop on! I've never had it before!" *sigh*

 

Sorry to jack this thread. I am heading to Charlotte for a wedding this weekend. Is NoDA worth checking out? Is there any where in Charlotte to score Wicked Weed bottles? I'll be bringing down a couple 4-packs of Heady and Sip of Sunshine if there's anyone who hasn't tried and wanted to set up an IP. Hoping for Sunshine and warm weather, which we haven't had in Vermont at all this spring.

 

Salud in NoDa. They always have a pretty good assortment of WW stuff whenever I stopped in there. Jason (the owner) is good people, super nice guy and always helpful. They usually have a decent taplist as well and I belive will do crowler fills of everything on tap.
http://www.saludbeershop.com/beer-list/

Another good one is Good Bottle Company. It's in close proximity to Sycamore, Lenny Boy, Wooden Robot, 3C, etc, basically most Southend CLT breweries are a lightrail ride away.
http://www.goodbottleco.com/

 

Absolutely it's worth checking out. I suggest the North Tryon location if the weather is nice (much nicer outside area, plus more handles).

 

That's perfect man. Thanks for the info. I will def check them out on Sunday.

 

Check with Michael at Brawley's on Park Rd. He will fix you up nicely.