Did Hop Drop n Roll Change?

I'm holding my last can canned on the 7th. This beer can start out very aggressive and be a bit wild when first packaged. I've paced these last 2 4-packs and like this beer better at an ancient 2+ weeks old! I've always found a very nice malt component to this beer that I could never term "buttery". While great and exuberant when first canned, a few weeks does wonders. I'll let you know about that last can. I know more is on the horizon.

 

I was at NoDa yesterday and brought a few 4 packs back to FL canned on 10/13...drinking my first one now...first sip I thought I detected a slight burnt taste...but that was after a few other IPAs...let it sit for 10 minutes and its as good as ever, with maybe a tad more maltiness than I remember. Aroma is on point so I think my palate needed a few minutes to recuperate.

Yeah, nothing off about this batch...so good.

 

3 week old HDR is the prime for drinking it, @HopDropTheElder and @wcu80 would agree I believe, the beer hits its prime at that age.

Haven't had any that burned or tasted funky, nectar of the gods in a can imo.

 

I definitely get a buttery/toasted malt taste from the recent batches. Almost a cooked in butter/pie crust taste. I like it though and I think it's a great beer. I had a batch that was a week old and I could still taste it with the hops. That being said I don't think it's a 100 beer but more like a 93-95. I've definitely had better, including Jade, but it's still one of the best in the state.

 

Right, you'd think IPA's would taste better cold

 

A beer hasn't really made it on BA if it hasn't had a "Didn't _________ used to taste better?" thread yet

 

I don't know about the temperature being that much of a big deal for an ipa, but I am convinced that it tastes better if you pour it into a glass vs. drinking it out of the can. It may be all in my head, but no one will convince me otherwise.

 

I agree! I have a pool and will occasionally get lazy and just open the can and get in a raft. Usually 3 sips out of the can and I am out of the pool looking for an acrylic cup to pour it into.

As far a temps, I also agree with the others that this one (and most IPA's) are much better at 45 degrees than 37 degrees (which is where most fridges are set). Pull out a can 10-15min before you crack it and you are golden.

 

I always pour HDN'R into my favorite glass. I also know damn well it would be great straight out of the can!

 

I always drink HDR out of the can and I drink it cold, and it's great. I do believe not exposing the beer to too much oxygen helps hold the nose better than pouring it into the glass, you lose a bit of carbonation too. But thats me, I drink HT and Abrasive the same way.

 

Should of thought about that before you started the thread. What did you expect? You started a thread expressing your concern over a very popular brew. You're going to get people defending it and some questioning your findings. Posts like this are one of the many reasons BA was created. Cheers!!

 

Have you tried it on tap? I had it a few times this weekend and it was a lot better on tap than it was in the can. On draft at NoDa, it was balanced, fruity, and a smooth drinker. In the can it was kind of dull and had a bit of diacetyl flavor to it.

 

I agree that it's incredible on tap at Noda. But it's not what I'd call "balanced" at all. It's an all-out hop assault any way you slice it.

 

I just had my last can canned on the 7th and it was an unchanged thing of pleasure. No diacetyl, no off flavors, no problems, and it was not close to "dull" by "any" stretch of the imagination.

 

I've personally never gotten any diacetyl flavor from any Hop Drop I've ever had, be it can, draft, or growler.

 

I have been drinking HDnR for pretty much as long as they have been producing it. I picked up a 4 pack about a month ago at my local bottle store bc distro of the cans was pretty much limited to Clt and there was something off. Had a buddy get two 4 packs and he thought I was crazy until he opened he started to drink he second 4 pack. Also, had another buddy grab a 4 pack and noticed it was the same either. All of these 4 packs were bought from the same store and were canned a day before, so they were fresh. Maybe a bad batch because every other time, whether I have had it on draft or can, it was hoppy and delicious.

 

Got a 4 pack from the same place three weeks ago. HDR not very good but Jam Session was great.