Green Flash Distributing Alpine Bottles

Sure! Back in the day, DFH 90 was a standout within a profile I was never particularly fond of. Very malty DIPA, with a big, syrupy presence, but strong hop aroma to back it up. It was sweet, thick, and even slightly roasty in its malt base, but the hops were still the star of the show. Something like Avery's Maharajah shares this kind of bigger, sweeter angle, though again, it's not my thing. It was a unique beer. Nowadays, I feel like the roasted malt component is mostly gone, and what you get is a kind of oxidized, syrupy mess, with only bittering hops to fight the cloyingly sweet body, its heavy malt base, and boozy character. The thing feels far less smoothly integrated. A big shame.

Sculpin is the real tragedy of this lot for me. Back in the day, I would have called Sculpin my favorite IPA in production in the West Coast, up there with Pliny and Nelson. It used to be the pinnacle of west coast tropical goodness: almost jammy in its consistency, hugely fragrant with dank aromas of tropical fruit, mango, papaya, et al; not overly bitter, sweet not but cloying. It was a perfectly integrated IPA that hit all the marks. Now, I find that the body has lost a bit of the juiciness, and the hop profile has become way, way less forward and subdued. I've had fresh bottles, draft pours, and though on occasion it is still a very good IPA, it has become woefully mediocre.

Lagunitas Sucks was an absolute hit when it first hit the shelves, and when it first started coming out regularly ain six packs. Unfortunately, then they thought they would change that with 32oz bottles, and it became almost impossible to land fresh Sucks. For whatever reason, I find Lagunitas beers are particularly shelf-sensitive, and that their hoppier efforts wane rather quickly, but are delicious when fresh. After they returned to six-pack format, I was excited to grab them anew, but found the beer again lacking in aromatic consistency, being maltier and sweeter than I remember, to the point where I prefered Hop Stoopid over it (which was always, and has remained, a very good DIPA, particularly for the price).

I think Enjoy By has suffered a similar fate, for whatever reasons. So, what do I like these days? Noble Ale Works is killing it with their hoppy beers, Three Weavers, Highland Park and El Segundo are all making killer stuff. I like fresh Go To IPA by Stone, Port's Swamis for another easy to get WC IPA, Karl Strauss' Mosaic Session IPA... and Trillium's stuff, Hill Farmstead and Other Half, from the East Coast when I can get it.

 

I don't get the whole "its too bitter thing"... Its an IPA for Christ's sake. I do understand that the OG version was more subtle, but I truly think that some, not all, are looking for a reason to dislike this beer. If the main complaint of a west coast IPA is that its too bitter, I don't know what to tell you. Call me crazy, but I think the GF Nelson is better than Nelson Showers (simply comparing Noble as it was mentioned).

I guess my thoughts should be taken with a grain of salt. Imo OG Nelson is the best IPA in the world. So I guess even if the GF version is still 80-90% of that beer, I'd still be high on it

 

Nelson Showers is incredible. I would never take GF Nelson over it.

 

Not all IPAs are created equal, and there's such a thing as too bitter.

I tried Galaxy Showers next to Duet and Nelson, and it was not even a question. The Galaxy Showers obliterated them. Nelson Showers is insanely good as well. The original Nelson is a spectacular beer, but the GF version is really unremarkable.

 

Drinking a Nelson right now. So good; it's like mango juice in a bottle.

 

I recently had the session IPA. It was good, but I was expecting more because of the Alpine reputation.

 

I'm definitely a fan of the shower series. But within a pretty close time frame I had a few Nelson showers and a few OG Alpines. IMO they aren't as close as people make them out to be. There are a few other Nelson beers I prefer over the showers as well. Will I drink more showers when I can? Absolutely... Will I enjoy the fact that the GF Nelson isn't immediately selling out as its reaching mixed reception? Absolutely

 

@Dansac and @TheIPAHunter Isn't it also possible that over time your palate and tastes have changed? I feel like this is the majority of the reason we see so many of these "beer x isn't as good as last year/before and/or beer y" posts on BA.

Also, for the record I love Noble and HPB.

 

Had hoppy birthday a few times in the gf bottles.


If this is bad beer, i think we need to step back and evaluate our perception of good and bad, imo. Not every beer on the shelf can be a 100 (even if ratebeer thinks so).

 

If that were true, then it would apply across the board to all my former favorites. But I think fresh Stone IPA, fresh Racer 5, Fresh Hop Stoopid, Two Hearted Ale, et al, have retained their qualities. If it were a more general thing I'd say you were right. Though it is true that I think there is a new standard being set by newer breweries.

 

Is there any way to obtain non-GF bottles of Nelson?
Do they sell either bottles or draft it straight from the source?

 

I think the sentiment of most people critical of HB is that it's different from the prototype that they've had from the original source. Not that it's bad. I'm in that camp but happy to continue to watch and test as GF tweaks the brew house dials.

 

No more non gf Nelson bottles according to my alpine gurus in SD

 

I was not one of the folks you mentioned but in my opinion palate change is not the explanation for why experienced beer drinkers note differences in how beers taste. IMO the reason why beers taste different is because the breweries are not brewing consistent beers. Lots of folks like to make fun of AB but but they know how to consistently brew beers like Budweiser.

Cheers!

 

IPA has to be balanced.

Honestly, I have to agree with the DFH 90 Minute. Its a pretty damn balanced.

 

What?

 

It's a pretty balanced IPA. Sorry missed the last word.

 

Having my first one now GF bottle it is amazing. When I picked it up In California a week or so ago it was only 4 days old. Crazy fast distribution

And I haven't been around as long as some of you but I have to disagree about enjoy by losing its edge that shit knocks my socks off every time.