Green Flash Distributing Alpine Bottles

FWIW I was very much underwhelmed by a draft Hoppy Birthday I had last weekend in the Philly area. I suppose that keg could have been an August keg. FWIW, it is my understanding that Green Flash has been producing draft Alpine beer since 2013. I can see 'start up' issues occurring in 2013. If after two years they can't get the production of these beers 'right' then Green Flash has some real production issues.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/green-flash-to-start-brewing-alpine-beer-too.103668/

Cheers!

 

That's an unfair jest.

 

My OH buddy said a bar near him in Cleveland sat on a keg of Enjoy By, thinking the date meant that's when they should tap it. Oops.

 

Why not? Unless something changes Alpine still brews Alpine. What else are they going to do with the brewery in Alpine and all the equipment? Part of the reason for the change is so Alpine can offer more to their employees. I don't see them changing people at the brewery.

 

Well, that is not a too egregious thing. If they tapped on the date that beer is only about a month old.

@raynmoon posted about an Alpine keg which had a February date on the keg and it was tapped in August. That is about 6 months!!

Cheers!

 

The new Green Flash Alpine bottles have a 6 month enjoy by date

 

It's been in Albany so I am assuming soon.

 

I have no problem with a brewer making money off a beer that is "rare" as long as the brewer continues to manufacture that brew at the same high quality and flavor.

So I love the slogan, but I believe the problem is that some folks don't believe these Alpine beers taste the same when brewed by Green Flash. I haven't had the opportunity to make that judgment myself.

 

That has certainly been my experience over multiple drinking experiences (varying dates, varying venues) with the draft beers (Hoppy Birthday, Duet). It has the appearance that some folks are opining that more recent batches and bottled version vs. draft has 'improved quality'. I have not tasted a bottled version but the recent draft experiences have been very underwhelming. I came to the conclusion after multiple tries that the Alpine beers I drank were not worth what I was charged.

Cheers!

Edit: My most recent drinking experience was a 13 ounce glass of Hoppy Birthday for $6.50.

 

13oz for 6.50 ouch!

 

Dont think this was posted yet. Little long but a pretty cool review side by side of Alpine brewed Nelson and Green Flash brewed Nelson

 

So I'm planning a trip to San Diego next year, need to get a sense of whether I should make the pilgrimage to Alpine or rather just go to Green Flash. Has anything fundamentally changed at the Alpine source that would make me reconsider the trip?

 

Yup, and no lube was provided.

Cheers!

 

Does Ale Arsenal allow bottle takeout? It surprises me how many places are out of touch. You would think RRBC accounts would at least have heard of, but no.

 

@NJNYC732, thank you so much for posting that video review.

I have not had Alpine Nelson but my drinking experiences with draft Alpine Hoppy Birthday and Alpine Duet (which were brewed at Green Flash) was akin to what the reviewer stated concerning the Green Flash brewed Alpine Nelson. The beers I drank tasted ‘old’ which is something that the reviewer mentioned when drinking his freshly brewed Green Flash produced Alpine Nelson.

I am even more convinced than ever that Green Flash is experiencing production issues when brewing Alpine beers.

I think the reviewer made a poignant comment concerning this at the very end of the video: it’s been almost two years and it’s still not right.

A very disappointing situation that Green Flash can’t get it right.

Cheers!

 

I've had Duet, Nelson and Hoppy Birthday at Alpine Brewiing as well as other places in CA when we went out to San Diego last year. I've had Duet and Hoppy Birthday a few times in Boston area since January as well - had a glass of Hoppy Birthday two weeks ago in Malden.

Very hopeful that bottles will be distributed to MA at some point soon.

 

Go to the source if you can - there's an excellent BBQ place two doors down that serves their beer and the food is amazing.

 

Had some on draft last night & it seemed a shadow of the bottles I tried years ago ( actually from Alpine ). They will probably sell well here though not much completion IMHO....

 

Just picked up a Nelson and Hoppy Birthday. As others have said, Alpine labels and Green Flash bottles. Will try to judge for myself.