Heady Topper vs Abrasive

What year did you do, 2011? That was the only year I remember Darkness being very hoppy. That went away with a year put on it and was drinking fantastic earlier this year.

I have done a 5 year vertical of Darkness and blind BA stout tasting, but never a blind non-BA stout tasting. Thanks for the idea though, I think that will be next for me.

 

Heady wins imo. Abrasive doesn't hide the booze, too much bitterness.

 

I live Heady too and can't say I would kick it out of my bed tonight but isn't Abrasive meant to be bitter. That's the whole idea of Abrasive. Although ironically when I reviewed it critically today there was more malt that I have ever thought.

 

Even though I find it less complex (not as many layers or something), Abrasive still wins in my book. It's just the epitome of what I love in an IPA....grapefruit. Heady is amazing, don't get me wrong, and I feel it has more flavors going on, but it still can't beat Abrasive in terms of sheer perfection in a can.

 

Zombie Dust is pretty rad, but a DIPA it isn't.

 

Yah I brought it up cause it was popular like the other two and I like it but yah I get it. To me it's as good as the others.

 

Both beers are friggin drain pours. Close this thread.

 

Screw the Pliny, it will get murdered - put up Heady, Abrasive and a Toppling Goliath Sosus.

HF Abner is the total shit, but you'll have a tough time scoring some.

 

As good if not better than the others. I like really strong beer from time to time, but much prefer beer with a more sane abv. My point was, ZD isn't a giant, boozey hop monster like the other two, so comparisons between it and the others are a bit out of place. Perhaps not, this is just one mans opinion.

 

This is where I'm at personally...however I would give more credit to Heady in being able to craft such a wonderfully complex beer that totally masks its booze content.

 

Interesting... I've never thought of Abrasive as boozy but it does come out around the time big stouts do so maybe I'm so used to boozy RISs that I don't notice it.

 

Brian from the 4F email quote is worth posting in this thread: "
Anyway, it's here in the cooler with all the other Surly stuff. It's still as delicious as you remember, and it's still better than that one beer that urges bad science and tells you to drink from the can. Seriously, follow the advice of smart people like Surly and use your glass like a civilized person."

 

I've been getting my hands on fresh Abrasive this year....usually within two weeks of date on can and it is truly magnificent. Not saying there might not be other beers this good but I won't even look when I have access to this nectar...a bit pricy at $16 a 4 pack but shit how often would you spend $4 a pint for some crap in a bar? There are so many great beers out there but this is as good as it gets for a DIPA...$4 for a 16 ounce can is a no brainer

 

I had both, fresh, on the same day, but didn't really think of them as going head to head. As a narrow part of the overall spectrum, I think they are dissimilar on the DIIPA spectrum though.

I paired them with 4 games of softball and probably some "warm up" beers, though I cannot remember.

I also drank them both, from the can, in left center field. That is how I roll.

 

YES SIR I agree. Although I don't think Abrasive being that bitter but honestly and (sigh) this always gets me flack but I do not like Abrasive. Had it on more than one uh I think at least 4 occasions at varying freshness (day of canning to a week old) and everytime just was not there for me. HOWEVER!!!! I had it on cask at Grumpy's Roseville last year and it was amazing. Much like when I had Hop Slam on Cask I have a new preferred way to enjoy it.

PS: Abrasive however did make a BOMB ASS steak marinade, yea literally poured it in a giant bag with a steak that's it, and it was amazing (the steak).

 

Abrasive is on cask today at Grumpys NE, along with many other Surly offerings (no Darkness).
I believe it starts at 4:00 pm, but I could be wrong.

Side note, I didn't even really care for Abrasive on cask last week @ Surly tap room, but love the original.

 

Now that may be a nice treat for myself once I get this thing submitted for a job I'm applying for :-D thx yo.

 

Rio

I just saw the Surly post.
It starts at 5:00 pm
Besides the Abrasive cask, they'll have Smoke, Damien, Cisco Bender and Furious.

 

I was there last Wed too, and thought the cask abrasive was anything but good. I've really enjoyed it on cask before, but this one flat out tasted like a growler where the cap wasn't screwed on for a week. I know there is less carbonation in cask, but it didn't appeal to me at all. Side by side the regular was 20 times better IMO.

I love Abrasive and Heady, not sure I can pick one over the other, but do agree with a lot that have said I don't go out of the way for HT when Abrasive is here.