Highly acclaimed brews that underwhelmed you?

It was CBS for me. I think I'm a sucker for the hype, and need to remind myself that it's just beer.

 

Definitly Dark Lord

 

I wasn't a huge fan of Marshal Zhukov or Speedway Stout. I found them very boozy and the burnt malt character quite offputting, and I'm evidently not too keen on the syrupy, borderline flat mouthfeel.

 

stone arrogant bastard and anything sixpoint

 

Love me some Bruery, but Melange #3 is probably my #1 disappointment ever. I'm sorry but White Oak should never be blended in anything, ever.

 

I'll probably be lynched for this, but...
Pliny the Elder. Just don't see what the big deal with that beer is. And I LOVE DIPAs, and try as many as I can get my hands on (and yes, I've had Elder fresh - about 2 weeks old - and I've had it on tap). Maybe if I ever get to try Younger it will blow me away, but Elder is just "good" in my book, not "great".

 

Torpedo is a well below average hoppy beer (IPA/EIPA/DIPA/whatever you call it) in my opinion.

 

I just don't get comparing a dipa to a pale ale, that's like someone who doesn't like strong beer saying they prefer guiness to bourbon county. What other beers would you rate above heady that are actually comperable? Btw I never said it was the best, it's not, but it's damn good.

 

You know, my experience possibly softened from the hype build-up. I had mine in SF in 2011 at a bar off the beaten path, not a long wait at all, had three pints, and a truly pleasant experience with some mellow but enthused patrons. I think in any other setting, the mad rush would have affected my overall experience.

 

Pliny shouldn't be hyped because it's the best, it should be hyped because it's a classic. Much like old Run DMC albums, or a 67 Shelby GT500. There will always be better, but there's only one classic.

People trading for it won't be getting the most mind blowing beer, they'll be getting a perfectly balanced IIPA and a history lesson.

 

BCBS and Two Hearted were letdowns for me.

Maine Beer Lunch has become a letdown as well. The last few batches have been pretty substandard compared to earlier versions.

 

Black note

 

Blabaer (even the best vintage I've had is mediocre)
Every.Single.West.Coast.BA.Stout. (Black Tuesday, Chocolate Rain, BA Speedway, every Eclipse....they all suck. Only one worth drinking out there is Abyss.)
Kate The Great (You would have to pay me to drink this toilet water again)
Pliny (Blind Pig is better)

 

I think I overhyped Pliny and was underwhelmed the first time I had it, expecting it to be heads and shoulders above other great DIPAs I had previously. However in subsequent experiences, I understood the brilliance. The balance keeps you coming back for more.

 

Brooklyn Black Chocolate 2011-12. I like beers that are a little boozy, but this didn't sit well for me. I have a 2010-11 bottle that I might be opening soon. Hopefully it'll be better with an extra year on it.
Surly Furious. It was an extra in a trade and I was super excited to try it but it was the definition of underwhelming. Just meh. I had a Surly Wet an hour before and I thought it was fantastic so maybe that didn't help.

How is anything Magic Hat in this thread? Which of their beers is highly acclaimed?

 

Plus we all know that people on here rate rare things much higher ...

 

KBS and PtE. It's all about taste though.

 

Stone's Double Bastard. Just had a bottle of it yesterday and was disappointed after anticipating it to be at least above Arrogant Bastard.

 

the bottle of 11 i had last night was much better than when i bought it last year, though i liked it fresh as well.

 

Wouldn't the history lesson be the Blind Pig or the one he did at his first brewery (the name escapes me)? Pliny isn't an old beer or even Vinnie's first DIPA. Hell DFH was doing 90 minute in the early 2000's which predates Pliny.