Did anyone get bottles at the HUB dock sale? I grabbed a case (splitting it up amongst friends) and I guess only 30 were produced. Was wondering if anyone had cracked a bottle yet and what their impression was if so. The HUB description is as follows for those interested:
Haha, it was really under the radar...HUB announced it on their FB page a few days before the release and it was on a few of the blogs...but I got there early and there were only 15-20 people there when they started selling it. It sounds amazing but I likely won't have time to crack a bottle and try it for myself for a little bit so I'm curious if anyone has tried it.
I'm curious to see how it is, but I skipped the release simply because I refuse to get in line for a beer release from a brewery that has only released mediocre beers at best imho.
I've heard a number of people called HUB mediocre or worse in the past few weeks, and I'm curious when there was a shift in opinion. I've always thought their beer to be solid to above average (and some of their barrel aged offerings such as Kronan the Bourbarian have been excellent.) I also find Seven Grain Stout to be an excellent stand-by.
Exactly, HUB simply isn't my jam. I'm not going to stand in line for a beer I probably won't like if that means one less beer for someone who will thoroughly enjoy it.
I had always heard great things about HUB's brews, so was excited when they started showing up around here. I've found them to be good, but they also don't make me do my happy dance of joy (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Idrz2SDds5M/TaNWroE0SaI/AAAAAAAAAdM/E-GMAyzLQXE/s1600/snoopy-dance.jpeg) . I'd also never call them mediocre. Enjoyable brews, and I grab one on tap, but they only sell in 22's, so unless it's a new brew for me to tick, I rarely buy bottles.
I really like HUB personally and find they consistently produced some of the better easy to find PNW beers...Not mind-blowing mind you, but Survival Stout and their IPA are both really solid...and I think Ace of Spades is one of the better PNW DIPAs for cost/ease to obtain. That said, this is a first for them so it was a gamble. I never tried the Dubbel Suplex but back in 2009 it won the People's Choice Award at the Portland Cheers to Belgian Beers festival. So I'm expecting that the base beer was at the very least solid. Guess since no one has had it I should crack a bottle sometime soon haha.
It has two ratings on RB already: Bottle... Poured dark brown with a thin head. Light body, phenolic, with toasted grains, barrel characters, oak, and vinous qualities. I got a lot of weird chemical, awkward fermented flavors that I’m not sure where they came from. Reminded me of scotch in that sense, but way messy compared to scotch. (3.0/5) On tap at Fredfest 2012. Pours light amber with a nice beige head and a vinegar and toffee aroma. There is a sour caramel malt flavor with a hint of cherry and a bitter bourbon finish. (3.7/5)
I had it at FredFest and found it to be probably my 3rd favorite beer of the evening. The volunteers each had a bottle they opened and were pouring tastes of after they finished their shift of pouring the beers on tap. I snagged a few bottles at release and thought it is defintiely worth the $12 price tag. I have always enjoyed HUB beers when I have eaten there never really sought after a bottle before. I was impressed at FredFest but it also may have been due to the fact that it was 3 hours after I started drinking that I had it. I for one, am looking forward to opening my bottles.
It was not on tap at fredfest. They had bottles only and Preston was pouring them about 40 minutes before the event ended. I thought it was interesting and one of the highlights of the evening, despite my wariness of bourbon/wine barrel blends. I am looking forward to cracking one soon (thanks Andy!)
That explains why I couldn't find it on any of the taps. I assumed it was one of those things like the Midnight Sun New Black that was rotated in near the very end.
