Hype is not a flavor...

No one is immune to the thoughts of others but I don't think hype influences my choices at all.

 

I find it's got a lot to do with one's frame of reference. If you've only ever had half a dozen mediocre IPAs, then you get a can of fresh heady, it's going to be the best beer you've ever had.

If, on the other hand, you've had a hundred IPAs and half of them have been world-class, you may be less-then-blown-away by Heady and as such wind up disappointed.

 

Seems to be something we can taste.

 

Perhaps you are one of us, the few that dare not to have commonly hyped beers as their favorite beer. I doubt I'll ever drink another BBA stout, or another double/imperial stout over 10% ABV ever again. I might have a few more DIPAs, especially since I'll be in California this summer. Belgians are cool too, but not my favorites of all times.

 

I think it is the opposite. Of you have only had a few mediocre IPAs Heady might be too much for you because you aren't ready.
If you have had other world class IPAs you can appreciate the greatness of Heady.

 

KBS is not ideal for aging, the coffee will fade over time. Not that you can't age it but, IMO its best fresh and this years batch I thought was awesome.

 

I'm afraid that a great deal of the hype surrounding certain beers and releases is driven by a good number of folks lacking experience with a broad range of beers from around the world. I spoke with a fellow that actually said to me that he doesn't need to try IPAs from anywhere but the USA. I would never trust his judgement about any beer. Beer is not a contest, it's a lifelong venture to develop ones' palate and to be open to both innovation and tradition.

 

If you are on this forum, then you are influenced by hype. Anyone who says otherwise is disingenuous. Posting that you are not influenced by hype is supposed to be some kind of badge of honor, but the inference is that everyone else is influenced by hype while you are the one human in history who isnt. Please.

 

I have a tendency to look for beers that others have given good reviews, but I *usually* don't let that influence my rating. I've had some beers that were heavily hyped and given them bad ratings because I thought they sucked. But sometimes if a beer is well-liked I will give it a chance to grow on me, rather than decide to cut my losses and chug it.

 

If this is something you desire to do then you need to make the effort to drink beer totally blind (i.e., not knowing what the beer is). You need to get help from a partner to pour the beer for you so that you have no idea what you are drinking. This is truly the only method to assess a beer "unbiased and open-minded".

I would encourage you to try this once (or twice or....)

Cheers!

 

Exactly. Sometimes I will even try a beer that I know isn't very good so I have a broader range of experiences to draw upon. If everything you've had is world class, then you may have a very good beer but consider it inferior quality. That's why I have a Schaefer in the fridge right now. I fully expect it to be nasty but I need it to keep things in perspective.

 

Yes and kinda no. I love it fresh , I do. I also thinks it ages beautifully too, it softens around the edges , a bit less boozy, but still a great beer. Bcbcs changes proportionally as well, I think every BA stout settles in a bit with age.

 

Is this why your avatar says "Ack"!?!

Cheers!

 

Definitely agree. I love heavily coffee forward stouts though so thats why I enjoy it fresh. I would not recommend to somebody to age their KBS for for 2+ years, but around the 1 year mark? Absolutely. Doubt Ill have more than one bottle left in a year though!

 

Sho' nuff!

 

It is not my intent to be confrontational here but:

• Do you think you are unbiased to hype?
• If so, why do you think this?

Cheers!

 

For what it's worth, Schaefer is a guilty pleasure beer of mine. Used to get it in 40s from a packie in New Bedford, MA. I think it's really good for what it is....and I second your opinion. I bought some Carta Blanca and Pacifico to go with some grilled carne asada tacos on a hot day. They both were much better than the general consensus and quite enjoyable. I stopped paying attention to hype years ago. I usually go by the old adage "expect the worst, hope for the best". I find that there are less let downs if you adjust expectations, especially when it comes to beer (a cellared bottle of Brooklyn black ops taught me this)