Is batch 2 _ever_ better than batch 1

Discussion in 'Trade Talk' started by kscaldef, Jun 5, 2013.

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  1. kscaldef

    kscaldef Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2010 Oregon

    With the usual claims being trotted out about Quetsche now, I'm curious: has there ever been a beer where there's a widespread consensus that a later batch is better than batch 1? It seems shockingly improbable that no brewer has ever gotten better at making a beer over time, and yet I can't remember any cases of people saying "don't even bother with batch 1; batch 2 is so much better"
     
  2. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Beatification (1, not pH1) and Cable Car come to mind. I'm sure there are others.
     
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  3. huskermike12

    huskermike12 Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2011 Vermont

    Assassin comes to mind, but yeah, it's pretty stupid that everyone always says earlier batches of almost everything are better. ISO: Batch 1 Heady Topper and PtE.
     
  4. yeahnatenelson

    yeahnatenelson Pooh-Bah (1,952) Feb 8, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Aaand fixed.
     
  5. Anonymous1

    Anonymous1 Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2012 Illinois

    It depends if you can taste rarity. If so, then Batch 1 is ALWAYS better than anything else that comes afterward.
     
  6. yeahnatenelson

    yeahnatenelson Pooh-Bah (1,952) Feb 8, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Here's two: Olde Rabbit's Foot and Churchill's Finest Hour. Or is that what rarity is supposed to taste like?
     
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  7. SpeedwayJim

    SpeedwayJim Pooh-Bah (2,877) Jun 19, 2009 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Batch 2 Castelton was better than Batch 1 IMO. Shouldn't this be in the cellaring forum?
     
  8. Sarlacc83

    Sarlacc83 Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2008 Oregon

    I notice no one has come forward (that I've seen) and said the bottled Batch 1 BVDL is better than Batch 2.
     
  9. jmarce

    jmarce Initiate (0) May 15, 2011 Connecticut

    only if, for some reason, B2 has a lower bottle count than B1
     
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  10. kscaldef

    kscaldef Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2010 Oregon


    The "batch 1 was way better" claim gets trotted out here about 10 times as often as in the cellaring forum.
     
  11. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    CFH is a different blend each year.
     
  12. yeahnatenelson

    yeahnatenelson Pooh-Bah (1,952) Feb 8, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You Cali guys, so touchy about CFH...
     
  13. bauermj

    bauermj Initiate (0) May 4, 2009 Illinois

    Pipeworks Blue Lady
     
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  14. Bad_Trader

    Bad_Trader Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2012 Namibia

    Of course Batch 1 is always better than batch 2, and for obvious reasons. Any slight defects in a beer, any off flavors, any imbalance, any overpowering alcohol burn, can all be corrected with enough time spent in a large milk-crate in the back of the closet in the spare bedroom of your 2nd floor apartment.

    Also, no brewers have ever 'gotten any better' Pretty much the first time they brew something that is worth anything, is the best it's ever gonna be.

    Look at HotD "Dave" shit was obviously so crazy good that they had to throw the recipe out.
     
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  15. jmarsh123

    jmarsh123 Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2010 Indiana
    Trader

    Upland's first run of lambics were a bit messy. Specifically, this latest batch of Blackberry was better than the first.
     
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  16. olympuszymurgus

    olympuszymurgus Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2009 California

    Assasin, Commander, surly five/pentagram, Vlad the Impaler, the newest batch of Central waters BBIS is way better than previous years.

    Just a few of the top of my head.
     
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  17. CAbeerCAbeerCA

    CAbeerCAbeerCA Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2011 Maryland

    I was not a fan of batch 1 Parabola. Since batch 2, it has been one of my favorite beers.
     
  18. OSUBeerStudent

    OSUBeerStudent Initiate (0) May 2, 2008 Washington

    Bourbon Fred. Boom.
     
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  19. kscaldef

    kscaldef Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2010 Oregon


    The first draft batch of Bourbon Fred was the best...
     
  20. drgarage

    drgarage Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2008 California

    Temptation Batch 4 is probably still the best version ever.
     
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