Mystery Beer, what is it??

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by JordonHoltzman, Apr 5, 2016.

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  1. Spindletop

    Spindletop Zealot (559) Jun 4, 2003 Massachusetts

    You got a bottle of either Juliet or Lolita that predates the switch to 750ml bottles (and the massive price increase). When first bottled, Juliet would usually be more sour than Lolita, but with this much age, it would be hard to guess. A lot would depend on whether it was stored at room temp or kept cold.
     
    #41 Spindletop, Apr 8, 2016
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  2. JordonHoltzman

    JordonHoltzman Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2009 New York

    It was in the fridge when I bought it, but who knows how long they had it with/without the label. My guess it was kept out of the fridge for quite a while, not trying to sell it, and then decided recently what the hell and put it out front in a fridge.

    I appreciate everyone's input, although we can't peg it down to one of those two with 100% certainty, I can claim for sure that it was 100% delicious and a steal. Glad I gambled on that bottle.
     
    #42 JordonHoltzman, Apr 8, 2016
  3. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    4. There never was a label on it. Sometimes bottles slip by on the bottling line without getting a label and make it into the pack/case without anyone catching it. I work at a beer store and two different Prairie Coffee Okies from two different cases had no labels. There was another Prairie beer from a while back that didn't have a label but can't remember what it was. Happens with some local breweries around here too.

    Oh and 5. The beer was given to the shop as a free sample from a brewery rep or even a trusted friend of the shop. If that were the case though, it'd technically be illegal to sell it.
     
    #43 Immortale25, Apr 8, 2016
  4. JordonHoltzman

    JordonHoltzman Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2009 New York

    The bottle had traces of the adhesive glue on it, you know, the horizontal stripes. Not sure if that indicates anything, like the bottle can get the adhesive but slip by the label part of the line, or if that definitively says it fell off afterward. I guess it doesn't matter too much either way
     
    #44 JordonHoltzman, Apr 8, 2016
  5. jimmypa

    jimmypa Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    I know you said the beer was "funky" but I would think if it were Lolita or Juliet it would taste straight up sour. If it wasn't very tart and sour then it was probably Matilda or Pere
     
    #45 jimmypa, Apr 8, 2016
  6. JordonHoltzman

    JordonHoltzman Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2009 New York

    Ah, maybe I used the wrong word then. it was tart/sour for sure. I guess funky is a different descriptor.
     
    #46 JordonHoltzman, Apr 8, 2016
  7. jimmypa

    jimmypa Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Ok then I'm back on board with Lolita or Juliet. Sometimes those descriptors go hand in hand but just wanted to check. Nice grab if it was one of those, cheers!
     
    #47 jimmypa, Apr 8, 2016
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  8. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Actually, every time I've encountered label-less beers there's been no adhesive. It sounds like this shop just takes the labels off random beers and sells them for a flat price so it's a gamble on whether it's a gem or a 2-yr-old IPA. I guess that's one way to do it
     
    #48 Immortale25, Apr 8, 2016
  9. jtodeasa

    jtodeasa Crusader (475) Nov 11, 2015 Connecticut

    Completely unrelated, this was my all-time favorite tasting glass, just broke it this week!
     
    #49 jtodeasa, Apr 8, 2016
  10. JordonHoltzman

    JordonHoltzman Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2009 New York

    Ah that's the worst! sorry to hear that! that's a nice one too.
     
    #50 JordonHoltzman, Apr 8, 2016
  11. JordonHoltzman

    JordonHoltzman Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2009 New York

    Maybe I'm being naive here, but I honestly think it wasn't intentional. If they kept the label on a 2012 Juliet, and lowered it to maybe $8 instead of $4.99, someone would have bought it for sure. I think it eventually fell off, or the label was really damaged, so they eventually peeled whatever was left of it
     
    #51 JordonHoltzman, Apr 8, 2016
  12. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've never seen a label so damaged you couldn't even tell what the beer was. Even the imports that get beat up having to travel so far are intact enough to still be sold. Let me ask you this: how many "mystery beers" are in that cooler?
     
    #52 Immortale25, Apr 8, 2016
  13. mpmcguire11

    mpmcguire11 Savant (1,037) Sep 6, 2014 Rhode Island

    120 Minute?
     
    #53 mpmcguire11, Apr 8, 2016
  14. JordonHoltzman

    JordonHoltzman Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2009 New York

    There were 3 total. as stated in the OP, guy at the bar told me he bought a 2005 DFH, and there should be one left. So after the KBS release we were at, I went to the store nearby and saw the DFH, and 1 Goose Island. So it was 3 total, 2 when I got there, and I bought the 2.

    I'm suggesting the label got messed up, and while the rest of the case sold back in 2012 or whatever, this one didn't. So it was the ugly duckling that didn't get picked. and then it kind of just never moved, so eventually, they decided to peel it off altogether, and sell it at $4.99. Maybe it made it more appealing to buy a mystery beer than a beer with a mangled label. worked for me
     
    #54 JordonHoltzman, Apr 8, 2016
  15. NickyDee21

    NickyDee21 Initiate (0) Dec 23, 2011 Pennsylvania

    That sucks! I got this one about 5 years back in Gnomegang, Three Philosophers, Hennepin gift box. Havent seen this particular one since
     
    #55 NickyDee21, Apr 9, 2016
  16. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ok, that makes sense. Sorry, I see you did say "a few beers" in your OP but I had in my mind a whole row of unlabeled beers for some reason.
     
    #56 Immortale25, Apr 9, 2016
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  17. jparizo

    jparizo Initiate (0) Jan 16, 2011 Indiana

    Was just messing around. Matilda was just the first thing that came to my mind. I thought Matilda would be that color after a two/tree years. From what I remember it has like a muted ruby color. The taste is kind of Brett funk, yeast with a little fruitiness. So after a few years, if it got sweeter, it could resemble berries (just guessing).
    I would drink a Matilda anytime...or any GI vintages for that matter.
     
    #57 jparizo, Apr 9, 2016
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