NE IPAs in Michigan?

Transient can definitely be inconsistent, and part of that too is the lack of dates on the cans. If I knew what was fresh and what wasn't, that would certainly help. The Juice is Loose and Rainbows and Waterfalls I was drinking 2-3 years ago were better than what's coming out today, but the DDH series they did (Mellow AF, Permastank, etc.) was really excellent in my book.

Arvon has been inconsistent too - in my experience they're best enjoyed really fresh. The inconsistency shows up in the form of some ill-placed hop burn at times. They haven't had cans make it to the East Side in months, I would be interested to have some fresh Arvon. Still haven't had Profound Technique, folks seem to think that one is the best. But the best, freshest stuff I've had from Arvon was really fantastic, approached Treehouse complexity/feel.

I think M43 and Boss Tweed are fine, but they can be inconsistent too - I've had cans that are disappointingly flat or lacking that juicy punch. I loved the first Greenstone batch, really disappointed with the second. Flat Earth and Cart Horse were good too, but it seems they've stopped making or distributing them regularly. Can't really figure out what's going on up there - they occasionally release a new IPA but it's almost always a brewery exclusive that sells out.

I regret leaving them off my initial list, but I actually think I'd take Ellison's NEIPAs over Old Nation. You Can Get With That Juice, Haz'N'Stein, Mosaic/Citra Evolution, Crescent Fresh are all good to great, and they're usually the cheapest quality NEIPAs on the shelf.

Special mention to Brew Detroit's Cloud 19 - for my money just as good as M43 and always cheaply priced for the style. Eastern Market's Elephant Juice is nice too - will be watching their development.

 

On these lists, I’ve personally only had ON, Homes and Transient. Homes I agree is very good (although, as they stick to trendy styles, I prefer to visit Wolverine when I’m in town). Transient IPAs in general I find just OK.

One thing ON has done, that really not many other breweries in the country have been able to do, is basically mass produce a couple top notch NEIPAs. They still have some batch variation it seems, but when you compare them to any other similarly produced equivalent, they blow the rest away. So from that aspect, I personally give them higher marks for being able to do that.

Now, as for the rest of their lineup, I keep my feelings to myself.

 

Great shout out for Cloud 19, forgot about that one as well.

Highly suggest stopping out at Eastern Market, I was there last month and they had I think four different New England's all at least good.

 

ON has had some consistency issues in cans and in kegs. I know recently they had an issue with kegs where everything fell out of suspension and you were getting a clear beer poured. Had this happen to me and I swore that what I was being poured was not correct.

Though yes for how much they are pumping out of those two beers and in two different brewing locations it is impressive that these complaints seem smaller than a lot of places pumping out less.

 

I haven't had any Arvon since summer of 2018, so I'm obviously well behind with their beers. I'd like to get my hands on some - even though I'm in MI quite a bit throughout the year, it's not easy stuff to get. Hopefully that changes soon with their new opening.

I've had quite a few IPAs from HOMES, and don't think I've had a bad one yet. But, I also don't think anything would've rated above M-43/BT for me. That's not a knock at all - they're all excellent beers IMO. But, I will also say that I've heard of the Old Nation inconsistency, yet I've been lucky enough to avoid any of that over the past few years.

It would be nice to be able to get some HOMES around town (or the state) as well when I'm back in MI. It seems like you have to pretty much get to their release the day of, or even right at opening, in order to get their cans - at least that seemed how it was last time I checked on it.

 

Luckily for folks in Michigan, HOMES has stepped up their production volumes considerably. On a typical four can release, at least two or three of those cans are making it until well after the public line has died out, and for some of the recent releases they've had a beer or two remain available in cans for a couple days. Hopefully a sign of things to come!

 

Used to be really big into Transient NEIPAs but fell off shortly. Price and availability I guess. Think the best out the bunch is actually an APA, Cromulent.
One of their best side from their stout/porter game. Also I'm in minority with Ellison prolly when I say their only good beer is their Evolution hop series. Also their stouts... They almost remind me of Short's with a certain distinct flavor profile. All IMO of course.

Cloud 19 was really enjoyable too.
Always excited to try new Austin Bros. They are top on my radar.

Had a handful of Arvon brews and nothing really stuck out to me. Don't get me wrong, they've cranked out a lot of great beers. But nothing that sticks out in my head as a constant solid offering from them that's readily available. At least on my side of town. Which curves my opinion of course.
Will keep an eye out for Waxed Wings on the east side. (Fingers crossed)

 

Cromulent is definitely one of the best Transient beers - maybe my favorite APA.

Out of curiosity I just went back to the very first page of this thread, December 2016, and folks are anticipating the very first M43 and Ellison can releases... my how time flies.

 

I remember trading people in other states when M43 started dropping. Now Arkansas, New Jersey and a lot of others get distro.

Still waiting on a public release of MI-ME to the state of Michigan.

One can dream, right?

 

That happened to me as well in late December. I have a picture of the M43 I was served- the server and bartender were adament it was M43, I just assumed it was B43 and I was getting less carbs

 

Or a regular supply of DDH M43.

 

What did people think of Strawberry M43? My first time having it last year, and I did NOT like it. Strawberry is not a fruit I like tasting in any kind of IPA, for whatever reason.

 

I liked it. For what it was. But I was still on the fence about it. Was this a sour IPA or a fruited IPA?

Would love a steady release of this. Loved it. Despite many disputes on whether it really tasted diff than the original... Holiday Market has had it twice on their growler station and was remarkable each time.

 

First time it was released, I thought it was awesome. The strawberry flavor was very subtle. The second time, the tart was overwhelming, IMO. Very disappointing.

 

Just seen a few recent posts from today that some east side stores (other than 8 Degrees Plato ) got some Transient cans up for sale.
News to me, when did this happen??? How'd this happen? Bizzarro

 

Announced a week or 2 ago that Transient is now distributing, so look for it to show up in quite a few more places.

 

Here is a pic of the clear M43 I was served in late December 2019 ...

 

I was a member as well, dropped it when the issues with consistency showed up. They were, for a time, making some of the best NEIPA's in the state. Looking forward to what they can do in their new space. Super nice people and I wish them the best.

Other than samples at a beer festival I haven't had anything from Homes, or Wax Wings, for that matter.

1)Austin Bros
2)Arvon
3)Old Nation
4)Transient

 

Had this happen to a friend of mine as well, definitely B-43.

 

Transient's No Third Eye Triple IPA is fucking fantastic!