I don't think this has been brought up (that I've seen [though I spend little time around these parts]). When Bedlam came out this year, as always, I waited with anticipation. I was calling retailers along my commute DAILY to see when they got it. I got it the afternoon Discount got theirs in. I went home, poured mine, and waited for awesome. As I was pouring it, I instinctively swirled my bottle around to pick up the yeasty goodness. I noticed there was no yeasty goodness. The bier tasted really good still, but not as perfect as I recalled (It's tied with Cane & Ebel and NG Berliner Weisse for my #1 favorite). I thought I was crazy, until I watched my buddy do the EXACT same thing, and have the EXACT same disappointed reaction. Fast forward to now. I've been keeping an eye out for Tripel Nova in the Milwaukee area for my brother (his favorite bier). As I poured it...it's CRYSTAL CLEAR. Now, my brother and I went up the weekend of release to the brewery to imbibe this wondrous brew, and it was the expected, beautiful hazy brew we longed for. I've been in contact with an representative from Ale Asylum (she's a SUPER awesome, SUPER helpful woman who's gone above and beyond in helping me track down some Tripel Nova out here), and I mentioned the yeast issue with Bedlam. She told me that, apparently, the new tanks are larger, so the yeast seems to settle a bit more than it used to, so there is a bit less consistency in the yeastiness. So, I don't know if anyone else noticed, and figured I'd just share the knowledge in case anyone was in my boat and thought themself crazy. I was assured I was not nuts, and that they are aware of this, and hoping things will get back to the consistency that existed at the old location. Growing pains :/ On the other hand, it's kind of interesting to see how much the yeast absolutely contributes to these brews (ESPECIALLY Tripel Nova).
I can't believe a BA who has been a member since '07 hasn't learned that the most recent batch is always worse than the previous batch. It's a simple law of brewing.
Really? I guess I could see that, if you prefer a more traditional IPA. I missed the subtle qualities of the yeast. Overall, Bedlam was still pretty great, but the yeast added a touch of complexity and muddled the hop profile (in a good way). This years tasted a bit too clear; more like a traditional IPA (maybe a normal Citra IPA). I REALLY, REALLY liked the Belgian influence on the "normal" IPA, though.
I remember last year's bedlam being completely uninteresting with no hop bite to speak of. This year's is not that and it's wonderful.
