Pliny the Elder or Abrasive--which is better?

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by DocJitsu, Dec 6, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 4 of 4
  1. KarlHungus

    KarlHungus Grand Pooh-Bah (3,315) Feb 19, 2005 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    If memory serves me, they do change the hops yearly. For what its worth, I think this years Abrasive is better than it was the last two years, and from what I've gathered from your posts over the past seven plus years you and I have pretty similar palates so I'd wager that you'll like it this year.
     
    #61 KarlHungus, Dec 9, 2012
  2. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (4,048) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I picked up two 4-packs over the weekend and am looking forward to trying it soon...like tonight....will rate at a different time though...I'm guessing I am going to love this years batch....my brother loved it two and we are usually pretty close in our opinions as well..
     
    #62 ZAP, Dec 11, 2012
  3. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (4,048) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah hey don't feel bad that you can't discern some flavor dimensions..it took me years upon years to develop my palate. A lot of the more experienced tasters will find garlic notes from some hops (more importantly from how those hops are used in the boil)....I see you're still a relative infant with 220 reviews to your name, Keep on tasting and working on your palate and some day you'll be able to note some of these differences. Nothing like drinking beer to improve your tasting skills huh? Not a bad job at all!
     
    #63 ZAP, Dec 11, 2012
    Ish1 likes this.
  4. Bighuge

    Bighuge Pooh-Bah (2,356) Dec 8, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah


    Yeah, I've definitely tasted/smelled garlic/onion in beers before as well. Several years ago I got it in Surlyfest.

    A quick search of "Summit Hops" in homebrew forums will confirm that we're not the only ones with this discernment.
     
    #64 Bighuge, Dec 11, 2012
  5. DocJitsu

    DocJitsu Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2009 Florida

    I looked through every review of Abrasive on BA and found that out of 669 reviews, 9 noted garlic. That's a mere 1.3%! What I do think is being mistaken for garlic is what VonSteinhoist cleverly dubs, unami. It's not just the flavor, it's the palate's experience. But, in my opinion, unami flavors seem to take on more of a subtle onion quality. It's like the mild oniony character in the palate experience one gets from a beef, chicken, or fish broth. But, of course you knew that because your palate, after "years upon years" of development has reached a pinnacle of actualization.
     
    #65 DocJitsu, Dec 14, 2012
  6. mnbearsfan

    mnbearsfan Initiate (0) Dec 25, 2009 Minnesota
    Trader

    I am suddenly in the mood for some 2011 Devil Dancer...
     
    #66 mnbearsfan, Dec 14, 2012
    Ish1 likes this.
  7. dc55110

    dc55110 Savant (1,116) Oct 24, 2010 Minnesota

    '11 Devil Dancer was a wonderful beer with a year on it. I did a side by side with this years batch when it came out, it wasn't even close. The '11 was a superior in every way compared to the '12.
     
    #67 dc55110, Dec 14, 2012
  8. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (4,048) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Wow! Great job on all that research and yes you are right it did have a bit of a garlic/oniony taste in the past. It is very light this year and close to indistinguishable. Those characteristics are much stronger in a few other beers I've had. Usually comes from the Summit hop although I've gotten in from Citra before depending on how it was used in the boil.
     
    #68 ZAP, Dec 14, 2012
  9. TonyBaloney

    TonyBaloney Initiate (0) Sep 18, 2008 Minnesota

    I think a lot of those pioneer beers like Pliny are living on their laurels - I've had Pliny a few times and, while it's good, it's not an incredible brew by today's standards; Abrasive has more of what I look for in a big ass DIPA.
     
    #69 TonyBaloney, Dec 14, 2012
    Revenant likes this.
Page 4 of 4
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.