Real Ale brewers cut

Quad and the Porter are my favorites... I didn't even know five and six were close to coming out! Not a barleywine guy so probably will skip that one. I'd like to try the 5 though.

Is this just going to be a never ending series that never repeats?

 

The Imperial Red was delicious. I got it a few times and may have to get it once again. I wish it was available all year!

 

The quad made me gag and was a drain pour and there was entirely too many whole pellet Hercules hops in the signature hop ale. I passed on the red but the porter was kick ass! I might have to look for 5 but I doubt it'll be anywhere near what hops & grains does with their alt. Blonde Barleywine.... i'm intrigued.

 

The red was my favorite, but haven't touched it for the last couple months thinking the hops are fading too much.

 

Yeah, you must have. When I got it, I thought it was one of the hoppiest reds I've ever had.

I drannk my last dry-hopped porter a few nights ago. Fresh I thought it was too hoppy for a porter. The last one I had the hops were falling off and I actually liked it more. Tasted more similar to Saint Arnold Icon Blue (which I'm a fan of).

 

I saw #4 weeks before I saw #3. No idea why. Maybe because the even numbers have a longer shelf life?

 

Was not a big fan of anyting but the Quad actually. Porter was good for what i was, just not my cup o tea as no porter should be hoppy. *(but knowing it was a DRY HOPPED PORTER i knew it would be and in that respect it fit the style great, just not for me).

Havent seen the alt or barleywine.

 

They need to shut up and bottle Scots Gone Wild forever. Yes that's my professional opinion.

I want to hook a 24/7 IV of SGW into my body...


Also I liked the black quad for what it was.

 

YES. Always and forever.

 

I loved the black quad. Interesting roasty take on a quad. The porter was good, and imp red was good. The Herc hopped thing was not good. I guess I just hate that hop, and they blasted you in the FACE with it.

Haven't seen either 5 or 6 dammit. Looking forward to both!

 

IMHO Mysterium Verum is just a fun side project for them. The real $$$$$$$ for them is in selling large quantities of stainless-fermented beer in bottles, cans, and kegs. Mostly Fireman's 4.

It would take a lot of money, time, effort, and space to expand their barrel program to the point that they could bottle it. Time better spent on Fireman's 4! That aint a bad thing necessarily... Fireman's 4 is an excellent lawnmower beer and good gateway to craft beer for locals and allows them to do things like Brewer's Cut.

 

BTW: Someone needs to put the idea of barrel-aging their Black Quad in bourbon barrels in their heads.

 

But is Firemans 4 really a gateway beer? Most breweries starting out come up with simple, tasty beers to win over new customers and also is a beer that's relatively cheap to make, right? Or do breweries usually start off doing Double IPA's fermented with yeast cultivated from a Sherpa's nose, and then aged for a year in oak barrels?

 

I think you answerd your own question. IMO Firemans 4 is a gateway beer and I think you somewhat defined gateway beer with your statement "simple, tasty beers to win over new customers".

 

This. Firemans has always been well received by my friends who haven't really ventured into Texas Craft. I don't know if there's a better example of a Texas gateway brew.

 

I always thought gateway meant more of a craft beer that isn't really all that great, but it gets people interested in trying new craft betters that are "better" if you will.

 

I don't think there is a definitive definition of a gateway beer. I think you're on target, minus it being a beer that isn't that great. I would think the opposite, something that is good and a step up from BMC but not something overly aggressive that will turn them off.

Typically, I think lighter beers in color and taste beers tend to be gateway beers more than darker ones due to the misconceptions and stereotypes of darker beers amongst BMC drinkers (ie dark beers are higher in alcohol or more filling). Yet I can give them a Kostritzer that tastes lighter and is less filling then half of the light beers out there...I digress.

You never know though, the other night I gave my BMC friend and his gf sours, BA stouts, non BA stouts, etc and they liked them all minus the IPA's. It's so subjective. You may find a girl (or guy) that drinks BMC and doesnt like Firemans but loves New Glarus Raspberry Tart or Belgian Red.