Rebel Raw is back

I had this batch last night. IMO seems similar to how you described the last batch. Bit boozy, and the hops don't seem to have any specific "character" e.g citrus, earthy, etc. It is not a bad brew though, definitely a big, bitter DIPA with a nice malt background.

 

It was fun to try last year to see what Sam Adams could do with this style, but I won't be buying it again. There are too many other easily accessible and better beers on our shelves

 

Actually the Rebel Raw for me confirmed that Sam Adams doesn't give one shit about what they produce, so long as folks are willing to buy it for the label. I've said it before, I really wanted to like the Rebel and the Rebel Raw as it meant I could find something decent at more bars. No such luck.

 

It's a hoppy beast for sure. I was amazed when I saw on the shelves here in NH only 3 days old, I've never found a NH made beer that fresh. Options for uber-fresh IIPA's are a bit errr.. limited here in NH so it will be good in a pinch for a hop fix.

 

I've seen Great North a day or two old, and obviously you can find some of the nanos like From the Barrel that fresh.

 

I was curious to try this beer and I got as far as the 10% ABV before deciding against it. Maybe it's me but that's just way too high for the style they're theoretically trying to emulate.

 

Just killed my 4 pack, probably not going back. Maybe I'm alone on this but Sam Adams products generally give me tremendous gas. I mean like stomach gurgling wake you up at night gas. This one is the same. It's not bad, I don't think its particularly boozy but the flavors are absent. It's kinda dull.

 

My girlfriend's description "it tastes like all the hops are angry." That pretty much nails it. For all the hops they put in it, none of them work together.

 

Yeah and then why are they talking about it having a 35 day shelf life? A 10% IPA with seven pounds of hops per barrel in my experience needs like 35 days just to condition. It feels like they tacked that on because, hey, people like Enjoy By, let's copy that. And Heady, let's copy Heady. But, you know, make it bigger. It's like the Poochie (warning, youtube link) of IPAs.

 

The funny thing is the trends they try to emulate seem to be one full step behind the times. I think today's trend (which isn't even new anymore) is about tropical juice profiles with low bitterness and a soft mouthfeel...the exact opposite of this huge, raw, behemoth of an IPA. Maybe they'll make a black ipa next...

 

Rebel Juiced on the way to answer your prayers.

 

I was glad to see this rough around the edges beer back on the shelf. Is it messy and boozy? Hell yes. But sometimes, I don't want a Trillium / Treehouse-like beer. I want something that punches.

Horses for courses.

 

Having missed the latest Beelzebub batch, I'd love this. Still haven't found a great Cascadian Dark / Black IPA / American Stout on the local shelves to fill that void.

 

Norweald Stout by Banded Horn is along those lines and pretty solid imo.

 

Wookie Jack was one of the best but no one bought it.

 

Jack's Abby made an outstanding one but they discontinued it 2-3 years ago.