Saranac starting to improve

Say what now?

 

I'm guessing he a word.

Probably meant to say "a bad beer by Saranac"

 

Yeah, I know. Just some light shenanigans, is all.

 

People on this site generally tend to have a bias against national distributed craft beers that are easy to find (such as grocery stores), call it the beer snob mentality I guess. But I've always thought that most of Saranac's beers were enjoyable and I've had probably 20 different. Only a few really stood out, but considering its almost the same price as Bud Light, you really can't go wrong.

 

They really do have a solid lineup, which is no surprise since they have Rich Michaels, formally of Founders and developer of Centennial IPA. So far they thrive on producing lower cost, non offensive brews. Yes they do not have a top 100 yet, but I think it's just a matter of time.

 

To be frank, I think your perspective is backwards. It is not necessarily the end goal of every craft brewery out there to make every single beer in their lineup one of the highest-regarded examples of that style, according to the mores of craft beer communities such as this.

Random example, look at Ithaca Brewing Co. Yes, Flower Power has a lot of following and is a great example of the style, and yes Brute is probably going to reach super-whale status since it's no longer brewed, but Apricot Wheat is their biggest seller. Saying that they're making it "pretty plain and nothing substantial on purpose" is missing the fact that most of these beers are being made with accessibility, smoothness, and drinkability in mind above all else. One person's plain, insubstantial beer is another person's dream beer: easy to drink, flavorful, easy to find, and not ridiculously expensive. Doesn't that make it a fantastic beer, then, from that perspective?

Point is, it may not be to your liking, but for a lot of other people (and evidently, shitloads of them) it is the all-around best brewery they can find. And personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with that, at all.

 

Ah. Well, okay then. No worries!

 

I was never impressed and always thought their beers were lackluster. I wish they had a couple that would be solid but I stayed away because they'd be meh.

 

Always loved Black Forest, I was drinking it and Guinness extra stout, before I got into full on craft. I thought their Imperial Stout was great and a steal for the price. I've tried a lot of their beers and found the majority to be blah, but once in awhile you hit upon a gem, and their prices are so reasonable it is well worth the hunt. I've heard good things about the White IPA; I will have to try it.

 

Buddy of mine introduced me to it a few years back. Always enjoyed it especially the Black Forest and Brown Moose. Good for a change of pace

 

Saranac's variety packs are staples at any holiday party in NY. Beer nerds and casual drinkers both enjoy cracking into them.

Their brewery is great too. Gotta love Saranac Thursday events. They do an annual golden ticket event too where they invite a few lucky customers to a dinner and tour of the facilities. They really know how to treat their community and customers.

 

True, the Saranac Thursdays series is pretty solid. Coming from the Utica area, it's nice to know that there's still stuff going on in that town.

 

Have always enjoyed their Pale Ale. But love their Imperial IPA! Top notch! Beer on!

 

I've never been a huge fan of Saranac, but I do like their Pumpkin Ale. I haven't tried any of their new IPAs and newer stuff, but I'd definitely be open to it..

 

I wish it was the same (or almost the same) price as bud light. Where I live, in NY, it's $3 or $4 more a 6pk. I seem to remember, a few years ago, Saranac was priced only a couple of dollars more than BMC beers. But now, when I see that Sierra Nevada is almost the same as Saranac, I will buy that.
I do like the white IPA and the winter variety packs though.

 

Really? I live in WV and just paid $14 for the new winter 12 pack.

 

That sounds about right for the winter 12pk. (Bud is about $10? a 12pk.) But around here Sierra Nevada is $15, so I'll buy that most of the time.

 

Yeah, the town I live in tends to be a bit higher than other parts of the state. When I lived in a college town, you could get Saranac 12packs for $12.59. That's when I started drinking Saranac actually.