Slate: Against Hoppy Beer

Nonsense

 

I think the writer got the wrong message from his experience with his friend at the brewery. It should be, 'If people have only been drinking BMC, don't start them off with a really hoppy beer'. Not 'Don't focus on hoppy beers'.

 

The problem is that we're giving credence to an article published on Slate, a website who's #1 goal is the publish sensational, contrarian pieces like "Everybody loves The Godfather, here's why they're all idiots." The article was complaining about hoppy beers simply for the sake of putting forward an opinion which will piss off some people.

 

I get what the author is trying to say. Whenever I review a non-hoppy beer, I'll put "mild hop presence" when, in reality, someone with a palate that's not as used to hops would perceive it more as moderate or higher. So I'm in agreement there. However, I find issue with the last two paragraphs of the article. Hops are not a pointless gimmick and plenty of consumers and brewers are already experimenting with wild, cultivated and "new" yeast strains. Most breweries purposefully make sure to have a variety of non-hoppy beers for those who don't like bitter flavors to make for an easier transition from BMC/common imports to craft.

Also, what's been previously posted in this thread about young people who are first getting into beer and are seeking out or are drawn to hop flavors I agree with, but only to a point. I would say about half the time I'm talking to someone my age or younger than me (I'm 27) who's starting to get into craft, they don't like hoppy beers. And with the other half, if they say they do like hoppy beers, in the same breath almost every time they say "but not too hoppy." I used to be the same way. Beers like Shipyard XXXX IPA and Lagunitas Hop Stoopid were way too much for me. Now, they almost seem to be not enough for my hop-addicted self. The point is, hops are an acquired taste, so to automatically steer people away from hoppy beers if they don't like them initially can be a big mistake. My girlfriend doesn't like hoppy beers, she actually used to despise them. But, instead of just being like "Well, I guess you don't like hops. I'll never offer a sip of an IPA again," I've had her try most of the hoppy beers I'm having at any given moment. And whaddya know? Now she really likes A Lil' Sumpin Sumpin, Mikkeller 20 and even NOLA Mechahopzilla because her palate has slowly become acclimated to hops. Plus, if I look at my experience with sours, I used to strongly dislike them. But sure enough, rather than giving up, I tried more and more and my palate has come around once I found that I love Flanders Reds like Duchesse, Rodenbach and Cuvee des Jacobins. I understand that the author of the article was referring to an experienced homebrewer who has already decided that he doesn't enjoy accentuated hop flavors but, when referring to novices and "Bud Light fans," I say keep it up with the hoppy beers. Some need the repeated exposure before they realize they absolutely love it while others, if it's just not for them, will come to realize it after many tries. People (as much as some on this site would like to think it) are not sheep. If they don't like something, they won't drink it, no matter how popular it is. Nothing in America's beer culture needs to change in order to accommodate non-hopheads.

 

All beers have something good about them.period.

 

Even beer with clam juice and lime in it?

 

Are you counting appearance? Because I've had beers that were purely undrinkable. Stone Punishment comes to mind. Not one single thing about that beer was even the tiniest bit enjoyable. I took one sip - just one sip - and poured out the rest of my serving. Absolutely disgusting. And at that point, I'd call the appearance moot.

 

I guess that's true...I heard that was a bad one.But the title "beer" is still good

 

Tbh I wouldn't knock it till I tried it.

 

Yuck, your welcome to my share, and I like clams.

 

Flying Dog Oyster Stout? Stick a lime in it and there you go.

 

Seems to me the hot styles right now are wild ales, farmhouse ales, Berliners, barrel aged stouts and barleywines, smoked beers, lambics, brett beer, and delicate, highly drinkable IPAs with Citra and Mosaic. I don't remember the last time I had an IPA that pummeled me.

 

OK. I think you'd have to be a bit foolish not to realize that hoppy beers are extremely popular amongst craft beer enthusiasts. It's also very clear that the article hit some soar spots. However, even I like to get my hands on a good PA or IPA now and again. Hoppy beers are hot right now, and will be for some time until another ingredient is developed that can dwarf it . I agree that the craft seen is saturated with a love for hops. But who are we kidding? You have to give the people what they want. Bottom line. If you're tired of overly hoppy beer, stop drinking it for a while. Makes it taste much better IMO.

 

The beer world shouldn't change their opinion or use of hops because some guy thinks an English Session beer is too hoppy. There is just no helping him.

 

Well the headline grabbed your attention, so I guess it worked. It's a sensationalist headline.. but why get ruffled by it?

Rarr me see headline, person say hoppy beer awful, me get angry go on Internet and get mad.. rarr

Who cares really if thats your bag? People drink what they like, and as I have always said.. you can lead a horse to water.. but...

 

Bullsh*t article. There are PLEEEEENTY of brews with little to no hops.

 

I'm not going to read that... accept to say. You guys SHOULD drink more cups of yeast and syrup. Maybe I would be able to get more of the good stuff.

Seriously, there are a lot of people IN THE INDUSTRY who would love to see you drink cups of yeast mixed with syrup and spices to cover up the beer. Because hops are expensive! More profit margin that way.

 

I think her reference to Bud Lite as "horse piss" is insulting to horses everywhere.

 

Is he augmenting that craft breweries should change their beers so that they would appeal to Bud Light drinkers?

Should Cantillon make beer that will appeal more to pale lager drinkers?

Should Noma start cooking for people who prefer McDonalds?

There are plenty of specialty beers with less over hop profiles, if you don’t like IPA, just don’t drink them. If you don’t like the cooking at Noma, just don’t go there.

 

This is the prototypical Slate article: attention grabbing headline followed by interesting and fairly well informed article only to end with an unsupported out of left field conclusion.

Craft beer is alienating people? Let's turn to hipsterish pretensions like beard yeast! We might win over Bud Light drinkers. Not likely.