SOLE Artisan Ales

Kushy clouds was released last week.
Their cans seem to be in demand on the ISO/FT Thread.
Other than that I can't tell you much.

 

Good stuff. I loved their Simcoe Nerd.

 

So far Juicebox, Kushy Clouds, and Giant Juicebox were all really really delicious. Oh and Turbo Nerd. Yeah, its a legit spot.

 

I've had Simcoe Nerd, Kushy Clouds, and Juicebox. They are all tasty but I found them to be very one dimensional. Silky bodied hop juice with very little malt or bitterness for balance. Don't get me wrong, I love Tree House, Trillium, Other Half, etc and I drink them almost exclusively. To me, was an attempt to imitate the style but falling a bit flat. Sure, you need a lot of late addition hops to get those citrus notes, but you also need some balance in your malt bill and bittering.

Good stuff but not worth waiting in line for IMO. Also, I wouldn't trade any of the aforementioned breweries' beers for these.

 

When he (Joe) first launched the brand in bottles, it was easily accessible all of my local grocery stores and distributors.

Once they started doing limited canning, and setting up releases at Sabitini's and Susquehanna they hype train rolled around and you then had to wait in line.

FWIW, Joe is the head brewer at Funk Brewing in Emmaus. Not sure which system they are brewing the Sole stuff on, but to me the recent canned efforts taste like variants of some of the Funk offerings, which are good, but not at all worth the hype.

 

Agreed. I can add Clink, and Turbo Nerd to your list. They are all pretty much the same sort of one dimensional "juicy" IPA, with only subtle differences mostly due to varying ABVs. I also had Sole Member's Only cream ale, which I found very disappointing, but at least it was different.

So far I think Sole is one-trick pony, albeit it's a popular trick at the moment.

 

I love Turbo Nerd and Juicebox, but haven't had the others. Gotta jump on any cans that reach here...they sell fast.

 

I had no idea Sole transformed into a hyped brewery and switched over to cans.

when they released their first bottled beers last year, I tried all 3 varieties - Clink (pale ale), Green Life (IPA), and Artistry & Alchemy (maple stout). I thought Green Life was below average with a weird taste, and the other two were okay but not great.

 

I thought Joe *was* the head brewer at Funk before going out on his own with Sole? I went to his first release with the online tickets and stopped going after the first Kushy Clouds when people started lining up. Not knocking the beer but it blows my mind people are trading these for tree house, trillium, tired hands, etc,

 

Didn't he leave Funk to start Sole?

http://theelvee.com/?p=8142

 

beat me to it. Yeah, that's what I thought too. Although I can't find any announcement of who became the "new" head brewer at Funk.

Funny - seems like all you need to do is brew an IPA, have "limited releases" and sell the beer in 16 oz 4-packs and you've got a hit!

When Sole was sold in 12 oz bottle 6 packs at Wegmans it was ho-hum.

 

I thought Simcoe Nerd was right up there with Trillium/Tree House/Tired hands.

 

I too thought Simcoe nerd was great. Some of the others (juice box, turbo nerd) were tasty, but one dimensional like others have noted and I wouldn't wait in line for them. Simcoe was the exception IMO and I would have no issue lining up again for that beer.

 

Completely agree with this. Not to take anything away from turbo nerd and jukebox. But they lack the completeness that makes simco nerd an exceptional beer.

 

I really enjoyed Turbo Nerd and Simcoe Nerd. Juicebox and Kushy Klouds didn't get it done for me. I felt Kushy was downright bad.

The two I thoroughly enjoyed still felt a little, unfinished. Poor head and retention, little soft on the feel in a way that didn't seem intentional. Seems like they are on their way but still figuring it out. One mans opinion.

 

Yes on line shares.

 

I heard there is 250 cases if that helps. Used to be able to get there an hour early and be fine. Now, I'm not so sure.

 

My brother went to the Giant Juice box release at 10:00 and said he got one of the last 6 cases. You might want to plan on at least 9:00.

 

If you're there at 5am, you'll get your case. At least I'd wager.

 

So you don't come back and give us a report?

What time did you get there?
How was the line?
More importantly, how was the beer?

 

One day I would like to have the lifestyle that allows for 5 hours to wait for beer.

 

I agree, but then realized there's still a ton of things I'd rather do than sit in line for beer. Hell, I'd rather mow my yard than wait for beer

 

High on Giant Juicebox and Citra Nerd
Ehh on Juicebox and regular Turbo Nerd

 

I've only had the Spliff on tap (Hunger-n-Thirst) and thought it pretty good. Fred Maier (SBC) didn't think it was too different from their Goldencold; most dry hopping. I'd be interested knowing where else they brew stateside.

 

Do people still really stand in line for multiple hours for beer? That was so 2014.

 

Any word on the reason for the name change to Juicebox/Giant Juicebox? Is it because it's a different recipe or is there something else going on with another brewery?

 

Maybe trouble from TTB?

I could see someone complaining about an alcoholic product with the label "Juicebox" on it. Think of all the children that will crack open a tallboy, thinking it was Hi-C!

 

There is a California brewery Dude that has a Juicebox series. Maybe they sent a c&d.

 

Not sure, but it seems that is the trend lately, to slightly change the name for a slight change in the recipe. Veil seemed to have started it.

 

Yeah, that's probably it. They have it registered.

JuiceBox Series®
http://thedudesbrew.com/our-brews/
https://trademarks.justia.com/865/28/juicebox-86528602.html

 

Interesting because I was just reading BA mag today at lunch and Great Notion Brewing was featured and it mentioned their Juice Box series of beers....

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/41869/187090/

 

Wow that sounds pretty good

I'm still betting that Dudes sent a Cease and desist. I expect Great Notion will get one next. If Dudes wants to keep their trademark they have to protect it. The cost of litigating these things can put a brewery out of business.

 

I'm thinking since it's a new riff on the Juicebox beer it received a modified name but same can art...a little bit different but still in a similar vein. I think some of you are looking too much into this

 

Ooohhh why didn't we start there? Didn't see that, thanks Sammy. Could mean a few things but I get it now. Foot, meet mouth