Southern Tier Brewing updates 3 highly rated ales

Wow, I used to really love simcoe, so I'll have to revisit 2X this year. Never cared for Gemini or UnEarthly though.

 

I'll have to keep my eye open. I would definitely like to revisit them.

However, keeping the same branding is a bit concerning. This press release isn't enough to inform the common drinker that a beer they didn't like is changing or on the bright side, their current customers might not like the changes.

 

I'm curious about Gemini and Unearthly, but with 2X, why ruin a good thing? The almost perfect balance of that DIPA is what I love about it, throwing 150% more hops on it is going to throw off that balance and turn it into what everyone else is already making. Kinda sucks, I'll try it, but I feel like 2X wont be my go to DIPA anymore.

 

Absolutely I will, I haven't had a single SoTier beer I didn't like but 2XIPA is like my secret weapon go-to DIPA that people in my area don't know about. Change can be great, I just hope that it doesn't change that ideal malt/hop balance 2X has into a hop bomb DIPA with less malt backbone than the OG had. Having said that, can't wait to try the new batches. Will have to talk to my distributor about when we will start getting the new dated cases.

 

Updated recipe/changed recipe = same beer?

Ok......

 

this was my instant reaction, but i felt the same way about resin being changed and i have seen that change does not mean ruin. i trust southern tier and will definitely try all of these.

 

I'll try them.

 

I'll take this as a good excuse to pick up each of these when I see them in 2016.

 

I think this probably happens more than you think, it just might not be advertised by certain breweries.

 

I feel your pain. Ithaca's Flower Power was my one of my all time favorite beers. Then they went and updated the recipe.
Can't stand it.

 

I trust Southern Tier enough to give em a whirl. Never too disappointed with their stuff (and usually a good value!)

 

This does bug me as well... Same thing with Jackie-O's recently with Mystic Mama I believe... Hop changes and different crystal malt amounts I believe, yet the same beer? There was a topic about that not long ago and someone from Jackie-O's confirmed the changes.

I don't think varying hop amounts only require a name change, but once you change the variety of hops, malt or even the yeast used, it deserves a new name for sure. Becomes a totally new beer.

Anyway...

I am excited to try these "new" beers from ST... Got to get back out to the brewery again this spring!

 

Oh I'm sure it happens frequently, it just annoys me is all.

EXACTLY what I was thinking of! I get that a name helps sell a beer, but come on....I am interested in trying these though.

 

As far as Mystic Mama from Jackie O's, hops changed because we could not contract out enough of certain varietals, so we have to make adjustments periodically to try and keep the product as close as we can to what we feel is true to brand. We can't stop brewing it, or change the name, because we have thousands of cans, and it is a large part of our production. As far as the malt goes, we removed 25lbs of carpils, which is 1.6% of the total grist, 15% of the specialty malt. Nothing drastic at all. Raw materials are hard to work with, especially hops. This happens very often, Jackie O's strives to be as honest and transparent with its customers as possible. The hop profile is back to the original now, anyone notice a difference?

 

Hey man, I'm not hating. I love Jackie O's and I buy your guys beer all the time. Huge supporter for sure. Totally understand that they weren't HUGE changes to the beer, but they were changes. I was also just stating that it annoys me (in general) when beers get changed (hops, malt, whatever), but are labeled as the same beer.

 

Understood, didn't take it as hating at all either. From a brewing business perspective this is something we all deal with and do from time to time. Also keep in mind that malt and hop crops can change flavor, aroma, color and extraction from year to year. Changes are also made in these respects to keep products "true to brand" as well. New equipment, staff, weather, water source, and supplier issues also effect batches from time to time to. Ultimately, we all strive to brew great beer with minimal impact on its character profile.

 

We can't get Southern Tier through legit retail channels here in SoCal, so it doesn't mean a whole lot to me. That being said, Simcoe is the "cat piss" hop to me and I try to avoid beers with a lot of it. Sounds like I'll be sticking to ST's darker brews the next time I visit their distribution area.