The Substance

[quoit at Salvage

Had it at Salvage BBQ on tap a month ago in Portland. Everyone saying it'll be the Heady of Maine. Can't really substantiate that notion but give it time...

 

I've had it several times now. It is a solid IPA, and the 4 can pack for $12 is a pretty good price. That said, it seems like a pretty standard, run of the mill IPA. Its delicious and I plan on buying it, but lets not go putting it on par with Heady.

 

Haven't had it out of the can, but had one of the first kegs on draft commercially. It's very good. But it's not Heady Topper level, and it's also not a DIPA so I'm not sure why that comparison is being drawn. I would compare it (not in flavor, but in quality) to Wormtown Be Hoppy, which is not an insult. However, I think, for example, that Lunch is better. However, a $3 16 oz can of it vs. a $6 dollar (generous!) 16.9 oz bottle of Lunch - I know what I'm buying.

Pleased that there is now a good, local canned IPA available in Maine at a good price point! Love me some Marshall Wharf, but a $12 4pk instead of a $20 4pk is nice.

 

100% agree. The price-point on this beer is spectacular and might just help take it from "treat" to a "regular buy" for me.

 

Agree that Heady doesn't need to be part of this discussion - BBB and this beer don't need/deserve a direct comparison to the best hoppy beer in the region right out the gate.

I definitely do not consider The Substance to be just a "Run-of-the-Mill" IPA though when compared to the many other regularly available IPA offerings in Maine... Instead I'd say that (at least for now) it's well above the average IPA produced in New England, and especially across the many many new brewers these last few years. Wouldn't hesitate to have 4-5 of these across 4-5 different locations (at least, this stuff is everywhere) when I'm in Portland.

Really like this beer - Well done guys. Need some 4-packs ASAP

 

Any idea what kind of yeast they are using?

 

Its very, very good....and ridiculously drinkable.

It's not Heady. It's not trying to be. It's not an IIPA, and not even marketed as an IPA -- I think "hoppy pale" is what they're calling it. But, I'd say it's definitely in the upper tier of craft beers, far above "run of the mill" IPAs...a category that would include Shipyard/Grittys/Gearys/Baxter IPAs. It's not those.

 

What are the thoughts on drinking it from a can? Same science behind Heady or do most feel the need to pour it into a glass? I was never sure if the Heady reasoning was the same for most canned craft beers.

 

Interesting the comps that you chose. I would compare "The Substance" to SNPA, Sierra Nevada Torpedo, MBC Peeper, and MBC Lunch. I realize that two of those are not local, but I think the flavor profile is very similar.

I think the success of "The Substance" depends less on its quality, and more upon its packaging. At $12 for a 4pk of 16oz, it would fill a hole in the Maine market that no one else has tried to exploit. I for one am tired of seeing $20 MW 4pk of 16oz cans, it is a mark-up they have been able to hold on to due to a lack of competition.

I like "The Substance" and will buy it, but it is NOT the best IPA being produced in Maine (either MBC Lunch or MBC Peeper, take your pick) but its packaging is unique.

 

Peeper is not an IPA. Just saying!

 

So are you saying that beers like MBC Lunch are also "pretty standard, run of the mill" IPAs? I just wouldn't describe either beer like that... I need access to your beer cellar and local distribution immediately if those are the run of the mill IPAs.

 

I chose those comps because you said "run of the mill" IPA - and that's what those are. Peeper isn't even an IPA, and Lunch is far from "run of the mill".

 

I had this once and wouldn't compare it to Lunch or Peeper at all. I thought The Substance was quite thin and over-carbonated. Maybe there was something wrong with the keg, but I had a really negative impression of it. I had also had quite a few by that time, so I'm willing to admit that I could be wrong. Still, the price seems quite high to me based on what I remember.

 

I would say Lunch is the better beer but it's not that big of a difference. Considering Substance is $12 per 4 pack of 16 oz cans instead of $7-8 for a single 16.9 oz bottle of Lunch I will be choosing Substance every time and twice on Sundays. Do what's right.

 

Had the same experience after spending the day at MBC drinking Another One and Lunch...Went to Bier Cellar and an entire four shelf cooler of this had disappeared in one day but was informed the truck was showing up in ten minutes. Waited for the truck to show up and grabbed a four pack to split with my two buddies and all of us were disappointed. Really just thought it lacked in about every category and I wanted for it to be awesome haha. Have one more chillin in the fridge so I'm going to give it another shot maybe with lowered expectations I'll appreciate it more...

 

This is why I should never post past mid-night. I have re-read my post several times and even I have no idea what I was trying to say.

I am looking forward to buying a 4pk of the substance and suspect it will not be a one time buy.


Cheers.

 

Have had it on-tap a few times now. Thought it was relatively clean and pleasantly hoppy. Pricepoint is fair. Not a world-beater but a solid pale.

Peeper is a pretty good comparison. The Substance has a bit more of the heavier hop oil flavors ("dank" if you will) and more oomph overall, but not without staying pretty light and drinkable. Peeper is cleaner and more refreshing to my palate.

 

Threw my last can of this into a tulip glass last night not having anything else before it and I had a much better experience overall. It had some nice citrus with some pretty consistant resiny hop in the background, one thing that I felt helped was to not have it too cold. Seems like if it's too cold the carbonation is too much and mouthfeel is really thin...If you let this sit for a couple minutes out of the fridge I think it reveals a lot more flavors, prefered it in a glass as well. I would say overall don't expect too much from it, it's a great drinking pale none the less that if I were able to attain it readily I would probably drink pretty often.

 

Can anyone confirm if this is seeing distro in Kittery? Carl's?