What has changed, my tastebuds or Bigfoot?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by emillner, Feb 28, 2013.

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  1. emillner

    emillner Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2004 Virginia

    My impression is that Bigfoot is not as hoppy as it was in 2004 when I first tried it. Back then I thought that drinking 12 oz. was ripping skin off of my tongue from the hops. Now the experience is more subdued - plenty of hops but not the aggressive monster I remember. I am wondering if my tastebuds are changing because I am older or have grown more accustomed to hops or is SN doing something to make the hops more mellow. Any thoughts?
     
    #1 emillner, Feb 28, 2013
  2. JuliusCaesar

    JuliusCaesar Initiate (0) Feb 18, 2013 New Hampshire

    I'm drinking one right now and it's definitely not that hoppy. I think it's really balanced
     
    #2 JuliusCaesar, Feb 28, 2013
  3. kell50

    kell50 Pooh-Bah (2,334) Jul 25, 2007 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    I think the Bigfoot recipe has gotten better. Totally believe this beer needs a little age. After a year or two.. It's an amazingly balanced, flavorful Barleywine.
     
    #3 kell50, Feb 28, 2013
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  4. Groomsy

    Groomsy Initiate (0) Sep 23, 2010 Kentucky

    I noticed the exact same thing when I bought the most recent release of Bigfoot. The first time I had it (2010 or 2011, can't remember for sure), I could have gotten the same effect by drinking pine sap with grapefruit juice. It was a super fresh batch, which probably contributed to the bitterness as well.

    This year's batch, to my palate, is much more balanced than what I've experienced in the past. The hops are definitely still here, but just not as prominent. Either way, I really think it will become more balanced after a year in my coat closet, hahaha.
     
    #4 Groomsy, Feb 28, 2013
    highdesertdrinker likes this.
  5. T-RO

    T-RO Pundit (886) Nov 9, 2012 New Hampshire
    Society Trader

    This is the first time I've had it. I find it very bitter, not what I think of a barleywine. Will put rest away for awhile.
     
    #5 T-RO, Feb 28, 2013
  6. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Answer is above
     
    #6 Providence, Feb 28, 2013
  7. kzoobrew

    kzoobrew Initiate (0) May 8, 2006 Michigan

    It is always a safer bet to say your palate changes more than the beer. Yes, there are agricultural variances with the ingredients and recipes can change, but these differences are much more negligible than the difference in ones palate.
     
    #7 kzoobrew, Feb 28, 2013
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  8. Jonada

    Jonada Savant (1,174) May 23, 2012 New Jersey
    Trader

    I'd wager a guess that it's just your palate changing. Speaking from personal experience, when I first started drinking craft beer, I thought SNPA and Sam Adams Boston Lager were both hop bombs. Now, obviously, not so much.
     
    #8 Jonada, Feb 28, 2013
    highdesertdrinker likes this.
  9. DrStiffington

    DrStiffington Grand Pooh-Bah (3,740) Oct 27, 2010 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Fresh Bigfoot is somewhat more hoppy and bitter. I did a side by side comparison of 2011 and 2013. The aged one was more balanced. But...I remember thinking the same as you a few years back. I think your palate has changed.
     
    #9 DrStiffington, Feb 28, 2013
  10. JuniperJesus

    JuniperJesus Pundit (805) Feb 26, 2011 Illinois

    Is Bigfoot cloudy? I just bought a 6 pack of 2012 and it's cloudy.
     
    #10 JuniperJesus, Feb 28, 2013
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