ZD vs. Sidekick

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by MarshMan71, May 1, 2013.

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  1. MarshMan71

    MarshMan71 Initiate (0) Jul 17, 2012 Illinois

    I am generally opposed to these type of scenarios, I just happened to be in one of the best liqueur stores for me IMO which is about 45 min's away. Ludeen's in Dekalb, IL ( if any of you know it ) They are the closest place that sells FFF, Revolution, Pipeworks, Ale Smith, etc
    So I make my pilgrimage to pick up some hard to finds for my area as usual. Also hoping to score the elusive ZD.
    I walk to the FFF area, and there is a big sign right there that says if your looking for ZD you'll LOVE Sidekick. ( forgot to take a photo BTW ) Now I personally have never had ZD but I have had Sidekick and it is pretty stellar IMO. so my question to you all is of course those of you who have had both how do they compare ? and is Sidekick a suitable alternative to the elusive ZD, I can find Sidekick almost anywhere also the Two Bros. Brewery is only about hour 1/2 from my place.
    I actually talked to Adam Ludeen the one who orders about the sign and he proceeds to tell me that everyone that comes in now grabs Sidekick and that ZD is over hyped and they have such a hard time getting it in. Im trying to wrap my head around all this but I grabbed my $80 bucks worth of bombers and 6'ers and left thinking id bring it to you all. **** Discuss ****
     
    #1 MarshMan71, May 1, 2013
  2. BogBoyJD

    BogBoyJD Initiate (0) Feb 1, 2012 Ireland
    Trader

    Zombie Dust. No question. Pointless
     
    #2 BogBoyJD, May 1, 2013
  3. Infinite1

    Infinite1 Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2010 Illinois

    Two Brothers SideKick doesn't come close to Zombie Dust
     
    #3 Infinite1, May 1, 2013
    Nachos4two likes this.
  4. Pahn

    Pahn Initiate (0) Dec 2, 2009 New York

    love ZD, never had sidekick.

    is sidekick made with citra hops? are the bottles [edit: cans] dated? does it move fast enough that you know you'll get a fresh bottle [edit: can]? if all yes, good chance it's a good alternative. if no to (at least) the first and last question, chances are it's not a good alternative.
     
    #4 Pahn, May 1, 2013
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  5. Infinite1

    Infinite1 Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2010 Illinois

    Sidekck comes in cans. Give me a Daisy Cutter any day
     
    #5 Infinite1, May 1, 2013
    Wolfhead, WestSideAmish and mecummins like this.
  6. BB1313

    BB1313 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,290) Jul 16, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sidekick is a really nice APA, but it's no Zombie Dust IPA..
     
    #6 BB1313, May 1, 2013
    mfnmbvp and MarshMan71 like this.
  7. atomic

    atomic Pundit (945) Sep 22, 2009 Illinois

    Was never impressed with Sidekick...
    ZD is amazing though. The more you drink it, the better it gets.
     
    #7 atomic, May 1, 2013
  8. mechamifune

    mechamifune Initiate (0) Jan 26, 2008 North Carolina

    Not even close....sidekick isn't a bad beer, but it isn't even close
     
    #8 mechamifune, May 1, 2013
  9. MikeEhrmantraut

    MikeEhrmantraut Initiate (0) Aug 28, 2012 Tennessee

    Does the owner receive incentives for pushing this product in particular? Maybe a free case on 5 or somesuch?
     
    #9 MikeEhrmantraut, May 1, 2013
  10. dagmer

    dagmer Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Illinois

    Sidekick is a great, easy drinking beer but it is as similiar to Zombie Dust as ZD is too Daisy Cutter which means no they aren't similiar. I'm glad I have access to all 3.
     
    #10 dagmer, May 1, 2013
  11. MarshMan71

    MarshMan71 Initiate (0) Jul 17, 2012 Illinois

    you know you may be onto something, because the last 2 times I was in there I didnt see anything, this time also there was a big sale on Two Bros everything ... and I wonder if there was a " PUSH " or as you say incentive to move their beer. I do kick myself for not picking up a bottle of the 16th Anniv from 2 bros. and im telling you SideKick is pretty darn good. I just personally cant compare it yet.
     
    #11 MarshMan71, May 1, 2013
  12. Infinite1

    Infinite1 Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2010 Illinois

    Sidekick is a fine summer beer, but it's just that FINE
     
    #12 Infinite1, May 1, 2013
  13. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sidekick is a tasty session PA light with fruity/citrus hops
    Zombie Dust is an in you face citra hopped APA no Comparison at all
     
    #13 gatornation, May 1, 2013
  14. mecummins

    mecummins Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2012 Illinois

    Sidekick is OK and I wouldn't turn my nose up at it if offered to me, but I've never found it particularly special (and I like Two brothers as a brewery over all). Zombie Dust has a depth to it that I don't taste in Sidekick.
     
    #14 mecummins, May 1, 2013
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  15. Pidzik12

    Pidzik12 Initiate (0) Apr 10, 2013 Illinois

    i gotta agree with every other person here. The two do not compare. Grab a cold can and grab a cold fresh bottle. Do a blind taste if youd like. Zombie is hyped up a lot, but for the reason of being the best APA ive had.
     
    #15 Pidzik12, May 1, 2013
  16. mfnmbvp

    mfnmbvp Pooh-Bah (2,581) Nov 28, 2012 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    While I agree that Zombie Dust might be (slightly) overrated, SideKick doesn't even come close. Sounds like these guys just have a hard time getting their hands on it, and are trying to push their Two Brothers shit which is probably easier for them to get.
     
    #16 mfnmbvp, May 1, 2013
  17. Infinite1

    Infinite1 Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2010 Illinois

    Just like I see stores advertising "If you like GumballHead, you'll love Boulevard 80 Acre"
     
    #17 Infinite1, May 1, 2013
  18. GuzzLah

    GuzzLah Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2013 Illinois

    This is what the brewer says about Sidekick:

    It’s crisp and delicate with a touch of sweet malt. There’s a nice balance of citrus, melon, and strawberry, and it finishes with just enough bitterness to remind you you’re drinking a pale ale.

    Doesn't sound similar to ZD.
     
    #18 GuzzLah, May 1, 2013
  19. Frankinstiener

    Frankinstiener Initiate (0) Jul 28, 2009 Illinois

    Yes the cans are dated, and yes its extremely fresh around here. As for the citra, I would guess that Sidekick may have some citra but don't think it's even a single hop beer. Wouldn't be surprised if there was some Simcoe too. Sidekick is a good amount lower in both ABV and IBU than ZD. I really enjoyed Sidekick, and mentioned in my review that I think its the perfect beer for cans. Its an easy drinker but you still get your citrus hop fix but with very little bitterness, great for summer. That said, it is not very similar to Zombie Dust at all. But, since Zombie Dust is rarely available anywhere besides the brewery, I don't think anyone is going to have to pick between the two anytime soon. So yeah go pick up some Sidekick unless you live close to FFF. I live 45 min from FFF but two minutes from a grocery that stocks fresh Sidekick. So, I see lots of Sidekick out in the hot sun in my future.
     
    #19 Frankinstiener, May 1, 2013
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  20. MarshMan71

    MarshMan71 Initiate (0) Jul 17, 2012 Illinois

    This has pretty much been my conclusion that they don't compare. As I said when they put a sign out Id hope they could back it up a bit more than everyone's buying this now..... that's why this community is so great.

    I do have to also admit there are a few beers here that really arnt all stars ( Overhyped ) There seems to be alot of uneducated palates that just seem to chase and jump on the bandwagon .. " Yup that's good cause everyone says its good " I've done blind taste's with some of my fellow die hard hop head friends and when blind they cant distinguish adjunct from quality craft. kinda funny. I love doing blind tastes. that's when the palate and senses really do their magic if it is truly refined.
     
    #20 MarshMan71, May 1, 2013
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