Random Beer Thoughts

[MikeJones]

I have a theory that astringent flavors in IPAs will go away if you fluctuate the temperature of the bottles from cold to room temp to cold again.

I was at Parish Brewing on Friday and picked up a couple packs of their pale ale Envie that were bottled earlier that day and a few packs of their DIPA Ghost in the Machine that were bottled 2-26. I opened a few of each that night and they had this astringency that wasn’t overwhelming but definitely there. Today those bottles are back in the fridge after spending all of yesterday until 4pm today and there is no off flavor at all. Either it’s crazy bottle variation which is unlikely from bottles that were bottled and sold at the brewery, or I have cracked the astringent code.

Thanks for reading!

You need to crack another of each to test it out. Or run a blind triangle next time.

 

[falc0n26001]

I have a theory that astringent flavors in IPAs will go away if you fluctuate the temperature of the bottles from cold to room temp to cold again.

I was at Parish Brewing on Friday and picked up a couple packs of their pale ale Envie that were bottled earlier that day and a few packs of their DIPA Ghost in the Machine that were bottled 2-26. I opened a few of each that night and they had this astringency that wasn’t overwhelming but definitely there. Today those bottles are back in the fridge after spending all of yesterday until 4pm today and there is no off flavor at all. Either it’s crazy bottle variation which is unlikely from bottles that were bottled and sold at the brewery, or I have cracked the astringent code.

Thanks for reading!

I’m not sure if it’s what you mean, but I’ve had IPAs that tasted a bit vegetal/green, not unlike some very fresh, overly hopped home brew I’ve tried before. Specifically the places I’ve tasted this have been all world class breweries, specifically Alesmith, Sante Adairius, and Hill Farmstead. In each case, I got growlers and waited about three days, and the weird taste had gone away every time.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

Personally, I think what both falc0n2600 and jbeezification are describing has more to do with really fresh beer needing a little more time to condition, but don't necessarily have proof aside from anecdotal evidence.

Hop forward beers that I tend to grab from local breweries (3 Floyd's especially) the day or two after packaging were almost universally better about 3-5 days later than they were super fresh. I wouldn't describe the initial character as astringent, but more like the overly vegetal / hop pellet / harsh bitterness that was mentioned.

No variables changing other than time as I tend to keep anything hop forward refrigerated.

 

[jbeezification1]

You need to crack another of each to test it out. Or run a blind triangle next time.

One variable I didn’t consider is consuming the beers in the state of Texas. Maybe these batches just work better on this side of the border.

Damn science is hard.

 

[jbeezification1]

I’m not sure if it’s what you mean, but I’ve had IPAs that tasted a bit vegetal/green, not unlike some very fresh, overly hopped home brew I’ve tried before. Specifically the places I’ve tasted this have been all world class breweries, specifically Alesmith, Sante Adairius, and Hill Farmstead. In each case, I got growlers and waited about three days, and the weird taste had gone away every time.

Personally, I think what both falc0n2600 and jbeezification are describing has more to do with really fresh beer needing a little more time to condition, but don't necessarily have proof aside from anecdotal evidence.

Hop forward beers that I tend to grab from local breweries (3 Floyd's especially) the day or two after packaging were almost universally better about 3-5 days later than they were super fresh. I wouldn't describe the initial character as astringent, but more like the overly vegetal / hop pellet / harsh bitterness that was mentioned.

No variables changing other than time as I tend to keep anything hop forward refrigerated.

The astringency I’m referring to is prominent in hazy ipas I’ve had over the last couple years. I don’t know any other way to describe it but I’ve never gotten that from ipas until this haze **** took over.

 

[capnmike]

The astringency I’m referring to is prominent in hazy ipas I’ve had over the last couple years. I don’t know any other way to describe it but I’ve never gotten that from ipas until this haze **** took over.

I’ve always thought of that (or maybe heard it referred to) as “hop burn” - I ticked a mango milkshake NEIPA here in town, and the last 1/4 can was undrinkable from exactly what you describe.

“You gotta roll it before opening, bro.”

 

[pjs234]

I’ve always thought of that (or maybe heard it referred to) as “hop burn” - I ticked a mango milkshake NEIPA here in town, and the last 1/4 can was undrinkable from exactly what you describe.

“You gotta roll it before opening, bro.”

This one local brewery ****** up my sensativity to hop burn... got a crowler of this reasonably hazy ipa from them, let is sit in the fridge for a week, first pour was clear and tasted fine... second pour was was like hop sludge, really gross looking. Tried a sip and it burned, it was completely undrinkable. Every since then, i have been overly sensative to hop burn, even for beers where i nevered noticed it before, i do now and find them un-enjoyable.

 

[JulianB1]

Hop burn/yeast astringency/etc is, to me at least, the most obvious difference between the good examples of NEIPAs and similar style beers and the bad ones. It's the single biggest indicator of which breweries know what they are doing and are attempting to make good beer versus which ones are just trying to make something "hazy" that will get posted on Instagram.

 

[AndresR]

Saw a 9+ month old Firestone IPA on the room temp shelf at Total Wine yesterday. Man. It was the only one I looked at. Figured it was similar for most.

 

[FTowne1]

Saw a 9+ month old Firestone IPA on the room temp shelf at Total Wine yesterday. Man. It was the only one I looked at. Figured it was similar for most.

My local Total Wine keeps fresh SN Torpedo in stock and sells 12 packs of High Life bottles for $6.99.

 

[FATSH1TTY]

Anyone headed to TBBW or Huna this weekend ?

 

[Wassailwilly]

My local Total Wine keeps fresh SN Torpedo in stock and sells 12 packs of High Life bottles for $6.99.

Sounds like my beginning except backwards .

 

[Lutter]

I can't find fresh Torpedo on shelves normally anymore.

At my supermarket they even downgraded it to the warm shelf.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

I just had to scam a FedEx guy into thinking I’m sending homemade hot sauce and salsa cause he asked what was in the box I just mailed out (it’s beer). We had a 10 minute conversation on making different types of both and now I make vinegar based hot sauces and traditional salsas - none of that fruit salsa noise.

 

[Lutter]

I just had to scam a FedEx guy into thinking I’m sending homemade hot sauce and salsa cause he asked what was in the box I just mailed out (it’s beer). We had a 10 minute conversation on making different types of both and now I make vinegar based hot sauces and traditional salsas - none of that fruit salsa noise.

Next time say snow globes. They'll just think you're a weirdo and let you be on your way.

I made a similar mistake always telling the FedEx guy that I made "artisan marinades" and eventually he asked to buy some. Ha.

 

[holldy01]

Next time say snow globes. They'll just think you're a weirdo and let you be on your way.

I made a similar mistake always telling the FedEx guy that I made "artisan marinades" and eventually he asked to buy some. Ha.

Its why I stopped going to UPS. The woman kept talking to me about making homemade oils and vinegars. I got tired of the charade. So now I just drop it off at fed-ex where no one talks to me. Its lovely.

 

[stupac2]

Next time say snow globes. They'll just think you're a weirdo and let you be on your way.

I made a similar mistake always telling the FedEx guy that I made "artisan marinades" and eventually he asked to buy some. Ha.

My friend had that happen (claiming it was pickles) but then brought the FedEx people some of his delicious home-made pickles. I don't believe he got any questions again.

Personally, I've never been asked. The one time I had a long conversation at a FedEx store it was about football.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

Next time say snow globes. They'll just think you're a weirdo and let you be on your way.

I made a similar mistake always telling the FedEx guy that I made "artisan marinades" and eventually he asked to buy some. Ha.

I honestly enjoyed our conversation. Im just thankful he was as clueless about hot sauce and salsa as I am.

 

[FATSH1TTY]

I always tell them it’s bbq supplies. Most just shrug and don’t give a **** when they pry.


Which isn’t a lie, though. I can’t cook outdoors without beer, so it’s technically bbq supplies.

 

[jdd419]

This is why I make labels and just drop it off. There is a sign at the FedEx I go to that says they need id and the contents of the box if you don't have an account with them. **** that.

 

[quirk6]

This one local brewery ****** up my sensativity to hop burn... got a crowler of this reasonably hazy ipa from them, let is sit in the fridge for a week, first pour was clear and tasted fine... second pour was was like hop sludge, really gross looking. Tried a sip and it burned, it was completely undrinkable. Every since then, i have been overly sensative to hop burn, even for beers where i nevered noticed it before, i do now and find them un-enjoyable.

I'm curious what brewery this was.

 

[liquiddegenerate]

Anyone headed to TBBW or Huna this weekend ?

Yes

 

[FATSH1TTY]

Yes

Sweet. See ya there!

 

[Turfy]

I can't find fresh Torpedo on shelves normally anymore.

At my supermarket they even downgraded it to the warm shelf.

Same here. I cut my teeth on craft beer with Sierra Nevada, but they getting as bad as FW with the old **** on the shelves. Odell and Bells keep getting my $$

 

[FATSH1TTY]

Same here. I cut my teeth on craft beer with Sierra Nevada, but they getting as bad as FW with the old **** on the shelves. Odell and Bells keep getting my $$

Maybe I’m lucky with Mills River being so close. I can sometimes find Sierra within 2 weeks old in my grocery store. I tend to enjoy it from time to time.

 

[liquiddegenerate]

Same here. I cut my teeth on craft beer with Sierra Nevada, but they getting as bad as FW with the old **** on the shelves. Odell and Bells keep getting my $$

This guy gets it. When I'm not trying whatever newfangled BS beer is at my local... its Bells or SN for me. FL is pretty close to NC=fresh SN.

 

[Lutter]

Same here. I cut my teeth on craft beer with Sierra Nevada, but they getting as bad as FW with the old **** on the shelves. Odell and Bells keep getting my $$

Yep. Odell and Bells seem to be really concentrating on making sure everything is fresh. Bell’s in particular has been getting a lot of Two Hearted business from me.

 

[kbuzz1]

No old SN here. As FATSH1TTY and liquiddegenerate say, maybe it's proximity to the Mills River brewery, but I constantly have fresh Torpedo and Hop Bullet in the fridge. The latter is criminally underrated for the price (currently on sale for $8/canned sixers)

 

[FATSH1TTY]

No old SN here. As FATSH1TTY and liquiddegenerate say, maybe it's proximity to the Mills River brewery, but I constantly have fresh Torpedo and Hop Bullet in the fridge. The latter is criminally underrated for the price (currently on sale for $8/canned sixers)

Only downside is the seasonal packs show up super super early being this close.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

I just had to scam a FedEx guy into thinking I’m sending homemade hot sauce and salsa cause he asked what was in the box I just mailed out (it’s beer). We had a 10 minute conversation on making different types of both and now I make vinegar based hot sauces and traditional salsas - none of that fruit salsa noise.

Had something similar happen way back in the day, and decided to go a totally different route (as I wasn't willling to live the Trady lifestyle to make up a fake company with labels / backstory / etc...) where I leveled with my local FedEx drop off guy who knew I was a beer nerd.

He knew what I was shipping, but when I brought him x2 bottles of Westy 12 after he tried to get one of those packages that was shipped to the states and struck out, it almost brought him to tears. After that he helped me bring boxes from my truck to the store, never re-weighed them (so I shipped a lot of 1lb boxes that were 1x1x1), and eventually started giving me beers when I'd stop by.

He never asked what I was shipping, and his employees never gave me a hard time either when he wasn't working.

Obviously won't work for everyone, but taking care of the folks that usually get ignored (mailmen, janitors, service folks, etc...) usually pays off.