What's the worst craft brew (commercial) you've had?

[ElyIrishBrew]

Absolutely gross...........

Ingredients, as far as the brewer will tell you, are 2row, 6row, American and German hops, cereals, and blueberries... sounds good, doesn't taste good.

Ugh, absolutely! We have a huge annual Blueberry/Arts Festival here each July, and that "beer" sells over the counter at the local liquor stores for a couple weeks then.

Yuck!

 

[grimstuff]

That's a whole discussion in itself. When the place opened, the beer was great. And since then it's gone from amazing to beer that will actually make you physically ill. 2 years ago they had a brewer there, AJ, who was very talented though he didn't play well with others and had to go. Then their beer went back to being crap. Now they have a new guy who they took off the floor and taught him how to make beer. He literally has no brewing background, but I've spoke with him several times and he has huge potential I feel. I actually see a glimmer of hope for that place for the first time in a long while. The new owner seems very unpretentious and down to earth. The beer is still far from great, but not bad either. And this guy seems like he's going to stick around, so I'm hoping for good things. I think they really need to quit it with their wheat beer styles though, they really don't have it going in with those. I've never had one that I liked, and it's not because I don't like the style.

I didn't know it changed owners... I knew the original owners (did some janitorial work there back in the day) and it seemed like it took a while for them to work out the kinks, but I always felt the beer was bad... However, there were large gaps in my experience there, as I moved away and returned a few times in the space of 12 years. I tried their pilsner the other day and it tasted very basic and uninspired... drinkable but absolutely not worth the rather high price.

 

[bottlebomber]

I didn't know it changed owners... I knew the original owners (did some janitorial work there back in the day) and it seemed like it took a while for them to work out the kinks, but I always felt the beer was bad... However, there were large gaps in my experience there, as I moved away a few times in the space of 12 years. I tried their pilsner the other day and it tasted very basic and uninspired... drinkable but absolutely not worth the rather high price.

I've had huge gaps too, since I outright boycotted the place for about 4 years. That's basically right where their beers are now IMO. Expensive for what you get, and just drinkable. I actually think they should ditch the organic thing for the beer and just keep the food organic. It would open up worlds of ingredients for them, and they could probably get their beer back under $5 a pint. I want it at 4 - 4 for them, 1 for the server. It makes it really hard to tip at the prices they have now.

 

[grimstuff]

I've had huge gaps too, since I outright boycotted the place for about 4 years. That's basically right where their beers are now IMO. Expensive for what you get, and just drinkable. I actually think they should ditch the organic thing for the beer and just keep the food organic. It would open up worlds of ingredients for them, and they could probably get their beer back under $5 a pint. I want it at 4 - 4 for them, 1 for the server. It makes it really hard to tip at the prices they have now.

Yeah, it's pretty unreasonable. Especially with Mendocino Ale House down the road with excellent $3-4 pints. (And a good organic line to boot.)

 

[meadmazer]

Keeping in mind that opinions vary (thats why there is more than just a couple beers after all), 4 come to mind for me: #1 yucky is Wild Blue. Also I dont like Pyramid Apricot, Chainbreaker White, or Trippels in general, tho in fairness I believe my body just has an issue with coriander. Maybe because it shouldnt be in beer.

 

[etrain666]

Mercenary Double IPA from Odell brewing, Turned me off from ever liking an IPA again. Felt like hop flavored battery acid in my mouth. Would rather boil and eat my shoes than to let that stuff hold my mouth hostage again. I did find out my cats are extra clingy though if you spill some on your jeans. Maybe not so good if your walking around mountain lion territory.

You may be alone on this one.

 

[Beezer94]

Again don't know how "Craft" Sam Adam's is anymore, but another nod to how bad the cherry wheat is. Seriously 1980's drugstore-brand cough syrup. Tried it twice (poured in glasses) and both times couldn't drink it. I am not picky and have drank some bad beer, but that wins the prize!

Now I had Sam Adam's Blackberry Witbier and thought it was really good. Only fruit beer I ever had that I would drink again. Helps that it's not an overpowering flavor like their cherry crap.

I would agree that Southern Tier in general is underwhelming. Think they focus so much on filtering to have crystal clear beer that they strip all the flavors out. Although the couple of times I have had Unearthly, I really enjoyed it.

If you ever buy an APA, IPA, IIPA and it has a born on date that is over 2-3 months old, do not buy it! Light-colored, hoppy ales do not get better with age unless your goal is to remove the hop character and make bland beer.

 

[45_70sharps]

Hands down the worst was Rogue's Voodoo bacon maple beer.
We drove three hours away to give it a try. I didn't think it was going to be a new favorite, but it sounded interesting.
We sat down and each ordered a bottle. My buddy drank all his, I had less than half of mine before I just couldn't take it any more. I asked for a strong stout to get the taste out of my mouth.

On the plus side they had many more beers that were great.
They were out of barley wine, the one cask conditioned beer was too sweet and the mead tasted like cider but everything else was great. I tried about ten of them.

 

[zurcj20]

Now I had Sam Adam's Blackberry Witbier and thought it was really good.

I really did not like that beer. Another one I would add is Sea Dog blueberry.

 

[DrummerBoySeth]

Another "not really craft" and "not very good" beer is Newcastle Werewolf. I marinated some steaks with it (it is OK for that, I guess) and poured the other 1/2 of the beer into a glass and tried to drink it. Something just seemed "off" about that beer. It ended up going down the sink after 3 sips. Luckily I still had some homebrewed RIS to chase that bad taste away with!

 

[bottlebomber]

Last night I had a Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA, the Scottish Ale, and the Wee Heavy. Each of them were so skunked (The Thistle almost made me ill) from the clear bottle that it was hard to tell what they might have been at one time. It's probably not "craft", and I payed way too much for these. But it was the worst beer experience I've had in a long time. With the craft beer market gaining increasingly high standards, these guys really need to get their act together and start taking better care of their beer of they are going to lose a huge chunk of their US market.

 

[grimstuff]

Last night I had a Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA, the Scottish Ale, and the Wee Heavy. Each of them were so skunked (The Thistle almost made me ill) from the clear bottle that it was hard to tell what they might have been at one time. It's probably not "craft", and I payed way too much for these. But it was the worst beer experience I've had in a long time. With the craft beer market gaining increasingly high standards, these guys really need to get their act together and start taking better care of their beer of they are going to lose a huge chunk of their US market.

Might have more to do with distribution and storage... I've had several Belhaven Wee Heavys from Westside Renn Market and they were excellent.

 

[aceparadis]

Mississipi Mud black n Tan, very disappointing, imo.

 

[EnjoyGoodBeer]

Mississipi Mud black n Tan, very disappointing, imo.

+1 cool bottle tho

 

[lumpher]

Last night I had a Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA, the Scottish Ale, and the Wee Heavy. Each of them were so skunked (The Thistle almost made me ill) from the clear bottle that it was hard to tell what they might have been at one time. It's probably not "craft", and I payed way too much for these. But it was the worst beer experience I've had in a long time. With the craft beer market gaining increasingly high standards, these guys really need to get their act together and start taking better care of their beer of they are going to lose a huge chunk of their US market.

that's too bad you had a bad experience. first time i had a belhaven scottish ale, i followed it up with making 10 gallons. it thought it was tasty. maybe the stuff you had got hot, cooled, hot, cooled, etc

 

[L0F]

Joseph James brewey's hop box. It was rancid, like literally tasted like garbage juice and not just a poorly made ipa. I emailed them, and gave them a hard time for brewing such a horrific beer.

 

[Whattawort]

+1 cool bottle tho

Indeed it is. My brother likes the stuff, so I lay claim to all his empties.

 

[progmac]

Last night I had a Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA, the Scottish Ale, and the Wee Heavy. Each of them were so skunked (The Thistle almost made me ill) from the clear bottle that it was hard to tell what they might have been at one time. It's probably not "craft", and I payed way too much for these. But it was the worst beer experience I've had in a long time. With the craft beer market gaining increasingly high standards, these guys really need to get their act together and start taking better care of their beer of they are going to lose a huge chunk of their US market.

A skunked twisted thistle is about the worst thing that i can imagine!

I can't tell you how many times i've had skunked newcastle. I can tell immediately, and the bartender often gives me this, 'yeah, whatever' look when i tell him he should check his supply.

 

[jhhicks]

Mississipi Mud black n Tan, very disappointing, imo.

I agree! Great bottle though, I kept that one haha

 

[jhhicks]

I know I will be in the minority here, but I really don't like the Dirty Helen Brown Ale by Barley Island Brewing Company. I have tried it two different times (6-pack purchases) and I just didn't care for it. I love English Brown Ales though. Oh well, just not for me.

 

[Brizzo]

I really did not like that beer. Another one I would add is Sea Dog blueberry.

Sea dog blue paw is probably my favorite blue berry beer, but I like ringwood yeast. Very taty.

 

[Brizzo]

Sea dog blue paw is probably my favorite blue berry beer, but I like ringwood yeast. Very taty.

Tasty

 

[dannypo]

Frog Island Wee Heavy. Tasted like band-aids and feet. I actually spit it out right in front of the brewer at a festival. Kinda felt bad about that but I just couldn't swallow it.

 

[wyowolf]

312 Beer in Chicago... absolutely horrible!! its the only beer I never finished... took a few swigs.. sat it back down, got up and left!

The other beers I had there were all great!

 

[scottyg354]

Atwater Grand Circus IPA (in a Can, never had the bottle). Tasted like an overly hopped Michelob Ultra. Really nasty. Should have read the BA reviews prior to buying a sixer.

 

[scottyg354]

Again don't know how "Craft" Sam Adam's is anymore, but another nod to how bad the cherry wheat is. Seriously 1980's drugstore-brand cough syrup. Tried it twice (poured in glasses) and both times couldn't drink it. I am not picky and have drank some bad beer, but that wins the prize!

Now I had Sam Adam's Blackberry Witbier and thought it was really good. Only fruit beer I ever had that I would drink again. Helps that it's not an overpowering flavor like their cherry crap.

I would agree that Southern Tier in general is underwhelming. Think they focus so much on filtering to have crystal clear beer that they strip all the flavors out. Although the couple of times I have had Unearthly, I really enjoyed it.

If you ever buy an APA, IPA, IIPA and it has a born on date that is over 2-3 months old, do not buy it! Light-colored, hoppy ales do not get better with age unless your goal is to remove the hop character and make bland beer.

Agreed with the Cherry Wheat as well. Nasty stuff, but Southern Tier? Pumking, Choklat, Creme Brulee they make some fantastic beers.

 

[dannypo]

Agreed with the Cherry Wheat as well. Nasty stuff, but Southern Tier? Pumking, Choklat, Creme Brulee they make some fantastic beers.

Funny. I can't stand all three of those.

 

[Apple_Jacker]

312 Beer in Chicago... absolutely horrible!! its the only beer I never finished... took a few swigs.. sat it back down, got up and left!

The other beers I had there were all great!

I was just in Chicago the other day and tried goose islands Green Line, I think, whichever one is the pale ale. I really liked it.

 

[Caucasian]

Mississipi Mud black n Tan, very disappointing, imo.

Is that stuff still being brewed? I haven't seen it in years.

 

[Mb2658]

Come to think of it, the last beer that I had that I couldn't finish was the Potts Black IPA at CB Potts. It tasted like someone started a tire fire and tried to put it out with Pine Sol.