You guys do realize... (overhyped beers)

[ffaoe]

DFH ipas way overrated

 

[pkrath84]

What else do you all recommend trying that's more readily available?

After having several PtE and HT, I typically keep the "big guns" available in my fridge for trading purposes only - Although I do plan on harvesting some conan in the next few weeks... But I do love the occasional DIPA

 

[christopherrburns]

Both are very good but over hyped.

 

[jbaysurfer]

I can tell that some of the Pliny bashers here have never had it on tap, or likely even that fresh and refrigerated end to end. I go to the brewery about 5-6 times a year and I know the difference between a well cared for Pliny and one that wasn't. I've had both beers (and copious sculpin). I think all are delicious, but the idea of putting Sculpin into a blind tasting with those other two just tells me these guys prefer IPA to DIPA.

To give them credit though, one of them did comment that it didn't taste like a DIPA. But honestly, DIPAs and IPAs are not the same category and don't belong together in a comparison contrast setting (IMHO).

Edit, I've had several bottles of Hopslam too. I don't consider it special, but I'd drink plenty of it if it were readily available.

People need to get it through their head that a single beer is unlikely to change their life. Just drink it. They're all great beers!

 

[Robin0782]

All beer that is hyped, is overhyped. Its just beer folks.

 

[dryboroughbrewing]

What else do you all recommend trying that's more readily available?

After having several PtE and HT, I typically keep the "big guns" available in my fridge for trading purposes only - Although I do plan on harvesting some conan in the next few weeks... But I do love the occasional DIPA

Hercules from Great Divide is interesting it leans way more to the malty end of the spectrum. Oskar Blues Deviant Dale's is one of my favorites (but I love Columbus). Oskar Blues the Gubna is pretty good too, although a lot of folks think it tastes like a bag of onions. Hop Stoopid from Lagunitas is just great, and comes in at a really solid price.

 

[m_c_zero]

Gubna is good, didn't much care for the G'Knight though...

 

[el_horno]

Hopslam, cant say it enough I dont get the hype around this beer.

 

[Homercidal]

I'm elated that nobody seems to like Hopslam all that much. Maybe next year I'll be able to pick up more than a sixer again.

 

[ktblunden]

I can tell that some of the Pliny bashers here have never had it on tap, or likely even that fresh and refrigerated end to end. I go to the brewery about 5-6 times a year and I know the difference between a well cared for Pliny and one that wasn't. I've had both beers (and copious sculpin). I think all are delicious, but the idea of putting Sculpin into a blind tasting with those other two just tells me these guys prefer IPA to DIPA.

Makes a huge difference how fresh PtE is. I had it on tap at the brewery and brought home fresh bottles (kept in a cooler the trip back and right into the fridge) and the bottle I had a week later was noticeably not as good as on tap. I'm getting to the point now where I just don't see the point in trying to track down hoppy beers from the other side of the country. The age and handling really have a detrimental effect on the beer. Drink local, drink fresh.

 

[jbaysurfer]

Makes a huge difference how fresh PtE is. I had it on tap at the brewery and brought home fresh bottles (kept in a cooler the trip back and right into the fridge) and the bottle I had a week later was noticeably not as good as on tap. I'm getting to the point now where I just don't see the point in trying to track down hoppy beers from the other side of the country. The age and handling really have a detrimental effect on the beer. Drink local, drink fresh.

I generally agree, but I have had good luck with bottles and growlers right from the brewery at RR. I literally had a swingtop growler taste fresh as could be, although a touch undercarbed 2 MONTHS after buying it at the brewery. I did however, have it filled, immerse it in ice within a minute or two of filling, and kept in the low 30s during those 2 months.

All that said, I'm sending some PTE out today in exchange for some Jai Lai and some HT, so...I guess I AM one of those guys seeking out IPAs from across the country.

In the end though, if I want something special and I want a lot of it, I'll just brew it

 

[HumboldtBrewer]

Had Pliny on Tap in Cali a month ago, was not overly impressed. I did like it and would drink it again, but Black Diamonds Rampage is IMO much better.

 

[Robin0782]

I'm elated that nobody seems to like Hopslam all that much. Maybe next year I'll be able to pick up more than a sixer again.

That would be nice wouldn't it? Clearly a lot of people like it (me, for example) when its selling out in bottle shops and bars where I live in no time at all.

 

[globe]

I made the pliny clone, and only have 10 bottles left after like 3 weeks. Best beer i have made, i love drinking it. I have never had the real thing but im assuming its only better. Chasing the unicorn beers can be exhausting and disappointing, but at the same time can be interesting to finally taste a beer you only can read about.

 

[cheezydemon3]

Two hearted gets TONS of props. It is, however, the single most perfect beer ever created, and as such, is quite deserving.

 

[Ailstock]

Pliny is overrated. I feel like its a good standard for IIPA's, but it's way to dry, and piney. It taste really one dimensional to me. I've had plenty of other IIPA's I much prefer over it. I can get it pretty fresh(within weeks of bottling) and have had it on tap, which on tap it is a lot better. I think Heady is way better, but it's in a whole other ballpark of flavor. Heady is worth the hype if you can get is very very fresh. After a month old Heady does not nearly taste the same. I've noticed it looses a LOT of hop flavor and aroma after a month or so.

 

[Xpertskir]

Two hearted gets TONS of props. It is, however, the single most perfect beer ever created, and as such, is quite deserving.

what a joke.

2 Hearted is to IPAs what Burger King is to burgers.

 

[cheezydemon3]

what a joke.

2 Hearted is to IPAs what Burger King is to burgers.

I just said it an over-hyped and nearly perfect beer.

You are the Joke here. Thanks for showing up!

 

[Johnnyhitch1]

That you have hyped Heady Topper and Hopslam so much that there is no way I can be anything but disappointed when I do actually find a bottle and taste them?

Right...Its our fault you wont enjoy it.

Wtf?!? How is hopslam and heady in the same category?
I put heady over pliny...


...Oh $hit look at that, ruined another one for ya!!

The hype heady gets and the first time you drink its sweet nectar will be one in the same...Intense Scene!

 

[CreamyGoodness]

erm... you mad bro? *legit confused face*

 

[chiteface]

Can't compare any of the others, only had Hopslam, but it was the beer that took my beer lobe to another level. I just don't hype anything up in my mind and then I am not disappointed. Keep the bar low my friends. I'm like the opposite of the worlds most interesting man.

 

[ryno1981]

I've heard that Lagunitas Sucks is real close to Hopslam. Is this true? Never had Hopslam

 

[biochemedic]

FWIW I very much enjoy Hopslam. Never had Heady Topper.

Me too...I really like the honey character and aroma...don't feel like it's overly hoppy either...

Still in search for some HT...and I've never had Pliny either...I'm sure I'll enjoy both when I eventually track them down...

 

[Calichusetts]

Availability does wonders to the "greatness" of beers. When I finally had Heady, I was really let down...not that it wasn't good, but that it wasn't "the greatest beer ever!" If I had never heard of it and someone just brought over heady, I would think its a great beer, but when it got stuck in this mythical catagory, no beer can live up to it. Don't get me wrong, I get heady every month or so and love it, but its not my favorite.

 

[forstmeister]

I've heard that Lagunitas Sucks is real close to Hopslam. Is this true? Never had Hopslam

I haven't had a Hopslam for a few years now, but Lagunitas Sucks is better in my opinion. I love Sucks.

 

[el_horno]

i haven't had a hopslam for a few years now, but lagunitas sucks is better in my opinion. I love sucks.

+1

 

[smizak]

I thought Heady Topper was amazing. But the Hill Farmstead Ephraim DIPA I had on the same business trip in VT was mind-blowing. The most complex, incredible flowery, fruity glass of hoppy deliciousness I've ever had. That beer changed my perception of what an American IPA can be like, and I consider myself to be a huge hop connoisseur.

 

[BrasseurGeorges]

Plus it fades so damn fast.

This is what struck me about this beer. I live only an hour from the brewery. I bought a case the day it came out. That night I was drinking one of the most delicious beers I've had in my life. Then, within a couple days, it had really dropped off. So I'm not surprised when I hear people on either side of the debate, because beyond the subjectivity of taste, freshness plays an enormous role in beers as heavily focused on aromatic hops as this one.

 

[JDFlow]

I dunno, fresh Pliney is pretty damn delicious...

Pliney lost it's wow factor for me when I found out they use hop extract.

 

[dannypo]

Pliney lost it's wow factor for me when I found out they use hop extract.

Who cares if they use an extract for bittering? A lot of IIPAs use it. I know Lagunitas uses it and I am pretty sure Avery does as well.