Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

So You Think You Want to Open a Brewery (2014)

drinks.seriouseats.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 303 posts

Re: So You Think You Want to Open a Brewery (2014)

#11

Post by sithadmin »

zwkrt wrote: post #6
walrus01 wrote: post #2

My personal taste complaint with a lot of people who open a brewery... Everyone seems to think that more hops = better beer. There are so many other possible flavors and types to a beer than some type of IPA that is absolutely overloaded with hops. But that seems to be a very common type of thing to brew. When I open something and am assaulted with the aroma of hops, it's not appealing anymore. It was interesting 7-8…

This is a west coast phenomenon, I’ve found the Midwest and east coast to have a lot more variety. It feels in Seattle like beer bars have a “token” stout in the same way that they have a single house wine. Hops must be what sells though.

>Hops must be what sells though.

I'm increasingly suspicious that (typically) high relative ABV of high-IBU beers is a significant factor in influencing consumer choice, perhaps moreso than hops enthusiasts would like to admit.

Re: So You Think You Want to Open a Brewery (2014)

#12

Post by Bootwizard »

walrus01 wrote: post #2

My personal taste complaint with a lot of people who open a brewery... Everyone seems to think that more hops = better beer. There are so many other possible flavors and types to a beer than some type of IPA that is absolutely overloaded with hops. But that seems to be a very common type of thing to brew. When I open something and am assaulted with the aroma of hops, it's not appealing anymore. It was interesting 7-8…

You're telling me. I've been into craft beer for around 8 years, a bit after IPAs really took off in the US. I have acid reflux, and nothing triggers it more consistently and quickly than having an IPA. It just tastes like straight up acid to me.

I equate people who like really strong IPAs to people who are into extreme hot sauce just for the sake of injuring themselves with something that's overly hot.

Is there really any flavor to IPAs with IBUs that are through the roof? No, not at all.

I'm glad on the east coast I have a variety of beer to choose from that aren't IPAs

Re: So You Think You Want to Open a Brewery (2014)

#13

Post by zwieback »

cafard wrote: post #4
walrus01 wrote: post #2

My personal taste complaint with a lot of people who open a brewery... Everyone seems to think that more hops = better beer. There are so many other possible flavors and types to a beer than some type of IPA that is absolutely overloaded with hops. But that seems to be a very common type of thing to brew. When I open something and am assaulted with the aroma of hops, it's not appealing anymore. It was interesting 7-8…

It is quite odd, the dominance of IPA. I wasn't aware of it until I walked in Rodman's in NW Washington, DC, and found that what appeared to be 80% of the American beer offerings were IPAs of one sort another.

They are easy to brew and hide fermentation or sanitation defects well.

Re: So You Think You Want to Open a Brewery (2014)

#16

Post by burmer »

walrus01 wrote: post #2

My personal taste complaint with a lot of people who open a brewery... Everyone seems to think that more hops = better beer. There are so many other possible flavors and types to a beer than some type of IPA that is absolutely overloaded with hops. But that seems to be a very common type of thing to brew. When I open something and am assaulted with the aroma of hops, it's not appealing anymore. It was interesting 7-8…

Yup, in my opinion adding tons of hops can be a way to “cheat” and make a better beer, similar to some heavily flavored strong dark beers: if you overwhelm the palate you can cover up all kinds of issues, and nuances! Also in the NW a lot of hops are grown there, so it’s kind of a regional pride thing too. Even though WA also grows a ton of barley, there isn’t nearly as much interest in it.

Re: So You Think You Want to Open a Brewery (2014)

#17

Post by throw0101a »

If anyone wants to experiment at home, the folks at Penny Arcade have a weekly stream where they create 'D&D-theme' beers:

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v_dJC0AKD8&list=PLjZRIC6PME...

Names of previous concoctions:

* War Priest

* Long Rest

* Bardic Inspiration

* Little Dagger

They go into detail about what each ingredient will/should add to the final taste.

Re: So You Think You Want to Open a Brewery (2014)

#18

Post by sickygnar »

walrus01 wrote: post #2

My personal taste complaint with a lot of people who open a brewery... Everyone seems to think that more hops = better beer. There are so many other possible flavors and types to a beer than some type of IPA that is absolutely overloaded with hops. But that seems to be a very common type of thing to brew. When I open something and am assaulted with the aroma of hops, it's not appealing anymore. It was interesting 7-8…

Every brewery I've been to offers lagers. They can be hit or miss though since it's harder to mask off notes in them. The session ipas (low abv / preferably low ibu) are usually more dependable at small breweries. I personally like the crisp juiciness of those provided they don't overdo it with the hops. I can't stand the syrupy IPAs/double IPAs, fortunately those have been waning in popularity. They were fun for a bit but not anymore.

Re: So You Think You Want to Open a Brewery (2014)

#19

Post by jerrysievert »

I've done a bit of consulting work for breweries and beer bars over the last couple of decades, nothing in the brewing process directly (mostly bespoke hardware and software solutions), but have had a great view into craft brewing.

it seems like there hasn't been any real technological progress in craft brewing since the 90's. in the 90's, there were unix based control systems, with X11 interfaces, for larger craft breweries, while smaller breweries were using notebooks and pens.

now, there are spreadsheets.

it seems like there's a lot of room for the booming craft beer industry to have a shake up in software.

Re: So You Think You Want to Open a Brewery (2014)

#20

Post by digitalsushi »

walrus01 wrote: post #2

My personal taste complaint with a lot of people who open a brewery... Everyone seems to think that more hops = better beer. There are so many other possible flavors and types to a beer than some type of IPA that is absolutely overloaded with hops. But that seems to be a very common type of thing to brew. When I open something and am assaulted with the aroma of hops, it's not appealing anymore. It was interesting 7-8…

i've wondered a few times if the extreme hops flavor is an inevitable way for people (like myself) who know barely anything about beer to effectively measure a single attribute and participate. a Goodhart's Law of flavor, if you will. If cranking the hops up to 11 gets a reaction that otherwise better beer doesn't get, then we're going to end up with hops on 11.
Post reply on HN