21–30 of 43 posts
The craft beer market is simply oversupplied. In any of the larger liquor stores in the US, there is a bewildering choice of beers, most of which are simply undistinguishable.
Do you feel the same way about the wine market? Or do you feel like that market is different somehow?
It broke my heart when Lagunitas sold to Heineken. Since then any purchase that would have been Lagunitas has gone to more Stone or Alpine. The choice out there is amazing; easy to say goodbye to breweries like Lagunitas and Anchor for selling out to overseas companies.
I’ve been thinking we were getting close to peak craft beer for a while now. I’m thinking that a lot of independent craft brewers agree as there has been a lot of these breweries selling to the super majors in the past few years. As others have mentioned there is simply too much to choose from that really isn’t all that different. This is my own opinion, but the recent trend of sour beers hasn’t helped matters either…
Apparently microbrews are out of fashion now and "nanobrews" are the new thing where only a couple cases or kegs are made in any one batch. I also know a lot more people being their own beer. I knew Lagunitas got too big though when I saw them in supermarkets in Boston and Europe. At that point you're just a brewery.
I fail to discern the difference. If the beer quality remains higher than the draft swill the major brewers have offered years, what does it matter that they've developed new markets?
I’ve been thinking we were getting close to peak craft beer for a while now. I’m thinking that a lot of independent craft brewers agree as there has been a lot of these breweries selling to the super majors in the past few years. As others have mentioned there is simply too much to choose from that really isn’t all that different. This is my own opinion, but the recent trend of sour beers hasn’t helped matters either…
A bit of an opinion there. I find IPA's completely unpalatable but could probably drink a sour beer every day
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Apparently microbrews are out of fashion now and "nanobrews" are the new thing where only a couple cases or kegs are made in any one batch. I also know a lot more people being their own beer. I knew Lagunitas got too big though when I saw them in supermarkets in Boston and Europe. At that point you're just a brewery.
Ha, lol..."nanobrews"...spot the hipster. Picobrews are the latest thing: only one small shot glass is ever made. After consumption, the recipe, all utensils used to create the brew, and the shot glass itself are destroyed in an industrial oven. Oh, and the person who made it (and their close family) is exiled to a rain forest in Madagascar for ten years. Microbrews, nanobrews...so conventional and corporate. I suppo…
I enjoy beer, but have to admit I’m burning out on the hopped up IPAs. Lagunitas produces a bunch of different beers, but they are all just variations of the same theme (ok I like their Pils)
Brown Shugga seems like a fairly unique beer, but I don't have a lot of experience to compare it to. It's interesting on their tour to hear about how it was an accident. Not really to my taste though.
I live in the area, so it's widely available here (possibly along with variations in the supermarkets that aren't as widely available farther away?), and they all seemed fairly different, but I'm not sure I'm experienced enough to judge.
Aunt Sally - Did not like. Don't think I like sours though.
Supercluster - Had it the other week at a family gathering. Was pretty good.
The Pils you mention, I don't recall the name, I seem to recall liking it.
There was one super hoppy one with raw hops my brother had me try. I was not a fan, reminded my of drinking mowed grass. He seemed to like it.
The Red (called "Red"?) - Had once, really liked it, but it's been a few years.
Brown Shugga - It's been years since I tried it, but I recall not liking it too much.
IPA - Okay in a pinch, but not a first choice. I'll probably order something else if it looks remotely interesting at this point.
Lil Sumpin / Lil Sumpin Extra - My current favorites for the last few years.
I'd love to know what people recommend for other things like the Red or Lil Sumpin.
It broke my heart when Lagunitas sold to Heineken. Since then any purchase that would have been Lagunitas has gone to more Stone or Alpine. The choice out there is amazing; easy to say goodbye to breweries like Lagunitas and Anchor for selling out to overseas companies.
Can you elaborate on why the sale broke your heart? Was it because the beer itself changed? Or you were concerned that future development of new, different, beer would cease or move in a direction you didn't like? Or was it a political/philosophical issue of not wanting to support foreign corporations?
It broke my heart when Lagunitas sold to Heineken. Since then any purchase that would have been Lagunitas has gone to more Stone or Alpine. The choice out there is amazing; easy to say goodbye to breweries like Lagunitas and Anchor for selling out to overseas companies.
I enjoy beer, but have to admit I’m burning out on the hopped up IPAs. Lagunitas produces a bunch of different beers, but they are all just variations of the same theme (ok I like their Pils)
I backed away from craft beers once it seemed to me that the craft beer market had become about making as unlikeable a beer as possible so that people would then claim that they were true beer lovers since they enjoyed that pretty unlikeable beer (unlikeable here largely refers to hoppiness but there are other forms as well such as extremely high alcohol levels or excessively flavored beers).
It broke my heart when Lagunitas sold to Heineken. Since then any purchase that would have been Lagunitas has gone to more Stone or Alpine. The choice out there is amazing; easy to say goodbye to breweries like Lagunitas and Anchor for selling out to overseas companies.
Alpine is owned by some random holding company in Michigan now after Green Flash over extended themselves and collapsed. Alpine used to make incredible beer that Green Flash was never able to replicate. Thankfully you can still get it at their original pub in Alpine.