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)
As someone who doesn't enjoy very bitter beer, I do find the obsession of super duper hopped up IPAs in the US market really suffocating.
As a lot of posters noted, Sours and other beers are becoming more mainstream but I do think the "microbrewery" boom is finally coming to an end. Most of the famous ones are already owned by Heineken or A-B. Consolidation seems to be the natural state of the market it seems.
I would like to see some in depth studies to see how this has changed the flavors, if at all. I'm always skeptical when people claim that the quality of these brewers lowered when purchased; however changes in the supply chain could result in that.
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).
So it's all about your own tastes? It's all a conspiracy or something? I like a variety of beers, sometimes a lighter pilsner, but I do at times crave a hoppy citrus ipa. It's possible people can have different tastes than yours without it being a lie.
Hi, I absolutely love extremely hoppy beers, and not for any hipster fashion reasons. I just like the taste, so the explosion in IPAs has been awesome for me.
I also love strongly peated smokey whisky and outrageously strong cheese :-)
I'm not a huge beer drinker (every week or two I might have a couple beers), and usually I'll stick mostly to what I like. Lil Sumpin is my all time favorite beer, but I'm not necessarily a huge fan of their regular IPA.
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.
Just? IPAs have taken over half the taps for years now. I've been burned out on them for a while. :-(
Fortunately, sours are finally starting to become more widely available. If you haven't had one yet, I'm a big fan of Rodenbach as a good sour to start with.
As a lot of posters noted, Sours and other beers are becoming more mainstream but I do think the "microbrewery" boom is finally coming to an end. Most of the famous ones are already owned by Heineken or A-B. Consolidation seems to be the natural state of the market it seems. I would like to see some in depth studies to see how this has changed the flavors, if at all. I'm always skeptical when people claim that the quality of these brewers lowered when purchased; however changes in the supply chain could result in that.