Spearhead

chris_schryer · Post by **chris_schryer** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 4:07 pm

I think Spearhead certainly came out of the gate with a lot of press and marketing and noise. I know that I was quite skeptical about them because of this, as were many people. And initially there were some bumps along the way, as they settled into what it was to be a craft brewer in Toronto. Remember most of the guys had little to no experience in the scene, and craft brewing is a very different industry than pretty well any other.

I too, had an experience at a bar where a few staff didn't directly piss on another brand, but chuckled that "...it was no Hawaiian-style Pale Ale." It annoyed me enough I went cool on them for a while, but everybody has moved on, and I think they are an important part of the Toronto scene. Yes, it seems like every brand has some "hook" to it, but regardless, they're solid products that I enjoy drinking. And I think they've settled down in terms of brashness and "noise". Further, I think they pushed a lot of brewers to explore more and better marketing and market engagement. And that's a good thing. I won't beat down any doors to try the new IIPA, but I'm excited to try it.

heebes · Post by **heebes** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 5:17 pm

matt7215 wrote:i dont like the hawaiian style all that much, and its way overpriced not to mention inferior to most other ontario IPAs

i like the "brewery" that makes it even less

same and the fact they came into the business as marketers and knew very little about brewing, as chris stated, further strengthens this.

MatttthewGeorge · Post by **MatttthewGeorge** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 10:13 pm

Tapsucker wrote: The Hawaiian IPA. I initially avoided trying it because they were pushing the pineapple angle and I don't much like fruit in my beer. Once I was persuaded, by an employee of the brewery in fact, I found it to be a decent IPA and have enjoyed it on many occasions. I have come across lots of people who have turned their nose up at the pineapple suggestion, even though you would have to be told it is in their to detect it.

I try not to comment on other craft brewers, seeing as I work for one, but isn't the fact that this is billed as a pineapple IPA yet in a blind taste test you wouldn't "detect" it, be a problem? Yes, it's citrusy, but I just don't get pineapple and think the TIKI is a (great) marketing angle.

MatttthewGeorge · Post by **MatttthewGeorge** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 10:15 pm

(double post)

El Pinguino · Post by **El Pinguino** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 1:05 am

As a marketing guy myself....I find this discussion very interesting. especially if you read over the past Spearhead threads here on BT.

midlife crisis · Post by **midlife crisis** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 4:44 pm

I pretty much agree with Chris Schryer, and as a consumer (as opposed to an industry insider) I'm a bit baffled by whispers of "marketing", as if this is a bad thing. Now, if brewery reps are trashing other beers in public, don't get me wrong, I deplore that, but I haven't experienced it. Anyway, I've rather liked their first three beers so look forward to the DIPA.

markaberrant · Post by **markaberrant** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 4:52 pm

We got a few kegs of the HSPA last summer in SK - the pint I had was extremely lacklustre, took me a long time to finish it.

I really enjoyed that dude who was originally the "head brewer." Hands down had some of the best video beer reviews I've ever seen, and the self promotion on his blog/website was impressive. I'm still not sure if he was for real and jacked up on swee-tarts, or just putting us on with his best Andy Kaufman schtick.