The Bar Towel

grub wrote:... I don't know about _profit_ per se, but talking with Iain shortly after Boneshaker hit the LCBO, he said that it had outsold all their other brands COMBINED in its first month...

Sometimes being 'safe' is risky. Amsterdam's so-called 'core lineup' doesn't sell as well as Boneshaker right now because (can I speak plainly) those brands are manstream-y and boring by today's craft beer standards. There is less and less separating Amsterdam Blonde from macro brands when people are going nuts for Mad Tom IPA (the Muskoka brand that also wildly exceeded the brewer's expectations.)

Maybe Amsterdam's old brands were hot in the 1990's because there was so little else out there, plus they used to have these very trendy hip brew pubs with good food. Times change, though and it's excellent that Amsterdam is changing rapidly now, and maybe bringing their oldest brand-loyal customers along with them.

* -- but we digress a little here -- *

grub wrote:I don't know about _profit_ per say, but talking with Iain shortly after Boneshaker hit the LCBO, he said that it had outsold all their other brands COMBINED in its first month. That's a pretty awesome statement for craft beer in Ontario - not only did it sell, but it outsold ALL of the perceived "money maker" beers combined. just plain awesome.

That's great to hear and certainly a good sign for craft beer in Ontario and, hopefully, the rest of Canada too!

I provided my support today for Bellwoods! Finally making it out to the bottle shop to pick up a 4 pack, 2 Roman Candle/2 Monogamy! Was hoping to grab some Pedal Head, but they were fresh out! Next visit!

Witchshark flying through Friday.

retail area is looking mighty fine!

grabbed a split case of the ipa & recent monogamy pale

witchshark friday, porter soonish & 2 new hellwoods batches started yesterday

whats everyones thoughts on the Nelson Sauvin single hop beer?

its dank alright, nice nose, something unsettling about the taste to me though...still doesnt hold up to the Summit.

heebes wrote:whats everyones thoughts on the Nelson Sauvin single hop beer?

its dank alright, nice nose, something unsettling about the taste to me though...still doesnt hold up to the Summit.

I really, really liked it when they did the first small batch some time ago. Found it quite tropical. My favourite of the series (Summit would be second). I like the new batch but not as much, and probably less than the Summit.
But the Roman Candle is tasting great- and smells amazing!
Ren

heebes wrote:whats everyones thoughts on the Nelson Sauvin single hop beer?

Has a nice little bit of a weedy and wild quality from the Nelson Sauvin. Pure varietal hop expression, in a balanced tasty beer that doesn't rip off your taste buds with sheer pine resin. Good as any Mikkeller!

No really, I like this style APA a whole lot more than Crazy Canuck (I honestly don't 'get' GLB's sense of hop profile a lot of the time, I guess that's just me.)

Belgian wrote:I like this style APA a whole lot more than Crazy Canuck (I honestly don't 'get' GLB's sense of hop profile a lot of the time, I guess that's just me.)

Meaning that you prefer more balance to you APAs?

Really really like the Nelson Sauvin - going to pick up a bunch this weekend at the retail store.

i just cant get into it (nelson s), but the roman candle is spot on. wish i didnt grab 6 bottles of it, but hell i was hopeing for another summit...

TheSevenDuffs wrote:

Belgian wrote:I like this style APA a whole lot more than Crazy Canuck (I honestly don't 'get' GLB's sense of hop profile a lot of the time, I guess that's just me.)

Meaning that you prefer more balance to you APAs?

That doesn't describe it. For me Canuck lacks a a 'middle' under all the steely dryness, while the Devils Pale seems too malt-sticky - and this is all personal preference and we all tend to have favorites.

This Bellwoods Roman Candle IPA is beautiful just a bit leafy but nice fruit and tangerine balance. I got more Nelson Sauvin, and this Witchshark DIPA and Lost River Porter were just bottled in the last 24-48 hours (!).

This place might save me some trips to Buffalo.

the nelson is going to disappoint anybody looking for a big Grapefruit/Pine hop bomb, but if you're used to this hop it;s very drinkable.

Gotta say I'm becomming a big(ger) fan of this place and their brews. Gimme a Hollwoods with Cherries day in late October and I'll line up outside the shed door for it.

Anyone been there in the last day or so and know what they had left?

JeffPorter wrote:Anyone been there in the last day or so and know what they had left?

I was there yesterday. Everything listed on their website was still there except there was one blank spot on the chalk board, but I'm not sure what it was. I know for sure it wasn't witchshark, Roman Candle, Monogamy, or Blitzen.

The Monogamy Nelson Sauvin is awesome by the way. Reminded me a bit of Hill Farmstead Society and Solitude 5, which must be nelson sauvin heavy.