The Bar Towel

Blasphomet wrote:So far I've pretty disappointed by Lake Effect this year. Used to me my fave... but that goes to Karma Citra now.

I've found all of their seasonal IPAs to be hit or miss. Very different flavour profiles in cans packaged on different dates. Used to love all of their offerings but sadly only enjoyed maybe 2 or 3 cans over the last dozen or so I've tasted over the last year.

Blasphomet wrote:So far I've pretty disappointed by Lake Effect this year. Used to me my fave... but that goes to Karma Citra now.

100% agree with you. Not enjoying Lake Effect AT ALL this year. There's something skunky about it, taste and aroma-wise, that wasn't there the previous couple years.

On the other hand, this last run of Karma Citra was really good, as was Octopus before that. Hoping they redeem themselves with the next batch of Thrust as I won't be drinking any Lake Effect till then.

The couple of cans I had over the weekend were just kind of malt forward... not much hop punch at all. Crystal clear looking too when I seem to think it is always kind of hazy. Not like NE hazy at all... just a bit cloudy.... but def not as clear.

I've only had 2 cans of lake effect so far; on Xmas eve. The cans were dated dec 21 so I was expecting big things but was really disappointed also. Not bad, but just very average, and yeah, lake effect had previously been my fav GL IPA. Those two cans were so underwhelming that it hasn't even crossed my mind to grab any more. Hopefully the next couple runs are better.

Lake Effect's always been my least preferred GLB IPA. I tried this year's batch, and to me it was very consistent with past batches. The skunky-ish taste someone mentioned has always been there, if you ask me. Something about the hop profile disagrees with my taste buds.

Poor Lake Effect, no love!
Agreed though....it's not in the top 3-4 hoppy beers that GLB makes....so not overly excited for it.

I maintain that some of the earlier batches of Lake Effect were the best IPAs Great Lakes have ever made. The volatility from batch to batch is pretty extreme.

I'll have to check the dates I have at home, I really enjoyed this one. Quite hazy, definitely not clear and with a nice hit of citrusy and tropical hops- got a lot of mango in particular.

That said, I find GLB constantly tinkers with their IPAs. I remember Lake Effect being more resinous and bitter, now it seems lighter and juicier (as is the trend nowadays). I wish they'd stick to creating a consistent formula for each brand and introducing new labels for changed recipes.

Craig wrote:I maintain that some of the earlier batches of Lake Effect were the best IPAs Great Lakes have ever made. The volatility from batch to batch is pretty extreme.

100% agree. The very first run of lake effect they ever did is hands down my fav IPA from Great Lakes.

sofakingdrunk wrote:

Craig wrote:I maintain that some of the earlier batches of Lake Effect were the best IPAs Great Lakes have ever made. The volatility from batch to batch is pretty extreme.

100% agree. The very first run of lake effect they ever did is hands down my fav IPA from Great Lakes.

Yup, it was awesome. Not sure I'd say it was my fav IPA they ever released, but it was certainly right up there.

My cans were Dec. 21st as well. I'm pretty positive anyways. I could check the empty bin at home, but I'm pretty certain. Won't buy more until the next run is released.

They even have volatility within releases. I think it was the second batch of Thrust where one can would come out hazy and the next would be crystal clear. I view it as part of the charm.

I have also been underwhelmed by this Lake Effect release and that includes on tap. In fact i think I have had it on tap more than in cans, though I have bought a number over of cans in the last month or so when it became available.

I'd say it must be a recipe tweak. Quality is fine, flavor is meh...

I'm all for brewers making different editions with seasonals, but at some point it does get hard to figure out why something is even branded; You give it a brand so customers latch on and you supply consistency so they stay latched. I think this makes it harder for the brewery to create a sustainable following. They are making extra work for themselves.

FWIW the cans I have are Dec 29 2017, and I think they're quite excellent. Still not at all what I remember Lake Effect being when it launched, but certainly an enjoyable IPA.

Great Lakes Brewery Announces Launch of Great Lakes Spirits

https://www.canadianbeernews.com/2020/0 ... s-spirits/