The Bar Towel

Tapsucker wrote: ↑Fri Jan 14, 2022 6:16 pm Robohop. Big bold and beautiful. I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords.

sofakingdrunk wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 11:30 am

Tapsucker wrote: ↑Fri Jan 14, 2022 6:16 pm Robohop. Big bold and beautiful. I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords.

I had one last night as well. I found it really sweet,almost getting into TIPA territory. It’s been going more and more this way the past couple versions that I’ve had. It’s a long long way from the big bitter bastard that it used to be IMO. I’ve got one more in the fridge, after that I doubt I’ll buy again.

Also had a Fracture last night. It’s still got that big bitter finish to it and hasn’t changed as much…although definately hazier and juicier than in the past I think.

Tapsucker wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:42 pm Yes it's the 'double' NE version.

I'm having another one now, and I'm not picking up on the sweetness mentioned. And I'm sensitive to that. I much prefer my beers quite dry. This certainly doesn't have the offensive treacle notes of some Scotch ales or dopplebocks, if that's what you are describing.

It's possible the alcohol level is masking it with it's heat. I also find many NEIPA style beers to be poorly PH balanced and bordering on acrid, or having hop burn. This doesn't seem to have that, so it's possible that's what is being interpreted as sweet?

I'm finding this, for what's described as a big NEIPA, to be pretty well balanced. But, hey, not everybody is going to like the style. I do think it comes up short on hop aroma. Amplifying that up would make this more fun.

That said, I would love to revisit the west coast inspired versions of the past.

Cass wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:34 pm A decent deal, $35.95 for 12 x 473ml including doorstep delivery.

seangm wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 9:36 am

Tapsucker wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:42 pm Yes it's the 'double' NE version.

I'm having another one now, and I'm not picking up on the sweetness mentioned. And I'm sensitive to that. I much prefer my beers quite dry. This certainly doesn't have the offensive treacle notes of some Scotch ales or dopplebocks, if that's what you are describing.

It's possible the alcohol level is masking it with it's heat. I also find many NEIPA style beers to be poorly PH balanced and bordering on acrid, or having hop burn. This doesn't seem to have that, so it's possible that's what is being interpreted as sweet?

I'm finding this, for what's described as a big NEIPA, to be pretty well balanced. But, hey, not everybody is going to like the style. I do think it comes up short on hop aroma. Amplifying that up would make this more fun.

That said, I would love to revisit the west coast inspired versions of the past.

It's usually an excessive malt sweetness, unbalanced by any hop bitterness since extremes of the NE style seem to have almost zero bittering hops; some brewers just add straight up sugars as well since the trend these days is for fairly sweet beers. Interestingly I like sweet, dark malty styles like the ones you've mentioned, but I'm not a fan of sweet IPAs.

I do recall liking last year's NE RoboHop better than the year before though, if I recall the first time it came out GLB had "sugar" listed in the ingredients. Best course of action is to probably just try this year's and find out!

Cass wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:34 pm On a whim I ordered a 12 pack of Creemore Urbock from their online store, mostly for nostalgia's sake. (A decent deal, $35.95 for 12 x 473ml including doorstep delivery.) Honestly wish I could remember what it used to taste like from the old days, as I remember it being Creemore's break from their traditional lager. I can't really anymore, but it's a totally drinkable brew today.

Cass wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:34 pm tempImageacy3q6.gif

Snowmageddon beers!

On a whim I ordered a 12 pack of Creemore Urbock from their online store, mostly for nostalgia's sake. (A decent deal, $35.95 for 12 x 473ml including doorstep delivery.) Honestly wish I could remember what it used to taste like from the old days, as I remember it being Creemore's break from their traditional lager. I can't really anymore, but it's a totally drinkable brew today.

I searched back in the forum about Urbock and found numerous posts from Howard Thompson inviting the Bar Towel forum folks up for a personal tour & visit to the Creemore brewery pre-acquisition while Urbock was being made. We didn't do it, and now I kind of wish that we did.

Tapsucker wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 4:08 pm

seangm wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 9:36 am

Tapsucker wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:42 pm Yes it's the 'double' NE version.

I'm having another one now, and I'm not picking up on the sweetness mentioned. And I'm sensitive to that. I much prefer my beers quite dry. This certainly doesn't have the offensive treacle notes of some Scotch ales or dopplebocks, if that's what you are describing.

It's possible the alcohol level is masking it with it's heat. I also find many NEIPA style beers to be poorly PH balanced and bordering on acrid, or having hop burn. This doesn't seem to have that, so it's possible that's what is being interpreted as sweet?

I'm finding this, for what's described as a big NEIPA, to be pretty well balanced. But, hey, not everybody is going to like the style. I do think it comes up short on hop aroma. Amplifying that up would make this more fun.

That said, I would love to revisit the west coast inspired versions of the past.

It's usually an excessive malt sweetness, unbalanced by any hop bitterness since extremes of the NE style seem to have almost zero bittering hops; some brewers just add straight up sugars as well since the trend these days is for fairly sweet beers. Interestingly I like sweet, dark malty styles like the ones you've mentioned, but I'm not a fan of sweet IPAs.

I do recall liking last year's NE RoboHop better than the year before though, if I recall the first time it came out GLB had "sugar" listed in the ingredients. Best course of action is to probably just try this year's and find out!

If it's a simple sugar like dextrose, that would actually ferment out and make a dryer beer. Unless for some reason they pasteurized and then added the sugar. That would really make no sense. I think it's more likely the lack of bittering hops that would explain the experience.

S. St. Jeb wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 1:00 pm Decent? That's an understatement. $3/beer?? LCBO listing is $3.40