I bought a 6 yesterday (excited about cans) but haven’t had one yet. I went out to east yesterday and had it on tap. It’s always had the alcohol burn at 10%, but this seemed much more boozy than past years. Maybe it will be better in cans.
I also find it funny how 5-6 years ago when I started drinking craft beers, I was told this was the money beer. I had finally found it and bought it all (like 2 cases). I drank it forever. It was the best beer ever. Now I just buy a 6 each year just for the novelty. Either the competition has caught up, it’s gone downhill, my palette has changed, or all of the above.
I feel the same, Frank. It’s a combination of all those IMO. Honestly it’s too syrupy sweet and cloying for me now. Can’t have more than one, if all of one. Drier is better.
I don’t have a big problem with the variation, Jeff. What I should’ve said more clearly is that my tastes have changed more than anything. Even the Hopslam with great hop character (the norm) is overly dextrinous to me and more like an American barleywine (like Dan said), a style that I like. I just have a hard time having more than one now.
I agree. Almost identical feelings and path of experience with it as fmader , but now I don’t even buy it - in the past 4-5 years it’s been a let down with its overly syrupy malt body and the hop aromatics have only been there for me in the freshest of fresh examples. When I want an American barleywine, I’ll pick up a 4pk of either Bigfoot or Old Ruffian for the same price that my local store charges for a single 12oz bottle of HS
I just poured a can. It’s much smoother than what I had on tap. But still not what I thought it used to be. Lol sounds like Dennis Green “They are who we thought they were.”