Have they released the pricing structure on this years BCBS releases? I know they are in 500ml/ 16.9oz bombers. So little limits may be more restricted.
Lagunitas Sucks just made a return here. They have it marked as a seasonal. I have no idea anymore with that one. Quarts sit for months. Then sixers come and go with no real schedule. I seem to ship even checking the hard to read julian dating most of the time. I did have an interesting experience between a big bomber and a six pack 12 ozer. just a couple days ago. The sixers were fresher by a couple weeks, yet they tasted a touch less fresh. I mainly buy because of the extreme value you get from a 8.% beer @ just $8.50/sixer. I used to get a nice sweet citrus hop candy type vibe. But I was picking up almost too much sweetness this time around on the sixers.
Pretty safe to say if I don't like Lagunitas IPA or Ballast Point Sculpin I just don't have a taste for IPA's? I always hear those mentioned among the best, and I keep trying different ones every now and then but I haven't found one I enjoy yet.
Really enjoying Sierra Nevada and Leinenkugel Oktoberfests this season.
Relatively easily available and a great example of their IPA genres?, Yes I would say those two are great examples. Although IPAs can take on quite a few characteristics. I guess youd have to pinpoint what you hated out of the beers. Just the straight hop flavor? Too much pine type taste? Was it a bitterness issue? Both the ones you named for me have more of a citrus type flavor with a touch of pine.. Many IPAs now are going for what many call "tropical IPAs". Think of a fruit juice infused type beer, with a touch of hops. These also seem to be less bitter than other examples. Like they take the best part of the more tropical styled hops and get only aroma and taste out of them, without the harsh bitterness.. I say, keep trying. You're in CA. Can't go wrong with many many many examples in your area.
Don't get me started on aging. It's tricky. I have had a couple side by side by side tastings, and felt the older one was BETTER almost always, but not two years worth of time of waiting better. It's a subtle act most of the time. When I see breweries age something for 4 months, I don't quite think thats enough time usually. Even a year in the fridge, like I do with my stuff, is tricky. I have seen some stuff on the shelves for 3 years that tastes better than stuff "cellared" to its 100% strict efficiency specs. So i don't know anymore. I honestly feel beers need 5-6 plus years to see a true difference. I catch small differences but is it "worth the wait" differences? I dont think so.
meyer23, You aint living if you havent had a room temp imperial stout. I'm actually sad when breweries tap their stouts at the same temp as all their other beers. We know how bud light tastes warm. Even IPAs open up as they warm. Stouts and most other above 10% beers are optimal 55 degrees and up
