[fmader]

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.

[HoosierBrew]

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.

[dannyjed]

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 agree. It tastes more like an American Barleywine because of the heavy body.

[hopfenundmalz]

On draft at my local it had low aromatics and was hot. Let me say that place has good line cleaning, and beers are always in good shape.

I had some in Kalamazoo from a can less tha a week later. Very nice hop aroma, smooth with no heat.

Larry Bell has said they made >10,000 bbls. They have 50 and 200 bbl systems in Galesburg. Does one think they all are the same?

[HoosierBrew]

On draft at my local it had low aromatics and was hot. Let me say that place has good line cleaning, and beers are always in good shape.

I had some in Kalamazoo from a can less tha a week later. Very nice hop aroma, smooth with no heat.

Larry Bell has said they made >10,000 bbls. They have 50 and 200 bbl systems in Galesburg. Does one think they all are the same?

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.

[hopfenundmalz]

On draft at my local it had low aromatics and was hot. Let me say that place has good line cleaning, and beers are always in good shape.

I had some in Kalamazoo from a can less tha a week later. Very nice hop aroma, smooth with no heat.

Larry Bell has said they made >10,000 bbls. They have 50 and 200 bbl systems in Galesburg. Does one think they all are the same?

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.

More the higher ABV for me.

[blatz]

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

[fmader]

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

Speaking of Bigfoot.... The 2016 addition is killer!

[HoosierBrew]

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

Speaking of Bigfoot.... The 2016 addition is killer!

Yes it is ! Love that stuff.

[fmader]

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."