The Beer Thread

bosstrabs

Unbroken1 …do you really think aggro is the factor in reducing beer strength? The brewers talk about ‘changing drinking trends’ but I can’t believe people actively seek-out lower strength beers when they go out

Stella reduced their strength, and I quote, as “part of their commitment to responsible drinking” (you can search the quotes out from various sources).

I know a landlord in Chester city centre who took his premium strength lager off a few years ago for this reason. Particularly problematic on race days.

*I add that he still has guest ales, which can be up to 7.5%, he said the lager drinkers are the problem

Millsy

but I can’t believe people actively seek-out lower strength beers when they go out

Jesus Damo, know your audience

zackster

US micro brews are still all about the high ABV IPAs. The new crushable beverage trend here is those spiked seltzers, which I am not ashamed to admit are fantastic for day drinking.

Homegrove

The hard selzers came to Finland too big during the winter and I too love them, while feeling embarrassed. Did a test with some plastic bottle vodka, and lime soda from Lidl, and it tasted exactly the same as 3,49 € White Claw, so the pricing on them is ridiculous.

zackster

They leave you with like no hangover which is also choice.

Homegrove

Yeah, that is nice. Clear booze tends to give mild hangovers though. Well, if you don’t drink it neat.

Daves_House_Plant

Don’t mind a splash of White Claw on me roots, I must say.

Old-Dutch

I’m fairly sure the reduction in strength is due to pubs deciding not to stock the stronger strength Stellas etc.

It was my go to beer about 25 years ago. Completely ruined the flavour when they changed it. And have done so again. Would love to try an old Stella from a tap to see if my tastes have changed. The new stella is rank

zackster

Old-Dutch Inbev ruined like every fucking beer they added to their portfolio. They used all their gmo wheat for the malt, resulting in sweet sugary hangover bier. It’s such a crime.

Old-Dutch

I knew something was up when I never beat my wife the same as before.

Is nothing sacred?

RichM

Unbroken1 i thought it was to do with tax, the higher the alcohol the more tax they pay. But could be wrong on that.

zackster

RichM It’s about selling more beer. Lower ABV means people drink more in one sitting.

jonattonyeah

zackster

It’s also about keg turnover. Higher ABV beers used to come in smaller or half kegs. Now they often come in full size. By the time you get to the end, it’s gross. We used to stock St Bernardus, a really nice Belgian quad. We could get through a smaller keg in a week or so. The full keg? Not a chance before it turns. So we stopped selling it. The Anchor and Allagash session lagers we’ll rip through in a matter of days when the weather is nice. It’s just more practical.

RichM

zackster not sure in the UK that would be the case for Stella, San Miguel etc. We just get more pissed

Old-Dutch

The Fanny State

zackster

jonattonyeah ah that sucks. Pa has fantastic beer distribution, and a ⅙ of apt 12 is easy to come by.

jonattonyeah

zackster

There are essentially just two distributors in California unless you buy local. They act as cartels, really. They’ll pull shenanigans like, “you don’t get Pappy this year unless you stock blah blah blah along with it” like it’s our fault they went all in on a shitty mezcal.

zackster

jonattonyeah the state controls wine and hard liquor here, which is an annoying pain in the ass. Beer however is open to private sellers and my area happens to be home to the guy that supplies ½ the state. You can get a keg of literally anything with a few days notice. Most the cool hipster bars have the tap set up for actual casks so we are spoiled with awesome euro drafts. Used to get Cantillon until it became impossible to find which has been a travesty .

jonattonyeah

zackster

Yeah Cantillon’s are hard to come by. A place down the road gets them in bottles from time to time. They have to limit one per customer due to resales. I don’t get the fuss, personally, but I also don’t like sours so….yeah.

Casks are so damned expensive to install and maintain. I can think of a handful of places that have them. But they’re rare around here. On the east coast and in the UK they’re standard so people who clean lines and do maintenance are used to working with them. They’re niche on the west coast; specialized training is needed and that comes with a price. Our building is also old by our standards (1852). Doing anything out of the ordinary in there is a right pain.

mono-stereo

What ever happened to Carling Premier? A mix between bitter and lager.

Used to enjoy the odd pint of that.

RichM

mono-stereo was a big fan of carling premier. Was a good beer to drink after 7-8 pints of lager and couldn’t face another one.

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