New York CNN - Pour one out for Anchor Brewing: America’s oldest craft brewer is shutting down after 127 years in business. The San Francisco-based company announced Wednesday it’s ceasing operations and liquidating the beloved business “following a combination of challenging economic factors and declining sales since 2016,” a press release said. Craft brewers, in particular, have been struggling for a variety of reasons including changing consumer habits, rising costs and lingering supply-chain challenges. Another problem has been Sapporo, the Japanese beer company that bought the brand in 2017. Employees complained to VinePair last month about Sapporo’s alleged mismanagement and lack of understanding of craft beer in the United States. In addition, a 2021 rebrand of Anchor was criticized for pivoting too far away from the brand’s classic look.
I like IPA's but if you go to the craft beer section of a store it seems like 75% of the beers are IPA's. It's hard to find any dark beers other than Guinness.
When Hazy Little Thing first hit the shelf, it was weak. And then SN hopped it up, after a bunch of months, and it was great. And then the last couple batches i have tasted, it has been brought back down, to like what it was, when it was first released. All the new NEIPA's they have made have been very average. But all the SN WCIPA's are doing great. I loved the 8.2 Atomic Torpedo, and then they changed it to 9.1, still great, but not as drinkable...Cheers
"Not terrible" is how I view all of the Little Thing series from SN. They really aren't! But they're not something I desire either. But I feel like it must be selling for SN to make an entire lineup on it? That being said - here's an idea for you. Taste-through of classic Pale Ale? I think it'd be interesting to see you go thru SNPA, Mirror Pond, Dale's Pale Ale, Trillium Fort Point (LOL J/K - and I also don't know why they call it a Pale Ale at close to 7%!), etc
Honestly, I'm there with you bro. My tastes have changed a lot over the past 4 years. I still love old school bitter/piney IPAs and bitter pale ales. But the haze thing has gotten out of control, imo. They all taste basically the same and they're just too sweet. I've had a lot of them and I don't buy them anymore. In fact, I haven't bought a hazy in 3 years. I prefer German Helles, Czech pilsners/German Pils, German Kolsch, and American and Mexican lagers these days. They taste like beer to me. Cheers
Just wanted to pop in and tell you that should buy that new throwback variety pack that Sierra Nevada just released. It contains Hop Hunter, Ruthless Rye, Flipside, and Nooner. I'm going to buy it the instant I see it in Colorado and I'm excited to try those old money hype beers again. Agree on the nasty artificial tasting beers nowadays, though. Yuck.
@@jsenigaglia if HLT is on sale, I might think about buying. But I'd rather pay a couple more bucks for a better 6 pack. 10 bucks for a 6 pack of Creature Comforts Tropicalia where I live is always a better choice than getting a 6 pack of HLT for 8 bucks. Or Juice Force for 7 bucks 😂.
I picked up one from TJ's and think that it is a well made beer but not the kind of beer I enjoy. Are you sure this is a fruit flavored IPA? SN doesn't have this particular Hazy Thing on its website for some reason. The description for Juicy reads "Jammed with dry hops, Juicy Little Thing uses a specialized yeast to enhance the fruity notes of guava, mango and grapefruit, while also refining the smooth mouthfeel that helps boost the juice!". Maybe the same here?
Yeah, I think beer nerds like us aren't into these kinds of things, but they're constantly flying off the shelves so they've got something going with them.
I don’t think this beer has artificial flavoring. The state of beer is amazing and sad at the same time. We have more options than ever before, but it seems like more monotony than ever before as well. Here in Chicago, the market still has great beer in damn near every style. I know many big markets that can’t say that right now though and that’s sad. Everything is hazy or fruited, and more expensive than what the market was 5 years ago
If anything, hops are at their cheapest point in years. Most varieties supply outweighs demands. Tens of Millions of pounds of excess from 20,21,22 crop sitting in warehouse. Craft beer and brewing industry guide has an article about it
I’ve gone more and more west coast and crispy boys the last few years. Hazies are old besides the best of the best, the mass produced ones are all meh.
I really like this beer but i also like things like two hearted ipa just for different moods.
Two Hearted is still so great 🍻
The only fruit adjunct beers I have enjoyed have been Grapefruit Double Sunshine, and Grapefruit Sculpin. Call me closed-minded.
You’re closed minded. Just kidding 😊. I miss grapefruit sculpin.
It's been too long.
Man, Grapefruit Double Sunshine (and Double Sunshine for that matter) was one of my favs. Loved that beer so hard 🍻
This beer looks fruity. Californians must approve lol
Hazy beer kills it in Texas too, don't you worry.
New York
CNN
-
Pour one out for Anchor Brewing: America’s oldest craft brewer is shutting down after 127 years in business.
The San Francisco-based company announced Wednesday it’s ceasing operations and liquidating the beloved business “following a combination of challenging economic factors and declining sales since 2016,” a press release said. Craft brewers, in particular, have been struggling for a variety of reasons including changing consumer habits, rising costs and lingering supply-chain challenges.
Another problem has been Sapporo, the Japanese beer company that bought the brand in 2017. Employees complained to VinePair last month about Sapporo’s alleged mismanagement and lack of understanding of craft beer in the United States. In addition, a 2021 rebrand of Anchor was criticized for pivoting too far away from the brand’s classic look.
The end of an era.
I like IPA's but if you go to the craft beer section of a store it seems like 75% of the beers are IPA's. It's hard to find any dark beers other than Guinness.
I think Guinness and Old Rasputin are all I ever see at grocery stores!
Anchor Brewing shut it down
Saw that. Makes me sad :(
Sad! I went and grabbed a couple 6 packs before they're gone
so sad about this new "malt beverages"
Beer is in a weird place these days, haha.
I switched from Beer to Irish Whiskey, Bourbon, Scotch and Rum, back thirteen years ago.
So, no more beer?
Occasionally, mostly in the summer.
When Hazy Little Thing first hit the shelf, it was weak. And then SN hopped it up, after a bunch of months, and it was great. And then the last couple batches i have tasted, it has been brought back down, to like what it was, when it was first released. All the new NEIPA's they have made have been very average. But all the SN WCIPA's are doing great. I loved the 8.2 Atomic Torpedo, and then they changed it to 9.1, still great, but not as drinkable...Cheers
I still always have SNPA in my fridge. I never tire of that beer, or Celebration. Can't wait for October :)
I thought I had remembered that beer’s ABV wrong! Last time I had it, I was surprised it was over 9.
@@danielscott1040 I wish they would put it back to 8.2...loved the oily mouthfeel.
"Not terrible" is how I view all of the Little Thing series from SN. They really aren't! But they're not something I desire either. But I feel like it must be selling for SN to make an entire lineup on it? That being said - here's an idea for you. Taste-through of classic Pale Ale? I think it'd be interesting to see you go thru SNPA, Mirror Pond, Dale's Pale Ale, Trillium Fort Point (LOL J/K - and I also don't know why they call it a Pale Ale at close to 7%!), etc
Man, I haven't seen Mirror Pond in YEARS! I'd love to drink through all the classic pales though!
Honestly, I'm there with you bro. My tastes have changed a lot over the past 4 years. I still love old school bitter/piney IPAs and bitter pale ales. But the haze thing has gotten out of control, imo. They all taste basically the same and they're just too sweet. I've had a lot of them and I don't buy them anymore. In fact, I haven't bought a hazy in 3 years.
I prefer German Helles, Czech pilsners/German Pils, German Kolsch, and American and Mexican lagers these days. They taste like beer to me. Cheers
Hell yeah. I’m all about the lagers these days! 🍻👊🏼
Just wanted to pop in and tell you that should buy that new throwback variety pack that Sierra Nevada just released. It contains Hop Hunter, Ruthless Rye, Flipside, and Nooner. I'm going to buy it the instant I see it in Colorado and I'm excited to try those old money hype beers again.
Agree on the nasty artificial tasting beers nowadays, though. Yuck.
I’ll keep an eye out!! 🍻
Agreed that it has a weird taste. Hazy Little Thing is better IMHO. Neither are beers that I would seek out.
I’m with ya. I have no need for these beers ya know?
@@jsenigaglia if HLT is on sale, I might think about buying. But I'd rather pay a couple more bucks for a better 6 pack. 10 bucks for a 6 pack of Creature Comforts Tropicalia where I live is always a better choice than getting a 6 pack of HLT for 8 bucks. Or Juice Force for 7 bucks 😂.
I picked up one from TJ's and think that it is a well made beer but not the kind of beer I enjoy. Are you sure this is a fruit flavored IPA? SN doesn't have this particular Hazy Thing on its website for some reason. The description for Juicy reads "Jammed with dry hops, Juicy Little Thing uses a specialized yeast to enhance the fruity notes of guava, mango and grapefruit, while also refining the smooth mouthfeel that helps boost the juice!". Maybe the same here?
I think you’re right. This isn’t a flavored beer. I’m with you though, nothing wrong with it, but not something I need to seek out. Cheers!
Apparently, it what the people want. If you ask your subscribers, you won't get the same result as if you were polling the rest of the general public
Yeah, I think beer nerds like us aren't into these kinds of things, but they're constantly flying off the shelves so they've got something going with them.
Yea very average beer from SN . Give me SN Pale and Celebration any day over these . Oktoberfests are on the way soon .
It’s almost time! 🔥🍻
I don’t think this beer has artificial flavoring.
The state of beer is amazing and sad at the same time. We have more options than ever before, but it seems like more monotony than ever before as well. Here in Chicago, the market still has great beer in damn near every style. I know many big markets that can’t say that right now though and that’s sad. Everything is hazy or fruited, and more expensive than what the market was 5 years ago
I just bought a six pack of this. Gross. Has that awful artificial flavor to it like you mentioned. Weird stuff. Won't be buying it again.
I wonder if hops are getting priced to the point where people are using "natural flavors" as a sub? It seems they're in so many shelf IPAs these days.
If anything, hops are at their cheapest point in years. Most varieties supply outweighs demands. Tens of Millions of pounds of excess from 20,21,22 crop sitting in warehouse. Craft beer and brewing industry guide has an article about it
I’ve gone more and more west coast and crispy boys the last few years. Hazies are old besides the best of the best, the mass produced ones are all meh.
I’m all about lagers these days 👊🏼🍻