It's Oberon time!

[motorcityjoe611]

While I found this funny, I really think the taste has changed. Like I said, I still order it. I just don't think it's quite the same anymore.

Your discerning palate may be correct. Last year it was said (in the Kalamazoo area and local party stores) that it was some of the best Oberon in a long time, brewed to perfection. So perhaps it changes in taste from year to year. Maybe as the quantity increases the nuance some taste diminish. After reading that article I'm definitely going to try that Dragon's Milk.

I used to drink Leinenkugel when it was brewed in such small quantities that it might taste skunky, then you had to wait two weeks until a good batch came thru (this was in Marquette).


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[tommyz]

And don't mix me up for a beer snob type. Everyone has their tastes in things. Just read the beer thread.

I just don't think the writer is off point really.

The writer is off point...Seems he is just mad at the name change way back when and now because its Bells most popular beer and they sell a **** load of it, that somehow its worse..

I get the people who dont really like it..That is fine..Yet when he goes and names other beers, there are no "wheat" beers he names that are better..Others in here that dont like it have not brought up other wheat beers..You cant compare an IPA to a wheat beer..The fact is, Oberon is a damn good wheat beer..

And really, bringing up the fruit thing like that has anything to do with the beer?

[motorcityjoe611]

The writer is off point...Seems he is just mad at the name change way back when and now because its Bells most popular beer and they sell a **** load of it, that somehow its worse..

I get the people who dont really like it..That is fine..Yet when he goes and names other beers, there are no "wheat" beers he names that are better..Others in here that dont like it have not brought up other wheat beers..You cant compare an IPA to a wheat beer..The fact is, Oberon is a damn good wheat beer..

And really, bringing up the fruit thing like that has anything to do with the beer?

Tommy, the beer voice of reason. Well stated. I'll have to go the beer thread to read up on this Dragon's ***z or whatever the hell it's called.

[tommyz]

Tommy, the beer voice of reason. Well stated. I'll have to go the beer thread to read up on this Dragon's ***z or whatever the hell it's called.

Its an OK beer...

[the King]

That guy is too cool for Oberon. Heck, he remembers when it was called Solsun and lets you know he remembers that.

[sseelhoff]

Your discerning palate may be correct. Last year it was said (in the Kalamazoo area and local party stores) that it was some of the best Oberon in a long time, brewed to perfection. So perhaps it changes in taste from year to year. Maybe as the quantity increases the nuance some taste diminish. After reading that article I'm definitely going to try that Dragon's Milk.

I used to drink Leinenkugel when it was brewed in such small quantities that it might taste skunky, then you had to wait two weeks until a good batch came thru (this was in Marquette).


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I have often wondered if craft beers and microbrews do have flavor variations year over year, much as wine does. Like wine, beer relies on the quality of the harvests, (both for the barley and the hops); Can weather conditions affect the flavor or quality of these ingredients? I would assume so.

[SportsFromA2]

Your discerning palate may be correct. Last year it was said (in the Kalamazoo area and local party stores) that it was some of the best Oberon in a long time, brewed to perfection. So perhaps it changes in taste from year to year. Maybe as the quantity increases the nuance some taste diminish. After reading that article I'm definitely going to try that Dragon's Milk.

I used to drink Leinenkugel when it was brewed in such small quantities that it might taste skunky, then you had to wait two weeks until a good batch came thru (this was in Marquette).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

see, I thought 2010 Oberon tasted better than 2011 Oberon, but I may have just been wrong...

and the fruit thing is stupid, but don't blame Bell's for that- as noted in the interview, that wasn't their intention- if everyone just declines/specifies no fruit, i bet that "fad" will just die out...

[MoOff24]

FWIW, I believe a few years back Bells had to change the type of hops they used in Oberon (could be wrong though)....so the change in taste could be a legitimate reason.

[Scott37189]

Not always in the mood for it, but the one I had last night sure tasted good

[tommyz]

see, I thought 2010 Oberon tasted better than 2011 Oberon, but I may have just been wrong...

and the fruit thing is stupid, but don't blame Bell's for that- as noted in the interview, that wasn't their intention- if everyone just declines/specifies no fruit, i bet that "fad" will just die out...

http://www.mlive.com/kalamabrew/inde...s_brewery.html

Published: Thursday, June 05, 2008, 9:40 AM
KALAMAZOO -- They haven't started brewing it yet, but next year's batch of Bell's Brewery Inc.'s flagship beer, Oberon, could taste differently.

The Czech Republic farmers who have grown Saaz hops as part of a contract with Bell's Brewery Inc. have pulled out the deal with the Kalamazoo brewery, which uses the hops to make its popular seasonal brew Oberon, president Larry Bell said.

The move could effect next year's brew.

Bell said he found out about it a few weeks ago and that the contract with the farmers had "some loopholes."

It's another example of the worldwide hops shortage hurting smaller brewers. Between bad weather in Europe, a spike in barley prices and a decrease in hops production by U.S. farmers, those with hops know they are sitting on a coveted product.

"The amount of dollars flying around for hops, these guys are seeing the opportunity they have and jumping at them to make some real dollars this year," Bell said.

Bell said the brewery has already started experiments at the Comstock facility and they "may substitute things because of the sheer lack of availability."

Some of those experimental brews will be available at the Bell's Eccentric Cafe, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., in the coming weeks. Bell also said he will meet with a hops broker next month in Washington to see if he can get Saaz hops elsewhere.

Other hops shortages may effect other Bell's brews, including Two-Hearted Ale, Bell said.

"If we have to change the hops in our recipes, we're going to come out and tell our consumers what's going on," Bell said. "We will return to basic recipes as quickly as we possibly can."

Bell said he's also hoping this summer will be prime for hops growing -- timely rain, an abundance of sunshine and few straight-line winds, powerful winds associated with thunderstorms.

"We don't really know what the harvest is going to be. We have a long summer of weather ahead of us," he said.

As for Oberon, even without Saaz hops, "I don't expect a huge taste change," Bell said.

This was when the taste changed slightly

[Ilov80s]

It is a good beer, but I think more of it has to do with the tradition and memories. Oberon tastes like summer because I have been drinking it for so many summers now. Tastes and smells can brink back memories and feelings just the same as sight or sound.