9 replies to this topic

[Howie]

I'll admit that I have not done side by side comparisons, but the Hoptoberfest and 2 Below seem very similar to me.Almost like it's roughly the same base beer with different hops. Kind of that toasty amber thing, like Fat Tire. The Skinny Dip summer beer was even pretty similar (though it had the lime essence and I think it was a touch lighter).I'm not knocking the beers, because I enjoyed them all. I thought the Hoptoberfest was awesome. I guess I was just disappointed to open up a bottle of the 2 Below only to find that it was very similar to Hoptoberfest. Just another hoppy amber.Maybe in side by side tests they wouldn't seem quite so similar. That being said, I just would expect a lot more variance in "seasonal" beers.Anyone else noticed this?

[ANUSTART]

My first impression of Hoptober was "those are the same hops as 2 Below". As it warmed up though there's more malt complexity, similar to an o-fest in Hoptober. I havent had a 2 Below since last year though, so it's been a while.

[DaBearSox]

I haven't had a 2 below for awhile so I can't judge but similarity I had a Breckenridge Autumn ale and thought to myself this is exactly the same as the Vanilla Porter w/o the vanilla.

[MtnBrewer]

I always thought that 1554 was Fat Tire with some dark malt in it. However, I don't really drink many non-Belgians from New Belgium. I love the Lips of Faith line though!!

[BrianBrewerKS]

I haven't had 2 below yet this year...but I've downed plenty of Hoptober and still have a few in the fridge. This sounds like the perfect chance to do a side-by-side. Guess I'll need to buy a 6er of 2 below on my way home. Darn.

[DuncanDad]

All of the offerings from NB have tasted the same to me.Thin.Watery.Devoid of any significant flavor that makes them stand out from the rest.Brilliant marketing though.

[ANUSTART]

All of the offerings from NB have tasted the same to me.Thin.Watery.Devoid of any significant flavor that makes them stand out from the rest.Brilliant marketing though.

What do they do for marketing out there? Around here I don't see anything other than posters/keychains at GABF and maybe a cardboard cutout at the liquor store.

[BrianBrewerKS]

I bought a 6er of 2 below this weekend. To me, it tastes completely different from Hoptober. Much darker in color...not as much hop aroma or flavor...and a more pronounced malt and yeast flavor.Between the two, I prefer Hoptober.

[MtnBrewer]

What do they do for marketing out there? Around here I don't see anything other than posters/keychains at GABF and maybe a cardboard cutout at the liquor store.

There are those bicycle neon signs. I'd kill for one of those.

[ANUSTART]

There are those bicycle neon signs. I'd kill for one of those.

I'm sure if you just threatened the clerk at the liquor store you can walk away with one. You don't have to kill the guy. His life sucks enough as it is, they don't pay those liquor store clerks a whole lot.I've thought about getting a neon sign for the future basement bar, but I think it would be annoying in a smallish room and would be turned off all the time.