I have been, and I am, a big fan of Brewdog. I love going to our BD57 bar here in Oslo (not allowed to be called Brewdog in Norway), joining equity for punks, watching their antics on RU-vid and so on. But, as someone here said, "something happened since they changed the label on their bottles". One of their head brewers were over at the Oslo bar, presenting some new beers, and asked us what beer we liked the most, I said "Hardcore Ipa". "Oh, well, we're changing it, lowering the ABV and making it more mellow!". I looked agast and said "why?!?". "We think it will appeal to more people". So, right there and then I lost something of the craft beer child in me really... Now everything is so clear and well manufactured and so on. But where in the name of hops is the EDGE?!? Suddenly I get a long e-mail about investors and do I want to cash in my stocks etc. No! But, yeah? Cause this isn't punk, its... I don't know. The loss of innocence?
Julian Tavora Not what they told me but sort of good news. Unfortunate new name, I don't want to think of you know who when I drink my bevarage. Thank you for the update.
LOL... totally agree. 'Mr President' was originally from the Obama era though, it was sold at Tesco only (previously called Tesco Finest Double IPA) but not a Tesco exclusive any longer
BrewDog is a study in what happens with unhinged ambition. At some point they got WAY too greedy, and now they're too big for their own good, with the quality subsequently taking a hit. At a certain point I noticed they felt more like a BRAND than a brewery. As if the name itself is what they're truly "selling" nowadays. I used to like them. They were passionate and focused on the beers. They lost their way. Perhaps they can turn it around. I still like some of their beers.
They've literally just canned a New England style IPA called Hazy Jane this week. Be interesting to see how that fairs. The NEIPA collab they did with Cloudwater in February was superb.
Exactly, they are becoming more mainstream and much less relevant. But they need to retain interest from the beer enthusiasts to make them still appear important.
Yes but then a while ago you reviewed semi skimmed occultist, and you raved about where you would store the tin if you were a craft beer virgin. They are brewing for such a broad audience, and they more often get it right than wrong. To you it was a dud, for me, also a double IPA fan it wasn't a bad fruit IPA.
I had semi skimmed occultist three times, first on keg it was very average, first can I enjoyed, second can very average and then second time on keg is was bland at best. Brewdog are brewing for a wider audience now more than ever and with that has come banality.
was in Brewdog yesterday. had a fantastic stout followed by a superb imperial stout of theirs. nom nom nom. Frankly you are kidding yourself if you think you'd love everything they do. That's called variety.
the last few times I've visited Brewdog bars (Oslo, Berlin, Aberdeen) I've skipped their own beers and gone for the guest beers. And I totally agree with you on the typical Brewdog aroma on all their beers. To me it smells like chewing gum
"BD haven't made a hazy beer"... besides the New England IPA, Vermont IPA v1, East Coast Crush, Hazy Jane, Vermont v2, Vermont v3, Vermont v4. Yeah, besides those they haven't
100% agree Simon! As a craft brewer who's only just started I've followed what they've done for years. I first noticed the decline about a year ago. We got a four pack of punk cans and 1 of the cans was obviously from a different batch because the colour and taste was completely different! There was no consistancey at all. I tried contacting them about it but they didn't want to know, so I just shamed them on Twitter. Haven't bought one since however lots of people I know regularly say how they are not the same as they used to be! Great rant, great video, shame its about a former game changer who's now lost it!
hey man - agreed there have been some brewing issues of late. As well as the buyout they've had a huge amount of personnel changes recently too. I think Martin Dickie is even back in the brewhouse full time so I guess there's gonna be some bedding down to do. Some of the specials have still been great though, save this one apparently! I think Brewdog need to pay more attention to what they do, not what they do next, for a bit!
Friend of mine dragged me to a bar in Camden yrs ago to have a brewdog beer , was lovely, it's just average now. Not as bad as Stella changing the alcohol percentage, which turned it from being one of the best beers in the world to absolute wee
I agree Dog of a Brew kind has rapidly went down hill. IPA of a Punk kind has also went down hill... you could even say that the likes of hammer of a jack kind and club of a dead pony kind. Shocking!
Gotta agree. I used to be interested in their specials but not so much now. The last one I had that wasn't a let down for me was the can of Black Eyed Imp Vietnamese Coffee Edition and the price point for that beer was still ridiculous compared to other similar beers - although it was an awesome beer. And if you want regular fridge beers from the supermarket, there are now so many nicer options than Brewdog.
Simon you are spot on this is very much an average beer in a trendy can.If they are charging 3 pounds a can (6 pounds a pint to drink at home) it should be superb .Semi skimmed occultist is an average porter not a patch on Beavertowns Heavy water...
Great rant and love the honesty. To bad this is what's happening, I loved watching brew dogs and how the guys started the brewery but I think this is what happens when you over extend yourself and try to get to big. Hopefully they'll see this and get back to what made them popular and good in the first place.
The only good thing about a brewery selling out is that now you get to go and look for a new favorite brewery, and here in California thats a very fun thing to do. Cheers
Why would you want BD to make more hazy beers? What does haze contribute in terms of flavour? Don't get me wrong, there are breweries making great beers that are hazy, but the haze should only be a natural "by product", not something that you aim for. Most of the trendy NEIPAs out there are hazy because of bad brewing practise (which is done on purpose). Somehow people have started to associate that with quality.
Simon you gave a BrewDog beer (Semi-Skimmed Occultist) a stone the crows 9/10 just a couple of months ago, and a couple of months before that in your review Self Assembly Pope you praise both the beer and the company... so it seems their decline is going quite well lol? I must say I generally agree with the points you raise in your rant but doesn't your love of their recent beers (except this one) show they still have the ability to produce some great stuff and that some of us simply have different tastes that have changed over time? I know my tastes have changed a hell of a lot. I've drank a lot of BD beers but never once got a "lemonade" or "burnt rubber" smell from any of them. I don't drink BD's core range much any more as it simply doesn't interest me, but some of their recent one-offs have been decent, in addition to the ones you like, the collab with Cloudwater was great for example. As I said, you raise some good points but I don't think we can write them off just yet especially since you yourself have loved their recent beers!
I don't usually write comments but I couldn't agree more with the end of this video. I was a big fan of brewdog when they began but recently I have seen a slow decline in there beers. Theses days a beer like marstons brewed shipyard is better tasting and value over punk IPA in the supermarkets . Over craft brewers have taken their place in the specialist beer shops so where does this leave brewdog in the market as they have turned their backs on the ale/cask scene. You need to make a separate video on the decline of this brewery
I agree, although many brewers have their own unique smell, Brass Castle and Magic Rock have quite unique scents. I've been off Brewdog for over a year bow, and it's a damning endictment that their best beer is currently Dead Pony Ale. I'm afraid My Watts head is now too far up his own arse to see what is happening to his beloved brewery.
I agree totally! Brewdog got me in to this craftbeer world, so i have a lot to thank them for. The last two / three years ago their beers started to taste a bit "rubbery". Burnt rubber or something strange. The only beer that i would give a thumbs up to, is their Elvis Juice IPA. A shame....
Amazing review. Best one to date. Your channel is about passion for craft and quality beer that is very open and honest, never change that...like brewdog.
I think what's going on is that they're now too big... due care and attention replaced by large-business concerns. it's a shame, and I'm praying Beavertown don't go there! Having said that, I still regularly buy packs of Punk and Dead Pony, and enjoys those as easy to get, supermarket beers
I can tell you this: at least in the last 2 years their beers (and I mean the whole production) is completely different from the past. And it happened, more or less, since they changed the label of the bottles. It is as if they decided to change everything in brewing something. I had to dump the last 4 beers I got and I decided to not buying another brewdog in my life anymore. They sold to the industry and I think this was the beginning of their fall. So much for "beer for punks" and "craft beer revolution"!!! I am totally disappointed!!!!!!!!!
I still go to their bars but tend not to drink their beers any more as a rule. I did like their collab with Cloudwater however (New England IPA) and also their small batch Vermont was OK.
Makes me think they've used peach extract. Last time I tasted that hair spray thing you mentioned, it had fruit extract.. a little harsh overall though. Punk is good at best, always drinkable. Their one offs are sometimes nothing special but never bad. Their hazy Ne IPA they brewed with Cloudwater was well received. Their New England IPA in a can is imminent. Born to die cans were great. Their Paradox beers are always world class along with abstract. I think you've chosen some duff ones for review. I agree the marketing is tiresome. Especially the endless equity fund raising. Why not grow naturally if their profitable. I'll be interested to see where they go in the next year.
I've loved Brewdog since they started, but I tried a Punk IPA recently and was sorely disappointed. Where were the tropical fruit hops? The hops were weak and all that was left was a malt aftertaste. I thought it might be because I now live in South Korea and the beer might have been old, but reading the comments here it seems something has changed at Brewdog.
Keep rating them as you taste them, that's all you can do. Get another can if you think you've got a dud. That's what makes single reviewers useful - you have a unique taste and the viewers get to know what you like. Some little companies stay true to their roots as they grow, some do not. It's good to know who can survive the growth and who slips up.
I've always been a fan of brewdog's more fruit based offering. I could drink elvis juice by the keg. I think this one is even better. I'm not saying this as a shareholder, I don't like some of brewdog's beer. I just love this, more than say bloody 'ell which I think is great too. A few of the bar staff at my local (non craft beer pub) tried it when I asked them to get some in and they said they would happily drink that, despite not being beer drinkers. I'm wondering if the anti-brewdog comments are maybe because they are changing the target market a little? Perhaps trying to get more craft beer into into non-craft beer drinkers mouths? I've no knowledge, just speculating.
Since they stopped the production of hardcore and black eyed king imp I feel they've been in decline. ( I will still probably be in the Cardiff bar this weekend) just a shame. Thankfully we still have crafty devil
Brewgdog are like the Titanic right now, heading for that iceberg that will take them down if they don't get handle on quality control, such a damn shame...
i tried punk ipa for the first time the other day expiry date 2018 and i found it super bland, bit of malt sweetness and nothing else. i don't mind their jackhammer though
Brewdog, and more specifically punk IPA, is the company and beer that really ignited my love for craft beer, and actually opened my eyes to the wider world of beer!! I totally agree that Brewdog has turned into everything they always said they weren't, and being a major fan of them this is disappointing. Where I'm from I'm not lucky enough to be close to a beer shop or Brewdog bar or anything, so I have to order online or trust my local Tesco. My go to beer was always punk in Tesco but wouldn't go near it anymore, the quality has just declined. Stone IPA by far and away is a better easy to find beer. Sad to see this happeb
I had two cans - the first was good, so I had a second a few weeks later, the second wasn't - maybe they had production problems (which isn't good) Simon, you have reviewed the other Brewdog beers releases highly (Semi Skimmed Occultist, Coffee & Cigarettes) - do you think their IPA game is just off vs current trends?
THe last special brewdog beer i bought was the flatpack fruitbat with Omnipollo, which was ok but nothing special. Interestingly I had a can or 2 left and had one the other day, it's a much better beer now than it was fresh as it's gone more to the sour end now. Anyhow i don't go out my way for any brewdog releases anymore, they are just supermarket staple beers, if you have nothing in or are having people round for a BBQ and want a decent but not super expensive beer to serve then dead pony is great.
I know what you mean about that 'brewdog taste'. It's like MacDonalds and their taste. Doesn't matter if it's a big Mac or a shake - all tastes like MacDonalds
Has Brewdog 'Gone Hollywood'? I used to love the beer, and what they stood for. Now - in Canada, even finding Brewdog is near impossible. I'll keep my eyes peeled and grab what I can to make a palate informed decision, but I've come to trust your reviews. This may have been a single bad batch - since most of the untappd / ratebeer reviews still score well, but one or two talk about the musty feel. Quality and consistency have a great deal to do with their successful history. If that goes - they're just another brewery. A sad turn if true.
I absolutely loved this brew 3 years ago. They have put the recipe out there for free as well. Personal taste and all that haha. Great video though. I love the channel 🙂
I tried my first Brewdog NA today, Nanny State. It was mediocre, to say the least. Colored water with a load of carbonation and a hint of flavor. Brooklyn Breweries "Special Effects" NA is much, much better. So is Athletic Brewing Co which only makes craft NA beers. Their Run Wyld and Upside Dawn are great. I've been drinking craft beers for 25 years but had to stop drinking alcohol for medical reasons. Even O'Douls Premium Amber NA is very good. Today's NAs are NOT your grandfather's NAs. LOL
There are so many so called craft beers in bottles cans now,most are awful crap!,ive tried lots, lots, mostly good only for killing weeds,good honest reviews thanks sense humour great!,keep it up cheers.
Sorry Simon, don't agree with you here. Sure this beer wasn't great, but one dud beer doesn't mean it's Brewdog's downfall, you loved Hop Shot, Self Assembly Pope, Semi Skimmed Occultist all recently didn't you? Also how many Ballast Point beers have you had since their buyout? The general consensus I've seen seems to be since the buyout they've just been releasing awful gimmickier versions of beer they already were making (Pineapple Sculpin, Mango Even Keel, Watermelon Dorado I have all heard are terrible). Just saying that something like Sculpin is still a good beer isn't a fair comparions as the likes of Dead Pony Club and Jet Black Heart are still great beers. The whole "Brewdog haven't released a hazy beer" is nonsense too, you must not get in about to taste much of their beers then as recently theyve had a lot of Vermont IPA series, up to V4 I think, which have all been cracking, ending up with a new core beer called Hazy Jane released this week. Also the Cloudwater collab which was super hazy and incredible, East Coast Crush also. Just really don't think it's fair to have one bad beer by them, after you've missed so many great ones, and start preaching the end of the world. I love your videos Simon, think a lot of your reviews and opinions are spot on, but totally don't agree with this. Bad beer yeah sure, but lots of breweries release duds now and then.
But Punk IPA is now very bland, Punk used to get me super excited to buy it, it was full on with the hops and one of the greatest beers in the UK, the way Punk has changed is more or less criminal.
Tehchapster Have to agree here, I'm afraid. Big fan of your reviews, but comments like "BD haven't made a hazy beer" devalue your opinion. Being accurate is essential, even more so when you go on rants like these.
Punk IPA is still Punk IPA for me. I drink shed loads of it every week. As I mentioned in another comment, we're spoilt for choice, we're all becoming beer snobs, and look for something else. Brewdog still kick ass.
It seems as they very skillfully (unintentionally?) created a cult following where many followers doesn't care, or are unable to judge the beers taste and price/performance. If it's BD it's always excellent, and anyone daring to question the quality get's flogged. Some of their stouts are excellent and among the best I've tried, esp the earlier. But trying their latest Dog F (tried most previous), to me it was just an excess is Chili without balance and refinement. I feel the same quality deterioration goes for a number, but not all, of their latest brews. May they rise up again! "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." /Ralph Waldo Emerson
It's the shareholders I think. Very clever, create a group of advocates that literally have a stake in the company and they will fight your corner blindly on social media forever more because it's in their own interests to do so.
One explanation could be that "the guys" now are too far above the basic consumer. They are blindfolded by only listening to feedback from the shareholders and think all is great. Money is pouring in - what's the problem? I hope they can retreat from being ambassadors, go back to their basics, listen to the ordinary beer lover, and get their own hands dirty making great beer again!
it's definitely crushing when something so good really starts to let you down, and even downright offend you. I actually live in the San Diego area, if there is anything you'd like to sample but can't get I'd love to try and get it to you.
Real Ale Craft Beer unfortunately no. it's about 4500km away. I'm on the west coast Trillium is on the East Coast in Boston. I'll see if I can find some anyway
A shame 😯. I started with Punk and it was my way into craftbeer. They have some very good ones but in genersl i agree They are "polished" and "shiny". Boring and for a period they all tasted burnt rubber. Has the business aspect taken over? Too bad! I choose other breweries now.....
I think you must have had a bad tin as I didnt pick up any deodorant at all. I was however disapointed I didnt really taste the peaches, but maybe thats because it brews out.
I now live 20 mins from the new Columbus Ohio BD. I would be able to get any kid you may not of tried. I guess we all deserve a second chance. So if it's just about the beer not if they are genius or fucking stupid for their direction of the company. Many hate and love what they are doing. I will help you obtain some beer and look forward to a review. If your interested let me know here. Then we can go from there. have a good day. I havnt had a beer bath myself tho may need one also.
You reviewed semi skimmed occultist less than a month ago... and it blew your socks off. Give the guys a break I reckon, whilst it's not their best effort to my palate, they still have some exceptional offerings. Stop being so gloom and doom mate.
About time it was said. I had punk IPA the other day and it was a total malt bomb. Nothing like the beer it used to be! I'll still vouch for elvis juice, that's a very good beer. Jackhammer too. They've totally lost their way now though. Who's there to take the crown from brewdog in the UK?
ive been saying there not as good as they were they seem to ride on there name its money money nowadays there just a average brewery nowadays In my opinion its all about looks the cans look good but the beer is crap eye candy draws you in shame
It's a pity that Brew Dog is losing what made it successful. One or two breweries in Ireland are going this way, used to love two of their beers, now their a bit malty and nothing else, compared to around two years ago it was very hoppy. They have become more popular and are now in the big supermarkets. Is it that they get more greedy and use less hops or struggling with more demand?
for me this decline started a while ago. When I tried dead pony club for the first time I didn't find it that good and it's the same with 5am red to a degree. The big moment for me is when punk ipa started to get worse in quality according to most people I have heard talk about it, I think they are trying to find something new that will make up for their core range getting worse. that being said I still like elvis juice and hop fiction but there isn't a beer of theirs I would go back to unlike other breweries such as vocation.
Couldn't agree more Simon...from the piss poor core range, to the burgers, to renaming products that seem identical?? For me...it was when they increased their range in the supermarkets that their quality dropped. I think the old core range was great and their imperial stouts were some of the best. But now...it seems like they only care about selling pin badges and hoodies. They care more about the 'brand' rather than the beer. Give me a cloudwater beer all day long.
Punk IPA has definitely fallen in quality the last years. Absolutely not the beer it was. At MBCC this year Brewdog most likely delivered the worst beer of the whole festival by putting on their so called Small Batch: Viognier BA Braggot which was pretty terrible.
I've only been on the craft beer scene a couple of years and Brewdog just doesn't appeal to me anymore. They don't move with the times. Very few new beers ever come from them. Its sad that you're almost as likely to see a Brewdog beer on a supermarket shelf now than you are a can of Budweiser
Would you say Brewdog's beer in general has gone downhill? I got stuck into St Austell's 'Big Job' last night and it was better than any punk IPA I've ever had, which I was not expecting.
The problem is not Brewdog as such, it is with the fans and public getting them where they are. They are everywhere and today we're all becoming beer snobs. The beer is the same (excellent and tasty), but we are spoilt with choice now. Bored maybe? Brewdog still get 5 stars out of 5 from me!
Capitalism, in it's current state, really sucks. The profit motive seems to be ruining just about everything. One of my grandmother's brothers was a moonshiner back in the day. He had a saying; "It aint made to drink, it's made to sell.". That concept seems to be taking over.
With their one of specials being this bad, I'm not sure how they're gonna maintain relevance. Their beers seem to be either lame and bland or a catastrophe like this one. They always seem to be dragging behind on the trends too, which just makes them look like the weird, out of touch uncle of the craft beer scene.
BrewDog introduced me to the world of craft beer so for that I'll always be grateful but I seldom drink their beers now. When I go to their bar (great place) I never buy one of their beers; always their guest beers from the likes of Electric Bear and Cloudwater etc.
