Founders Breakfast Stout

Could be a mental aspect to it, honestly.

Psychologically, beers seem to taste better when they're harder to get your hands on.

I used to think Heady Topper was outstanding. Now? Meh, it's fine.

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Heady Topper was outstanding, Now? Meh

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Think we've had this conversation before but
I don't understand that philosophy at all just because of beers readily available doesn't mean that its changed in taste
I mean I understand it's the "thrill of the chase" but it's still the same beer

I had one last night and it still tasted fantastic to me. It was the first one I'd had in about a year or so though.

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And if that is the case what's your favorite food? You wouldn't ever eat it again..

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I never said I wouldn't drink Heady Topper again. But only a few years ago, if someone had HT in their fridge, and was nice enough to share it, you'd drink it and say "goddamn that's good."

Now I'll drink one and enjoy it just fine, but no more (or less) than I enjoy scores of other beers.

There was something about it's rarity that made it taste better in my own mind.

Oh not at all. Rarity doesn't automatically equal good. I just think a good beer that's highly sought after brings with it a mental component that makes me (maybe not all people, only speaking for myself) like it even more.

It's not like if I had never heard of PBR and someone said "here, try this, it's a really hard beer to get your hands on" that I would automatically enjoy it.

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Anyone else noticed a drop off since going from seasonal to always available?

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I noticed a dropoff in all the other coffee beers once I started drinking Reve. Reve has spoiled me on coffee beers. I drink others now, and my first reaction is "needs more coffee."

Whoa whoa, I never said Pliny sucks (I know you're not referring to me there I just want to make my stance on that VERY clear ). Heady Topper is good, literally all I'm trying to get across is people would go to great lengths to get it a few years back around here. Now that it's more accessible people aren't as into it.

A buddy of mine was in Vermont two weekends ago and was kind enough to ask if I wanted any Heady Topper or Sip of Sunshine, and I politely told him that I was all set. You'd never have heard that from me 2 years ago.

Are you nicely saying he’s nuts?

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Could be a mental aspect to it, honestly.

Psychologically, beers seem to taste better when they're harder to get your hands on.

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I think what you're trying to say is that it tasted better to you when it was an occasional treat, and so in your mind you attached a certain significance to it. That enhanced the overall experience. I think that's perfectly logical and something we all do.

I've noticed that I always rate beers higher when I'm at the taproom than when I'm at home. That could be because of variation in draft vs. package, but I think it's probably also an extension of the excitement that comes from being at places. Atmosphere plays a subtle but not insignificant difference. Ultimately taste is subjective, and as such little things like your mental state can make a difference.

Still like Heady. Used to be my favorite IPA. It's not anymore. But it's still good. I'd just rather drink some other beers before it now.