Happy Oberon Day!

Submitted by Yo_Blue on
The 2014 batch is tapped at midnight tonight. If this isn't a national holiday, it should be. The distribution is expanding to NYC this year. I was pleasantly surprised to find it in Asheville, NC last year.

Ty Butterfield

March 23rd, 2014 at 8:40 PM ^

I have gone down to Bells the last two years. Always a blast. Not sure if I will be able to make it tomorrow. Stupid job.

eth2

March 23rd, 2014 at 8:42 PM ^

This beer has been around a long, long time. I remember seeing it on tap when I was a student many moons ago.



Admittedly, wheat beers are not my style, but I've always found this to be a decent, but not spectacular beer. I guess that's how I feel about Bell's beers in general with the exception of Black Note Stout which is excellent. Expedition and Two Hearted are pretty solid, too.

yoopergoblue

March 23rd, 2014 at 8:56 PM ^

Two Hearted is my favorite beer period.  Tried a Hopslam for the first time last night.  Unreal how smooth and balanced it is for 10% ABV.  Need to get my hands on a Heady Topper one of these days.

Bando Calrissian

March 23rd, 2014 at 11:29 PM ^

I'm with you on the Two Hearted, but I've been increasingly disappointed with Hopslam as the years go by. It's lost some of the really grapefruity notes of the first few years, and now has this sort of acrid citrus boozy tinge overbearing everything. I mean, I do enjoy it, but I think a lot of folks are letting the fact that it's almost turned into a freaking collector's item mask its flaws.

Hell, I remember the first couple years, you'd see just piles of Hopslam sixers everywhere. You could get it for months. Last year, the guy at Binny's laughed at me because I asked about it on day three of the release. They'd sold out of something like 72 cases in 48 hours. This year, it was like finding a unicorn. Finally found a sixer at a forlorn liquor store, and paid far too much for it.

evenyoubrutus

March 23rd, 2014 at 8:43 PM ^

Sweet.  I don't get why there's such a resistance developing against it.  It isn't the kind of beer you would order at Ashley's or something, but definitely the kind of beer you would stock up on if you're hosting a BBQ or going to The Lake, Up North, etc.  It's the craft-beer drinker's Bud Light.

LSAClassOf2000

March 23rd, 2014 at 8:53 PM ^

I would do one of these if I didn't have to be at a rollout of new systems for my employer in about 12 hours - (LINK)

The list has some of the midnight tappings that people can attend, if you're interested. Ashley's in Ann Arbor will have one, as well Sava's and Conor O'Neill's. Multiple locations of TGI Friday's throughout the state of Michigan will be hosting them as well. A few Chicago locations are listed too. 

Matthew

March 23rd, 2014 at 9:13 PM ^

We will have it in Western New York this year, if there are any WNYers reading.  Consumers is, I believe, the only beer store around that will have it.

Paly33

March 23rd, 2014 at 9:24 PM ^

Back in MI can you get Oberon year round now? Living in AZ, we have Oberon year round and I have to figure MI does as well. Most bars out here have Two Hearted on tap at all times as well.

slaunius

March 23rd, 2014 at 9:56 PM ^

No, it's seasonal in Michigan, and in most places I think, though I know Florida also gets it year-round.



I think it's better being a seasonal, gets people excited about the release each year.

NOLA Blue

March 23rd, 2014 at 9:29 PM ^

Definitely had a moment of home sick set in... then discovered 3 places set to tap Oberon right here in Richmond, VA. My wife and I have set a dinner date for Whole Foods in Short Pump next Saturday! (Trauma nights for the next 6 days means I will be instead taking care of anyone having a few too many Oberon's with keys in hand... also, please keep gasoline and diesel away from your bonfires. Actually, please just stay away from fires. End of Public Announcement.)

slaunius

March 23rd, 2014 at 10:00 PM ^

People eat dinner at Whole Foods?



I'm not criticizing, I just seriously didn't know it was a thing. Come to think of it, some of that stuff on the hot bar is pretty damn tasty. Throw taps into the equation...yeah, I guess Whole Foods is basically a restaurant. Carry on.

NOLA Blue

March 24th, 2014 at 3:59 AM ^

Seriously, we don't normally make dinner dates at the grocery store, but... the hot plates are pretty dang good, especially the breakfast bar, and they'll sell me a growler at the end of the day. Can have a pint with dinner, safely drive home, and then have a couple more pints at home. Got a nice little Sunday planned, maybe hit the Bed Bath and Beyond on the way home... I don't know, don't know if there'll be enough time.

SECcashnassadvantage

March 23rd, 2014 at 9:29 PM ^

We get it year round because we don't have winter. I looked on their website, because I thought maybe it was left overs. Thank you Bells!

Waters Demos

March 23rd, 2014 at 9:45 PM ^

It accepteth my sacrifices, and looketh past my transgressions.

And I am grateful.  Urination is never so pleasant, and the green grass upon my feet does examine my fate with prompt approval.  And I am happy.  

Wheatley

March 23rd, 2014 at 10:08 PM ^

It used to be a big deal . That is, until it was supplied year round to satisfy national markets . I will toast to the Oberon day of the past and nothing more. Frankly , I am Overon it... Zing !

bsand2053

March 23rd, 2014 at 10:14 PM ^

Not sure what the deal is with all the Oberon hate.  It's not my favorite beer, but its pretty solid and its the beer that got me interested in craft beer, so it will always have a special place in my heart.  I suspect thats the case with a lot of craft beer fans from Michigan.    

Also, looking forward to the comments about how this year's batch sucks and can't compare to the batches in 08 and 03 and all the Solsun batches.  

2heartedUM

March 23rd, 2014 at 10:34 PM ^

Bells is releasing Oberon and two hearted in cans soon as well. Should be out by the end of April. Yes oberon used to be a heavy..they definitely changed it up since the late 90's.

UNCWolverine

March 23rd, 2014 at 10:36 PM ^

Absolutely it was Solsun. They were only sold in 22s. We would save up to buy them in spring term 96. Had to change the name because of Molson an del sol. Wish I had kept a few of those bottles.

Brick

March 23rd, 2014 at 11:18 PM ^

I wish Bells would expand to to Nevada. I had to get some in Arizona after the BWW Bowl debacle. Only redeeming thing about the trip was the trunk full of Bells. I'll have to crack open one of the remaining Oberons tonight.