It seems like just yesterday I was snatching up my first six pack of Celebration. I went to a local grocery store to pick up some provisions last night, and imagine my suprise when I noticed that Celebration had been replaced with Ruthless Rye. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the seasonal release schedule go like this: Spring-Ruthless Rye, Summer-Summerfest, Fall-Tumbler, Winter-Celebration? I'm certainly not complaining, but I feel like Celebration just came out. Anyway, the neck of the Ruthless Rye is adorned with a "2013". Also, it's still amazing.
It is honestly tied with Celebration for me which is my 2nd favorite SN Seasonal. Bigfoot is easily my first. Apparently that is out now too
I think SN Bill said it himself, they're not really "seasonals" anymore, they're Q1 release, Q2 release....and so on and so forth. Celebration came out in October, and it's been three months since then, so it makes sense that Ruthless is coming out now. I agree, it does feel like I just picked up my first six pack of Celebration, but no complaints from me here; I actually prefer Ruthless over Celebration. Cheers!
this sounds just about right, as i drank a ton of this stuff during the playoffs last year. cant wait!
Ruthless Rye was a case where I just bought it the first time because I really liked the packaging artwork. I'm glad it turned out to be a really good beer too!
I went to pick up a few groceries last night, I saw a six pack of Ruthless Rye right next to a 12 pack of Tumbler, I guess we're about halfway between Fall and Spring so it works...
I didn't see any Celebration until November because retailers still had Tumbler on the shelf. Honestly, I love SN, but I think they should take Tumbler out of the lineup. It's still on some shelves where I live.
We live in the same city, I saw it last night. I don't think they should take it out of the lineup, I enjoy it, but they should make less of it.
Good call. I actually like it also, but it seems like no one buys it and it keeps me from enjoying Celebration!
I agree that it's stupid that retailers hold back certain beers until one is gone. I'd hate to see tumbler go, though! I love that beer. Just bought a case of it from a store for $19 because they still have a ton lying around. I just think stores need to order less of it.
Also, from SN Bill himself: "I see threads all the time about seasonals creeping earlier and earlier... The economics of filling a seasonal rotation in the market have pushed the rotations into something better resembling quarterly releases rather than true seasonality. We took flak from the beer community over releasing our Spring Maibock in January, so we said forget it...we're going to stop making "spring" beers fit into the first quarter and release the kind of beer we want to drink. For us right now, Ruthless is that beer. (and for me especially, that about the only thing I've drunk in the past three months.)" (http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/ruthless-rye-vs-glissade.5245/page-2#post-64155)
That clears a lot up. Thanks! On the downside, that means that Celebration has run it's course. I prefer Celebration to Ruthless Rye, but both are phenomenal.
Agreed, I'm still seeing Tumbler, and I'll still be seeing it as Ruthless comes out, then as Summerfest comes out
Yes, Bigfoot is being released earlier this year, and should stick around longer. We kind of reconfigured our seasonal selections for 2013 into tiers...it actually looks like orbital rings when you look at them all together. Pale Ale and the 4 year-rounds are in the center. Four seasonals in the next ring: Ruthless, Summerfest Tumbler, Celebration-each available for about 3 months. Three High Altitude beers: Bigfoot, Hoptimum, Narwhal-each available for 4 months. Our two new Ovila Abbey Ales beers: Ovila Abbey Quad with plums and Ovila Abbey Saison with Satsuma Mandarin and White Pepper available for about 6 months each beginning in February. In addition to that, we're doing a bigger limited draught release this year too, with wider releases of specialty kegs, with a new one scheduled each month, and two in August... We're calling it the Brewer's Dozen. Should be a fun year. The new brewery can't come online soon enough! -Bill
-no shit?! ...gotta be makin its way towards OH then soon...i Hope. BUT yes, i think ur Right on that..its usually in the Spring, they also have/had an ESB (early Spring beer..that (i) didn't see last yr) any1 know anything on that?
ETA for the new NC brewery? I agree that standard/seasonal SN beers need to make it to the northeast (me) in a more timely fashion. The geek beers can still be made in Chico & take their time getting here.
wow, that's Ridiculous...yeah i've Noticed ovr the Last few "Seasons" - the Lineups are coming out Earlier & Earlier (tryin' to get the Edge on the "other guy" breweries 'eh?!) ;P - Pretty soon it'll be Pointless 2 call them Seasonal Beers!
Yes, our spring seasonals shift around quite a bit. In 2008-2009 it was E.S.B. (Early Spring Beer.) 2010-2011 was Glissade Golden Bock, and 2012-20?? is now Ruthless Rye IPA. -B
We're hoping to be making beer in NC by fall 2013. The kettles will arrive soon and the fermenters will follow. We're super-strapped for space in Chico so it can't get going soon enough! -B
thx for clearing that up for me...my 17 mnth old kid, prohibits (me) from doin' any "dirty" wrk (research time on the web) myself. - Much Love
The Ruthless Rye beats out any of the former spring beers hands down. Looking forward to picking some up tomorrow and very excited that Bigfoot will arrive earlier this year!
When autumn comes I can't wait for the Harvest Wethop and Celebration. Now Ruthless in December? It's a Festivus miracle! Not as enthused by Tumbler or Glissade, but Torpedos year round so I'm good. Gotta give Sierra dap for keeping prices down as well.
Pumped to hear Ruthless Rye is already out. Absolutley one of my favorite beers can't wait to see it on the shelf in PA.
I'm sure you aren't alone. There's a naysayer for every beer no matter how good it is. Do you like Torpedo?
There were a few days of sublime beer experiences last winter/spring on some promising late Feb/early March days sitting on the porch enjoying Ruthless Rye. It really got me through to the blissful days of full spring and watching my hops sprout in the bineyard, the asparagus poking their heads up in the garden, and the onions start to grow in the raised beds all the while listening to spring training games on the radio. Does anyone have any other beers to recommend as a match for the greatness of spring time?
I found this on Beer Pulse today which is in direct conflict with what I saw (and purchased) last night:
