Smithwicks Pale Ale - different?

[admin]

Was in two different pubs over the weekend where I had SPA in both. I have to say it was noticeably hoppy, and if you know your hops you'd identify it as Amarillo or similar. I've been drinking SPA since it came out, on and off, but it has never been this hoppy imo.

Anyone else reckon they've upped the hop rates?

[CB_Phil]

Can't say bout upping the hops, but I tired it in a bottle when it 1st came out & bought some last week & noticeably different from what I remembered (1st time was too long back to put my finger on it)

[Shane Phelan]

I drank it when it first came out and found it surprisingly hoppy and I actually really enjoyed it! Then a few months later it descended into bland nothingness. I tried draft and bottles in several locations and it had definitely changed for the worse. I had assumed they were 'dumming' it down to make it appeal to a wider audience. 

They must have changed it again, I must try it. 

[Tom]

I've had SPA a couple of times. The first it was disappointing (in a sense, though not unsurprising). The second time, in Dublin, it was one of the most amazing mass-produced beers I've ever had.

Maybe it tastes different in each pub, like Smithwick's red seems to? Or is that a can of worms...

[DEMPSEY]

As Shiny said,that's my experience of it too. The first time I drank it,you could taste the hops but as time moved on,the hops could not be noticed. Became quite bland and was deffo as a Lager replacement target. Scary that someone in Diageo might be listening to the brewers for a change and allowing this beer go and find new customers,not Lager drinkers. Coors might be given them a wake up call .

[Padraic]

I saw the tap on saturday and ignored it in favour of a beamish! I'll give it another chance to win me over...

[Paul]

Anyone know how well it's selling or if it's now permanent ?

When they launched, it was brewed in a small batch and was meant to be first of a series of "craft" beers.

[Spud395]

I actually switched from it to Guinness yesterday as I was finding it too hoppy! 

ah now Ted!

[LordEoin]

how has this beer slipped completely past me? to the offie!