Alpine lager

[OldBreweryDrinker]

The pump does look good, but not sure who is going to drink it apart from people driving. Believe it can be ordered from the 14th of November.

[OnTheDrink]

The pump does look good, but not sure who is going to drink it apart from people driving. Believe it can be ordered from the 14th of November.

That was the date I heard. I think that at 1.46 a pint it might attract more than drivers!

[OldBreweryDrinker]

The pump does look good, but not sure who is going to drink it apart from people driving. Believe it can be ordered from the 14th of November.

That was the date I heard. I think that at 1.46 a pint it might attract more than drivers!

Yes especially the Sams pubs out in the sticks it migth help them get more custom. Or the food houses like Dyneley Arms at Pool

[ian]

Just found this about Alpine Lager.

http://ralph-dot.blogspot.com/

[ralph-dot]

direct to the blog

http://ralph-dot.blogspot.com/2011/11/alpine-lager-warning.html

people do not seem to know about the strength change

[OnTheDrink]

direct to the blog

http://ralph-dot.blogspot.com/2011/11/alpine-lager-warning.html

people do not seem to know about the strength change

Hiya, and welcome to the forum!

I'm not surprised people don't - I've not seen any posters advertising new Alpine. The only people that know are regulars.  Not a bad pint though, especially for just 2.8% alcohol.

[ralph-dot]

direct to the blog

http://ralph-dot.blogspot.com/2011/11/alpine-lager-warning.html

people do not seem to know about the strength change

Hiya, and welcome to the forum!

I'm not surprised people don't - I've not seen any posters advertising new Alpine. The only people that know are regulars.  Not a bad pint though, especially for just 2.8% alcohol.

Thanks for the welcome but I have been here for a long time, just had nothing to say

[OldBreweryDrinker]

Not seen any adverts or publicity, which is typical of the brewery. Not installed in the pub that i was in last night. But is in the most of the other ones in the area.

[anderjim]

Well, our customers in the Highlands are gutted about the loss of Alpine (I've allowed them to help decide whether or not to keep it at the new strength), yet the sun seems still to rise in the east and set in the west.

We're auditioning alternative lagers over the next couple of months. First on is Harp Irish Lager at 4.3%, owned by the world's largest drinks company (Diageo) but brewed by family-owned Hyde's of Manchester. Funny old world.

So far, so good, and the price is in line with that of Auld Alpine. Only Humphrey isn't getting a penny of it.

Or is he...?

[DarkieBoy]

Well, our customers in the Highlands are gutted about the loss of Alpine (I've allowed them to help decide whether or not to keep it at the new strength), yet the sun seems still to rise in the east and set in the west.

We're auditioning alternative lagers over the next couple of months. First on is Harp Irish Lager at 4.3%, owned by the world's largest drinks company (Diageo) but brewed by family-owned Hyde's of Manchester. Funny old world.

So far, so good, and the price is in line with that of Auld Alpine. Only Humphrey isn't getting a penny of it.

Or is he...?

I'd all-but forgotten about Harp..."Harp stays sharp"!  You'll be trying Skol next ...and whatever happened to Castlemaine XXXX? Hydes also brew cask Boddingtons.

DB.

[samsdrinker]

Bring back hoffmeister i say was a lovely lager

[Iwant4.2%alpine]

As a regular Alpine /Ayingerbrau drinker for 10 years I am gutted about the passing of Alpine.  There is only one pub or club selling Sam Smiths near to where I live.  When it was announced that Alpine would be reduced in strength to 2.8% they decided to change to Taddys.  The club thought no one would drink 2.8% lager.  So that was that.  I tried Taddys and it was so sickly sweet I could not finish the pint.  I've been diabetic for many years and don't eat or drink anything sweet.  So I am probably over-sensitive to sugar or honey. Still the fact remains I found Taddys utterly disgusting and have been forced to drink Carling ever since.  I regarded Alpine as the finest lager in the world and now it is lost. 

I know that 2.8% Alpine (at least in bottles) is doing well.  Very good, but why did we have to lose 4.5% Alpine?  Couldn't we have both (one re-branded)?  And then why was Alpine chosen for the drop in strength rather than Taddys?  Most pubs/clubs will have only one Sam Smiths pump head and it will be Taddys, not Alpine.  The new 2.8% Alpine should have been re-branded because people who order it thinking it is the old 4.5% that competes with Carling are going to feel very short-changed, and then switch immediately. 

To me Taddys tastes like the most disgusting lager in the world.  May be a lot of people like it.  But I cannot stomach it, no matter how many people tell me it is just the same.  I can still taste that one pint of Taddys and I have no intention of ever drinking it again.  And  can't drink Alpine at 2.8% because no nearby pubs sell it, and I can't drink 4.5% Alpine because it is gone.  So Sam Smiths won't get any of my 2,000 pints/year trade and I'm very sad.

Don't say find 2.8% at the supermarket, because I am part of the dying breed that likes to go out, have a game of darts, or social chat with a pint or several at my pub or club.  I don't drink in the house.

I'm surprised as to how many people do not know the reason for the switch to 2.8%, but it is reduced excise duty, so the lager can be sold at a much cheaper price.  http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/news/news-120911.htm

[OnTheDrink]

Welcome to the forum.

Alpine was a cracking drink and easily the best Brit lager made in the UK. I'm not going to waffle on about the balanced taste, the hop aroma, clean, bitter aftertaste, full body, because it just upsets me!

Frankly, how a company can abandon a superb product just because it costs a little more to produce than Taddy, beggars belief, but that's often the way with Sam Smiths's, as you're probably only too aware.  Not only has the company lost trade in their pubs but the free trade hasn't taken kindly to losing Alpine either. It's all very well offering them 2.8% Alpine but most pubs don't want to know.

New 2.8% Alpine is ok and as I'm trying to cut down on my alcohol intake it suits me well, but I still have a hankering for the real thing.

Pure Brewed is a fine lager as well, maybe even as good if not better than Alpine, but a lot more expensive and my local doesn't sell it anyway.

[Iwant4.2%alpine]

Hi "Onthedrink",

Thank you for the welcome.

I think any rational businessman wanting to take advantage of the 2.8% limit would have looked at sales of Alpine vs sales of Taddy and said we sell more Taddy than Alpine, therefore we'll reduce the Alpine %.  If, on the other hand, they sold more Alpine, then it would have been a very poor business decision. ( I rather suspect Taddy sold more, but I cannot think why)

A victim of commerce.  I understand it, but I don't like it much!

Thanks for the tip on "Pure Brewed".  I'll look out for it.   Unfortunately, I like to walk back from the pub/club, so I'm limited to what's on offer locally.  I really don't like Carlsberg that much and it contains chemicals! but needs must.

[east coast beer drinker]

You have my sympathies - don't think I could face life without OBB.   

I too have often wondered why drop the best and most popular lager down to a low strength and then try to introduce everyone to Taddy? I just don't get it.