WHAT happened to Pete's Wicked ALE???

[ESTCoastbierMan]

Ok Folks, help me out on this:

I got a six of Pete's wicked BROWN ale lately... well actually it was about a year ago.. BUT.. .the point is.. I remember it being dark Brown. Dark brown, hoppy, malty, and pretty damn good. BUT... this time, it's NOT dark at all. It's hoppy, yes, but it's pale as a pimply 98-pound weakling teenager first day of senior week. It's like every other mass-marketed Micro-imitation pale ale that thinks it's got the Kahoonas to be called a "craft ale". I was NOT that drunk folks.. .Pete's has been bought out by who knows who for about 10 years now, although Pete may still be a paid spokesman, but this CANNOT be. Am I nuts on this? has NOONE noticed? or have I been so long out of touch that it's old news by now? Look for yourself. .the cap says "best american BROWN ale from.. .1991 or whatever.. . but look at it in the liquor store lighting. that is NOT Pete's.
Please,
it's all about the Beer,
and may the yeasties shine on you... Shalom

[fretlessman71]

...yeah, they're gone. The brew, not to mention the brewery, is nevermore. If you ever got to have the beer when they still had the cool dog on the bottle cap, THAT was a good beer. Those days are long gone, and it's really too bad. Pete's Wicky-Wicky Brewery has become..... the MACRO MICRO BREWERY (coming soon to a drive-in theatre near you)!!!!! AAAAAUUGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! (shriek!)

[steveh]

Based on this thread I've tried both Pete's Wicked Ale (the supposed original) and Pete's Summer in the past couple of weeks.

ESTCoast is right on about the Wicked being a completely different beer than it used to be - much lighter in color and different malts being used. That said, it really wan't a bad beer; malty, good body. Although, I don't think I could get over missing the great beer that it used to be.

The Summer isn't a bad beer as a Summer refresher, certainly more complex and flavorful than the swillsners out there, but given a choice - I'd take an Oberon first.

S.

[bhoshour]

The demise of a good beer. I'm glad you said something in this post. I was a moderate fan of the Wicked Ale, but I haven't had it in years and it seems that I won't be having it any time soon. Thanks for the heads up. I wish people DEMANDED more out of their beer. Maybe if people quit buying piss, they'd quit making it........

[jsmurphy]

I thought it was just my bad memory. I picked up some Wicked Brown a coupla months ago, because the price was right. It wasn't the same as I remembered from years ago. Now I know why.

[paul84043]

I haven't bought a Mega in almost a year now since I started brewing my own and I think that my friends mega consumption rate has dropped dramatically as well.

I had some Pete's a year ago...pretty lame stuff...it's too bad.

Wicky wicky brew....that's funny....!!

[ESTCoastbierMan]

Thanks for all your help on the Poser pete's wicked BROWN ale. Has anyone asked the brewery people to explain this?
But remeber.. the guy you talk to via E-mail is just some poor under-paid desk-jocky, SO please. Be civil. Save any uncomplimentary words for the bozos in corporate who made them change the recipie.
PS:
For the Record, The first ICE beer to come on the main market was Genesee ICE beer, in Bottles, -and it was in fact very good beer. They even beat Bud Ice on the scene. But of course.. since they changed hands it's just more yellow fizz., and is only avalible in cans. hmff! guess I'll just have to make it myself.

[Fast_Eddy]

Pete's Website Explanation of recipe change (http://www.peteswicked.com/faq/faq_828.html)

[BREWERDLUX]

Did I read correctly......."considerably more flavor than ever before"?????????????? What a bunch of horse sh&^!!!!!!
Anyone who has ever tasted The Original American Brown Ale knows that that is some corprate mumbo jumbo....................
Im done ranting......For now.

[Fast_Eddy]

Most corporations seem to believe (and maybe rightly so) that if they say it then people will believe it. So if they say it has more taste then it must...

[beerturtle]

I remember trying Pete's Strawberry Blonde about 5 yrs. ago and loving it, great strawberry flavor and maltiness, etc. About a month ago, I picked up a variety pack (Strawberry Blonde, Brown, Helles, and Summer Brew) and was disappointed. There was a lot less character to the SB than i remembered (strawberry essence barely tasteable, no other real character), and the only brew i really enjoyed was the Helles since it didn't taste similar to the other three (actuqally had some distinguishable malt character and hops weren't too overpowering). Just a big disappointemnt, since I had previously had a good experience with PW.

just my 2 cents,

bt:mad:

[chazwicke]

I have always regarded Pete's beer as stepping stone beers just as Sam Adams. A good starting place for the novice. I have not had them in years. I heard Pete is now in the Chocolate Business.

[Brownbeard]

I'll still pick up a sixer of the Strawberry Blonde. It is refreshing on a hot day, and SWMBO really likes it.

[ratman03]

I haven't been drinking Pete's for years, but now I know that I was not the only one with a quizzical look on my face when I drank one a couple years back. I knew there was trouble when I read that at one point (maybe 1995 or so) they had 14 beer styles on the shelves, many of which tasted amateurish (Ever tried Pete's Maple Porter? Yuck). A classic sign of corporate exploitation and disregard for quality.
It may be a sentimental nod to the past, but I too remember Pete's being wicked good back in the early 90's.

[vivelachouffe]

I haven't had Pete's since probably '96. I don't remember being that impressed then. Post recipe change?

[warmstorage]

i'm a little ashamed to admit that recently, i fell for a ridiculously low priced Pete's sampler pack ($7 for a 12 pack). i live near a Rite Aid in San Diego, in a beach area, and with all the coastal humidity, i was looking for "easy drinking" beer. i have friends who variously refer to this type of beer as "guest beer" and "refrigerator beer" [i.e., not gonna cellar this stuff], and i was thinking it wouldn't hurt to have some cheap beer on hand.

what a damn mistake. i agree with most all other statements above: the Wicked Bad has become a sad, thin, metallic pale of its former self, the strawberry blonde has lost most of the fruit essence depth which used to make it a good hot day beer (see, all of you who think i'll only drink strong, hoppy beers: i used to actually like strawberry blonde!). the summer beer was fizzy yellow garbage, and the Helles, while arguably the most drinkable of the box, was certainly not very good, nor up to style/history.

sad.

[Brownbeard]

Yeah, I'll admit the strawberry blonde is not as good as it was even 2 years ago. It used to be a lot more, well, strawberry.

[Stodbrew]

[i]Originally posted by chazwicke
I heard Pete is now in the Chocolate Business.

Indeed Pete is in the Chocolate business. It's called Cocoa Pete's Chocolate Adventures. I was fortunate enough to be one of his guinea pigs when he was formulating his recipes. The chocolates he's making are delicious. Milk chocolate and malt. Dark chocolate with strawberries. And chocolate with coffee. Delicious. I think, though, they're only available in Northern CA, but I'm not sure. Check out www.cocoapetes.com for more info.

Cheers!

Steve

[chazwicke]

I am afraid to let my wife see that sight.

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I am afraid to let my wife see that sight.


LOL!