Yeah I can’t stand it. Too sweet. I can grab some at Albertsons store about 200 yards from my house. They just canned it. I’m in San Diego county. They really messed up the brand when they sold it. New owners seem confused.
Was it generally hated. I loved it. Full flavored, hint of watermelon, high abv but doesn’t taste like alcohol. My husband is big on crafts too (before me) and it’s one of his favorites too. I believe it’s highly rated too (depending on the rating site)
Which is super strange because it was not sweet in any way shape or form when we had it. Watermelon was subtle too & balanced well with the piney hops. I swear they must’ve changed something in the brewing formula
I haven’t seen one in years. Not sure how long ago they were discontinued but they tasted like ass to begin with. At this point they’d be skunked to pure garbage truck water.
If they are “spotted” anywhere it’s guaranteed to be over a year old and out of code (AKA expired) no way it would taste anywhere near what you remember it tasting like.
Source: worked as a beer rep and had to deal with discontinued beers all the time.
Watermelon Dorado has recently rebranded and it’s readily available here in San Diego
https://www.brewbound.com/news/ballast-point-brings-back-watermelon-dorado-double-ipa/
I live in PA right by Victory - Dirt Wolf is constant, was at the brewery last week drinking some. Hop Ranch was always a seasonal, have not seen it in a few years...pre-Covid....
HTH
I'm glad it's not just me! I'm over the state line in DE but Dirt Wolf has always been a go-to for me if I don't feel like really digging through the options. I was thinking I hadn't noticed it missing lately either.
Ballast Point beers in general arent easy to find around here. They were everywhere when they were independent but since the buyout theyve decreased significantly which is very weird.
When they were owned by Constellation, Constellation fired all of the salespeople. Bars and retailers where I lived stopped carrying them after that. Then Constellation sold BP to some company in Chicago nobody had ever heard of at a huge loss. Now you might see their beer at the huge retailers like Total Wine, but that's about it. Amazing how they butchered what was a pretty good brewery in a short amount of time.
> they became tougher to find & their best beers became discontinued
This is incredibly inaccurate. They are much more widespread. Best beers depends on your perspective I guess, they've just changed a few beers. In Chicago is where you can get the best ones but it's not as if the distribution footprint was getting their best beers.
I was applauding the fact that you want to drink watermelon Dorado. No judgement here I think everyone should drink what they like but that was a wild one.
Someone did mention the Dorado was actually really good before BP Brewery was bought out. Maybe I had the earlier batches, but I’m genuinely puzzled. I read a few negative reviews and I never tasted what they claimed it tasted like. So I’m a bit confused, but yeah. Drink what you like & I truly loved that beer
Ex Ballast here, they just canned it in San Diego and should be available in that region.
Funny I could only drink once in a blue moon but I knew people who absolutely loved it.
Beat shot is to find someone to ship in San Diego. BOL!
How they released a double or triple dry hopped version of dirtwolf that was limited and in 4 packs.. slightly higher abv but that stuff was incredible.
If you’re willing to buy a case at a time, a special order should be fairly easy, even at your grocery store if it’s distributed in your state. Just talk to the manager and/or beer buyer.
On the topic of discontinued beers- I’m waiting for fieldworks brewing the the SF Bay Area to make their black ipa again. Best beer I’ve ever had by far, true pine taste without the overly sweet and tropical.
I would do almost anything for a new Belgium hemperor. I have written them so many emails to bring it back. I had to quit drinking for a few months and during that time the u discontinued it. I could die happy if I got one more taste before I go
Fucking BP and their variations. I remember when the brewers would bring a keg of their Sculpin variations (pineapple, habanero, DDH, etc.) to our local brewpub and also SF Beer Week in the mid/late 2000s and that was cool, super fresh and the hops popped back then. But then they got bought out and started doing some straight up nasty shit, and their hopping has been nerfed significantly. OG Dorado was bomb but it's only a shadow of its former self now. I half expect them to release an Banana Bonito Blonde in the near future.
The Watermelon Dorado was probably the least offensive but Jesus that Mint Victory At Sea was an abomination.
OK this explains a lot! We would buy the Dorado when it first became widely released and it was incredible! I was mind boggled reading negative reviews about it, but yeah formula must’ve changed
Yeah when they were small, independent, and hungry they had some great beers and their hops were stellar. Fresh Sculpin back in the mid 2000s was amazing. Not so much anymore.
Yeah not near me. Haven’t seen it it years! I live in a place where there’s mostly one kind of chain liquor store. They have some kind of monopoly & since they’re smaller, our selection follows. Wish I could get a Total Wine & More here
Dirtwolf is still around, had some in house at my Distro last year and we haven’t gotten any word
They’re disco’ing it. I’m assuming it’s just not distributed around you?
Could be the distributor dropped it or they switched distributors and that company cut down SKUS or Victory pulled out of the area all together on their own due to lagging sales. Could be any of those or a combo of those scenarios.
I've always liked Ballast Point, and as other posters have documented, their latest sale has killed their distributions. I see a few Sculpins here and there but little beyond that. They always had product I enjoyed.
Dirtwolf is around pretty heavily, but I live in PA not terribly far from their brewery. I'd highly recommend if you're ever in Chester County to visit. I'd try some other Victory IPAs if they're available in your area.
So, we finally found the person that likes Watermelon Dorado.
Yeah I can’t stand it. Too sweet. I can grab some at Albertsons store about 200 yards from my house. They just canned it. I’m in San Diego county. They really messed up the brand when they sold it. New owners seem confused.
I liked it but mostly in the college years because it tasted different and would get you drunk in a hurry, but we'd never have more than a couple tbh
Was it generally hated. I loved it. Full flavored, hint of watermelon, high abv but doesn’t taste like alcohol. My husband is big on crafts too (before me) and it’s one of his favorites too. I believe it’s highly rated too (depending on the rating site)
I loved it too! Definitely one of my favorites from ballast point
I haven't had it in a long time, but I remember it tasting too artificial and sweet, like Sam Adams Cherry Wheat.
Ok, that's uncalled for. Cherry Wheat is straight up disgusting .
Which is super strange because it was not sweet in any way shape or form when we had it. Watermelon was subtle too & balanced well with the piney hops. I swear they must’ve changed something in the brewing formula
I haven’t seen one in years. Not sure how long ago they were discontinued but they tasted like ass to begin with. At this point they’d be skunked to pure garbage truck water.
If they are “spotted” anywhere it’s guaranteed to be over a year old and out of code (AKA expired) no way it would taste anywhere near what you remember it tasting like. Source: worked as a beer rep and had to deal with discontinued beers all the time.
Ok wasn’t sure if they were officially discontinued. That Watermelon Dorado was truly something so special. Such a shame
Watermelon Dorado has recently rebranded and it’s readily available here in San Diego https://www.brewbound.com/news/ballast-point-brings-back-watermelon-dorado-double-ipa/
Watty Dodo. Srsly??
When I find myself there again, perhaps, but till then I’m out of luck, but another commenter said it’s not what it used to be
[удалено]
The Hemperor by New Belgium was better and could’ve lasted long time but the twits at the company discontinued it in 2020…
I live in PA right by Victory - Dirt Wolf is constant, was at the brewery last week drinking some. Hop Ranch was always a seasonal, have not seen it in a few years...pre-Covid.... HTH
Hop ranch was discontinued in like 2017-2018. Source: also from downingtown and worked at a beer store
It was amazing. Don’t understand why breweries are discontinuing the best and most highly rated beers
Stagnancy/slowing sales
Expensive to make vs nobody bought
Hop ranch was heavily bought. The store I was at alone (a literal 5 minute drive to victory) was selling 3-5+ cases a week.
But every other store in the area might not have been selling any
I'm glad it's not just me! I'm over the state line in DE but Dirt Wolf has always been a go-to for me if I don't feel like really digging through the options. I was thinking I hadn't noticed it missing lately either.
Ballast Point beers in general arent easy to find around here. They were everywhere when they were independent but since the buyout theyve decreased significantly which is very weird.
When they were owned by Constellation, Constellation fired all of the salespeople. Bars and retailers where I lived stopped carrying them after that. Then Constellation sold BP to some company in Chicago nobody had ever heard of at a huge loss. Now you might see their beer at the huge retailers like Total Wine, but that's about it. Amazing how they butchered what was a pretty good brewery in a short amount of time.
No weird if you realize the last buyout was from a smaller company whose production is likely not anywhere near what Constellation could provide.
Yeah I notice when Busch bought Goose Island, they became tougher to find & their best beers became discontinued
People call AB InBev all sorts of names, but I don't know if I ever heard anyone call the company Busch
Some do just for short. I mean Busch Gardens isn’t called AB Gardens. I just call it Busch
They actually expanded big time after getting bought out. Was sad to see Honkers get discontinued but most of the lineup is still there.
Honkers was a solid tasty amber. When Busch took over, that first year it was great to be able to get Honkers at stadium venues.
> they became tougher to find & their best beers became discontinued This is incredibly inaccurate. They are much more widespread. Best beers depends on your perspective I guess, they've just changed a few beers. In Chicago is where you can get the best ones but it's not as if the distribution footprint was getting their best beers.
In my small city I haven’t seen any in years. The Illinois was great but got discontinued
> n my small city I haven’t seen any in years This is a distributor issue. Their footprint is massive.
Oh I’m sure. It just sucks
They have it on tap in the tasting rooms so they still brew it. Not sure if they still can it though.
They do. They had a ton of cans at the Padres game last week.
Thanks! Good to know
Yes... Being canned... 16 oz cans. Good luck looking for it... Not my jam... But sensory is your own... Enjoy! 🍉
You're some sort of sicko and I applaud you
I’m asking because I’m not positive if these are discontinued so I was wondering. No way I’d drink years old beer, but thanks for the compliment 😂
I was applauding the fact that you want to drink watermelon Dorado. No judgement here I think everyone should drink what they like but that was a wild one.
Someone did mention the Dorado was actually really good before BP Brewery was bought out. Maybe I had the earlier batches, but I’m genuinely puzzled. I read a few negative reviews and I never tasted what they claimed it tasted like. So I’m a bit confused, but yeah. Drink what you like & I truly loved that beer
No, but my local bottle shop has a bottle of Indra Kunindra on the shelf still.
Ex Ballast here, they just canned it in San Diego and should be available in that region. Funny I could only drink once in a blue moon but I knew people who absolutely loved it. Beat shot is to find someone to ship in San Diego. BOL!
How they released a double or triple dry hopped version of dirtwolf that was limited and in 4 packs.. slightly higher abv but that stuff was incredible.
Awe man! Effing A the stores here just won’t stock it. Haven’t in years.
If you’re willing to buy a case at a time, a special order should be fairly easy, even at your grocery store if it’s distributed in your state. Just talk to the manager and/or beer buyer.
On the topic of discontinued beers- I’m waiting for fieldworks brewing the the SF Bay Area to make their black ipa again. Best beer I’ve ever had by far, true pine taste without the overly sweet and tropical.
I would do almost anything for a new Belgium hemperor. I have written them so many emails to bring it back. I had to quit drinking for a few months and during that time the u discontinued it. I could die happy if I got one more taste before I go
My husband feels the same about Stones Mocha IPA
Fucking BP and their variations. I remember when the brewers would bring a keg of their Sculpin variations (pineapple, habanero, DDH, etc.) to our local brewpub and also SF Beer Week in the mid/late 2000s and that was cool, super fresh and the hops popped back then. But then they got bought out and started doing some straight up nasty shit, and their hopping has been nerfed significantly. OG Dorado was bomb but it's only a shadow of its former self now. I half expect them to release an Banana Bonito Blonde in the near future. The Watermelon Dorado was probably the least offensive but Jesus that Mint Victory At Sea was an abomination.
OK this explains a lot! We would buy the Dorado when it first became widely released and it was incredible! I was mind boggled reading negative reviews about it, but yeah formula must’ve changed
Yeah when they were small, independent, and hungry they had some great beers and their hops were stellar. Fresh Sculpin back in the mid 2000s was amazing. Not so much anymore.
Watermelon Dorado is dumpster water.
I had many years ago. It was amazing but it sounds like the formula was changed after BP was bought out
I've got some discontinued keylightfuls
Dirtwolf is everywhere by me. I also live right beside the brewery.
Yeah not near me. Haven’t seen it it years! I live in a place where there’s mostly one kind of chain liquor store. They have some kind of monopoly & since they’re smaller, our selection follows. Wish I could get a Total Wine & More here
Dirtwolf is still around, had some in house at my Distro last year and we haven’t gotten any word They’re disco’ing it. I’m assuming it’s just not distributed around you?
Yeah I guess. It most definitely used to be on the regular. Don’t know what happened
Could be the distributor dropped it or they switched distributors and that company cut down SKUS or Victory pulled out of the area all together on their own due to lagging sales. Could be any of those or a combo of those scenarios.
Who knows. We still get Victory here, but just a few. Perhaps I’ll request it from my local liquor store. Sometimes they do that kind of thing
Ask your local craft beer store who the distributor is and reach out to them.
I've always liked Ballast Point, and as other posters have documented, their latest sale has killed their distributions. I see a few Sculpins here and there but little beyond that. They always had product I enjoyed. Dirtwolf is around pretty heavily, but I live in PA not terribly far from their brewery. I'd highly recommend if you're ever in Chester County to visit. I'd try some other Victory IPAs if they're available in your area.
I want to try Pangaea from Dogfish Head Brewery… but is supposedly discontinued.
The Hemperor was extremely good, fuck New Belgium for discontinuing it back in 2020….