commercial IPA/Pale having same flavor/aroma

[dirtbikejunkie]

something weird is going on... the last +2months I can not find a commercial (store bought bottled/canned) IPA or Pale that doesn't have the same weird taste and aroma. I would describe it as sweet, a bit high alcohol, and harshness.

I swear I can drink two different beers that I know taste completely different, yet they have no differentiating character and have the same weird flavor/aroma

I can't figure it out. I can only think the stores I am going to are using the same distributor and is not handling the beer well. However, I switch between 4-5 stores.

Is it just me or has anyone else had a similar experience? I am not a huge IPA fan but do enjoy one from time to time.

[spiderwrangler]

I think your mouth is broken.

[dirtbikejunkie]

I think your mouth is broken.

that is my 2nd conclusion as well

[Ozwald]

Possibly a palette sensitivity to something universal between the ones you've tried? Otherwise I'll have to concur with Spider (I gotta stop doing that).

Spider! You're wrong.

I don't know why or have an explanation. But I'm sure of it!

[spiderwrangler]

Spider! You're wrong.

I don't know why or have an explanation. But I'm sure of it!

Your right! How could I have been so blind!

[dirtbikejunkie]

I have concluded it is a case of broken mouth.

Today I picked up some New Belgium Ranger IPA. It's consistent and I know what it should taste like. Same problem, a muddled flavor and aroma and I can't pick up the nuances I remember tasting a year or so ago (e.g. grassy, earthy hop flavor). Instead I taste a strong bitterness that is not as pleasant as I remember and no distinct flavors.

So I am wondering if suddenly my mouth has become overly sensitive to bitterness? I've been drinking a lot more lagers and become very fond of helles/kolsch and noticed I taste a nice bitterness that in years past I never noticed and find them much more flavorful.

[spiderwrangler]

Your mouth got pussified drinking all those lagers... Have you started any new medications recently? Some things can affect perceptions of taste...

[BDawg]

Beat your taste buds into submission with some IIPAs, and throw in some BWs, and RIS for good measure.
That'll make simple little IPAs and APAs seem tame again.