Did Hamer's turn in to a poor pellet?

I'd call them directly and pose the same question them, as you did to us. Sometimes companies change things in hopes of saving some money, and unless they hear negative feedback from long term customers like you they may not even realize there's a problem.

They do leave a heavy coarse ash from what I have burned.

I stopped burning them 2 years ago but they were going down hill for me. That's why I switched.

There wood source probably has changed, you cant always get the same wood for years and years, pellets that were once great are now not so, heard somerset's went down the tube too

Sorry to hear that. I have a Quadra-Fire Mt. Vernon E2. I’ve burned Hamer's for 4 years, 5-6 tons/year, always performed well but ironically I’ve had the opposite experience than you this year. They are burning better than ever for me. In years past, even with a newly cleaned stove and max combustion air I always had some level of clinkers upon daily cleaning of the burn pot. This year, about 20 bags in, zero residue when I dump the pot. This batch was purchased in New Milford, CT....

I have learned there are no great pellets year to year. I have went back and forth with Hamers and Somersets. Luckily the are on opposite years of good and bad. This year I am back to Somersets as the are good this year. Hated them last year.

I burned EZblaze Super Premium softwoods for couple years.
always had lot of fines but a very hot low ash pellet. pellets we're very small and burned up quick.
this year absolutley no fines and the pellets are 3 different sizes in the bag.
small/med/bit long..i'm happy...