Hill Farmstead Bottle releases

What about two lines for special releases, one bottle-only and one growler-only? This way you can grab whatever bottles you came for then slide over to the growler line and get your fills.

 

Their facebook page is the place to look. He posts updates every so often, but they change quickly so not helpful if the post is a few days old

 

One for growlers and one for bottles?

 

The way it's being done now is really the best way. There really isn't a huge amount of room to be doing 2 lines. Why penalize the people who get there early, which is basically what your proposing. Hypothetically I get their first and get in line for bottles and there are 20 people behind me. Then 10 other people show up not wanting bottles just growlers. Well I'd be the 11th person in line for growlers now. See where I am going with this? The way it is now is first come first serve and that's the way it should be. This would theoretically benefit locals too because they don't have to wake up at 530 to get there by 12 like I do. But I would still like to see it stay this way because it is the most fair.

 

Didn't think about that; that is a good point. Really, there probably isn't a better way to do it with the limited amount of space. Hopefully the limited space issue will be resolved soon enough.

 

This would be much easier in the spring/summer weather permitting. Time to break ground on that dedicated retail space!

 

Now that I'm reading your previous post again, I think I misinterpreted it. I thought you were expressing concern with how separate bottle-only lines have worked in the past, but it seems you were actually addressing another suggestion. If I have that right and it's worked well in the past then, yeah, no need to tinker.

 

I would have to agree with Shaun on this one. The releases have definitely become problematic for the brewery logistically. Realizing that there is no easy solution, they might as well just set a release day and get all of the craziness over with in one shot. Why not then pick then day after the anniversary party, when the maximum amount of people from all over will have access to his beers?

I'm also not only saying this because I have tickets, because they were actually purchased for me by my father for my birthday, but since he can no longer make it and it's his name is on the tickets, I'm SOL from what I understand anyway.

 

This is a very unorthodox move coming from HF but I would expect chaos. Last year, no growler fills next day, no bottles. This year, 3 special bottles AND growler fills.. People may just walk their tents over to the line. I guess their just testing this way out to see how it goes.

 

Who needs a tent just give me a sleeping bag and a rock as a pillow.

 

Omni is the upcoming trip you're planning now scheduled for this release? I'll be going to this release either way, just an annoyingly early start... especially for any growler fills

 

Why'd you have to add an imperial stout?!? I was all set to pass on this release but now I'm not so sure! Must... Practice... Responsible... Spending... ?$%*&@$^%#!!!

How many anniversary party tickets were sold?

 

No I settled on the 16th. I had it scheduled off for work for awhile, thought I was headding down to NYC for a wedding that weekend but turns out I am going on friday or saturday now. The rest of the month is booked solid and I wont be able to take any days off again till mid june.

 

Every time I have been up to HF I have been very pleased with the experience and think they have handle things great, although was greatly disappointed about the Norma Limit being reduced from 2 to 1 after the Wednesday release so I was only able to obtain one on the Friday I went up, but I got some great bottles and incredible growler fills, left extremely happy. All other times have been great as well.

With that said the 26th will be a shit-show, for those who don't have tickets to the Anni party it just doesn't seem worth it, I will wait until Wed/Thurs and see if there is anything left.

 

Will it really be a shit show? I predict a bunch of people hanging out, being able to buy glasses of HF beer with live music playing and Brad from Jackie O's will be there. If that is a shit show then call me a fecalpheliac.

 

Frankly speaking, I do not think that there is any way to handle the bottle releases that will make everyone happy or even drastically reduce the pressure put on the staff of the brewery. I would liken the day after the anniversary release approach to ripping off a band-aid instead of slowly peeling it. Plus, it gives many of those loyal fans who traveled from far away an opportunity to access rarer releases they likely would not get the opportunity to obtain.
With that said, regardless of whether or not bottles begin to show up conveniently closer to me, so long as I am welcome, I will continue to visit the brewery whenever possible. Maybe it's just the fact that I am a history junkie and sustainability nerd, but in my opinion, one of the biggest draws to Hill Farmstead as a brand, and even Vermont as a state as a whole, is the level of value and appreciation that is ascribed to the overall sense of place and land itself. While this philosophy is conveyed to an extent through the beer itself, it can only truly be understood and appreciated when you are standing on those hallowed grounds of Shaun's ancestors.
tl;dr: stop bitchin' and enjoy the ride, I know my corny ass will.

 

What he said!

Even making the drive up from central mass, i really can't complain. It gives me a rare chance to clear my head and take things slow that I don't always get as I travel for work pretty much nonstop.

 

Unfortunately not all of us have the free time anymore(wife, kids, etc.) to hang around all day sampling beer, listening to music and waiting in line for beer, but certainly remembering back to my younger days when time and freedom was the norm instead of the exception I can relate to your point. Cheers!

 

So it sounds like people who are not sleeping over shouldn't get there until 4pm Sunday at earliest if 400-500 sleep-over people will already be in line.

 

What about these "stainless" beers? Is Earl one of them? I'm most interested in that stuff.