Jester King Craft Brewery

Good point. Even if you get say $150 of worth of buy in beers, that cuts it down to $150 remaining. To make up that difference you would have to buy 66.67 bottles. At $200 buy in worth of beers with $100 remaining, you would have to buy 44.44 bottles.

 

You get roughly a little over $200 - $210 worth of beer with the $295 you put in.

So for $85, you get a piece of merch (last year was a badass hoodie) and 15% off and exclusive purchase rights and allocations. So basically, if you spend $550 on Bruery beer throughout the year (that's roughly 30-35 beers), you don't end up wasting a dime on the reserve society (ive already spent close to $600 this year thus far).

 

Yo, you got about 20 BT's this go around, right?

 

I'm part of the Crooked Stave RS with a buddy who lives near the brewery. We split the $300 buy-in, they offer an initial package of some great stuff, two bottles each making it easier to split. They also give first-dibs on some releases as well as leftovers, all at 15% off along with some pimp merch and other goodies. Definitely a much better deal than Hill Farmstead wanting $350 for 12 bottles and a fancy hand-carved box. RS in itself is not a bad thing (though I do see the potential for abuse of it), but I would love if JK did one when it's legal -- more direct $$ in their pockets for even more great stuff in the future!

 

I despise this trend both on a personal and advocacy level. Limiting access on certain beers based on a club membership is lazy and rewards those with more $ and not necessarily a passionate fan.

I unfortunately have seen way too much of the hording mentality and entitlement in recent months on our regional threads..next person to claim that some new TX beer is a "whale" (please never use that word again) is going to get a d-punch. And no, buying a case of beer does not entitle you to shit besides a case of beer to drink..you get no kudos for acting like you spend more money than someone else by me.

 

Yeah but $300 is the Bruery price - doesn't mean JK would/could charge that. Since their bottle prices are lower, I'd assume the buy in would be lower - maybe $200 or $225. That narrows the gap significantly, and makes the small expense not going to bottles or swag worth it for the guarantee of bottles. At least for me.

 

$200 would be in the ballpark for JK. Frankly, I don't care for any "cool" merchandise to guild the lilly but that's just me.

I take that back. I would be interested in a higher end piece of bar ware. Like a Riedel snifter or tulip glass with appropriate logo etched into it.

 

ISO: Jester King Reserve Society Teku.

 

I'll pay $300 but they have to stick me head first in that barrel with the strawberries.

 

Sounds like I'm in the minority but I have no problem paying a premium on a $/bottle basis to ensure that I get those bottles and don't have to spend hours trying to track them down.

Ill also say Ill pay a premium to a brewery I like to get special releases simply because I enjoy the brewery. In JK's case they are my favorite brewery. So even if I am paying a high premium to have some special releases and be a part of a RS that wouldn't bother me. They are my favorite brewery. I have no issue supporting and promoting what they do. In a way I can just consider it a donation to a company/group that does something I truly enjoy.

Just my opinion but Jeff, if this were to occur. I would be one of the first to sign up and be there year after year. Love what yall are doing!

 

I love the adventurous and spirited vision that JK has for their beer. I like a lot of your beers and think you are one of the most important breweries in the state. Here's some initial considerations about the RS type deal for y'all.

• Do you have enough world-class beers yet to satisfy the price point of the RS and not dilute your regular lineup available to everyone? I think JK is probably still another year or so away from being at this point. There is no Black Tuesday type beer to catalyze demand yet, but I think some of the fruit variations, gueze, and coolship stuff they are starting could get them to that point. Bringing back variations of the Rodeo stouts would help as well.
• How does the location of the brewery impact things like pickup, special tastings, and other members only events? For everyone who lives north of downtown Austin (and outside Austin), going out to JK a dozen times a year is challenging if you have a career and family. It's a great property to visit, but it's a pain in the butt to get out there any time other than the weekends. A central location in Austin to fulfill some of those roles would be a huge asset. The Bruery and Crooked Stave are located in heavily populated and central areas, making them a more realistic destination during the week.
• Do you prefer to gather the capital for ambitious brews from a RS-type society or private investors? What impact does that have on public perception? The first question only JK can answer. I don't recall the financial reasons for The Bruery or Crooked Stave. As far as perception, it would definitely garner more national attention as well as raise the bar on expectations. I think JK mostly appeals to craft beer drinkers who are willing to spend $15-$20 on a bottle. That's just not most craft beer drinkers. So those who whine about it are probably ones that whine about the cost of the beer already. For those who trade often, they would love to have those beers as trade bait.
• How do you manage the bottle allotments? Rather than saying you have to get all 10 beers throughout the year, allow them to manage their allotment. Set prices for each beer and allow them to spend the initial fee (let's say $300) on whichever beers or merchandise they want...if everything has the same markup, you make the same profit for investment, find out what people like most, and can offer any leftovers to the public after a certain period of time. I think the flexibility would be welcomed by the consumer.

 

If a reserve society makes the eventual chase for Jester Kings first Spontaneous sour easier to get, then I will join. No brainer.

 

I would prefer a society-less Jester King.

 

FYI... Jester King CENSORED (Salt Lick) Pecan Wood Smoked Saison is now label approved.

 

Put me in the camp of FOR a JK RS. I wasn't familiar with how it worked until looking at the above posts, and it sounds like a pretty good idea. I believe there would be enough demand for it to work, especially if applicable laws pass and JK is able to open a taproom. The barrel and coolship projects in the work should help supply the RS as well.

The way I see myself doing it is splitting the cost with a friend. He lives in Kyle and I'm in South Austin, so picking up our bottles wouldn't be an issue. My wife and I already have plenty of JK swag, but more wouldn't be a problem. We need a Funk Metal onesie for our newborn.

 

Thanks for all the good information regarding the pros and cons of a reserve society. Just as a reminder, we didn't bring the topic up on this thread and hadn't previously given it much thought. Maybe someday it would make sense for us and our supporters. For now, we're content to focus on taking advantage of the opportunities that a potential law change in Texas would allow us. Specifically, we seek to increase our temperature controlled space for oak fermentation, develop a robust fruited sour program and keep the momentum going with our coolship batches once the weather gets cold again.

- Jeff

 

Lol. This was another thing I was going to suggest as a potential remedy for some earlier concerns voiced. You guys are doing my jerb. Thank you. Now I can sit back and play Battlefield 3.

 

If this ever happens, I might go halfsies with you, depending on how the program is carried out.


Also, beer baptism?

 

I thought I remembered reading an article how the weather plays in effect as to the usage of a coolship. But I cannot recall what the main point was. Could you explain exactly how the cool weather plays favorably into that?

 

Wow, I didn't know all this about RS'. LET'S DO IT!!!!!!!!!