Jester King Craft Brewery

Discussion in 'Southwest' started by rainerschuhsler, Apr 5, 2013.

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  1. mattchow

    mattchow Pundit (985) Jun 24, 2012 Texas

    Do you have the same choice dilemma when you go into a normal bar or do you stick to what you know?
     
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  2. Lutter

    Lutter Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2010 Texas
    Deactivated

    I'd like to point out that for $12, you can sample their entire regular lineup as 4oz samples (the first 5 beers).
     
  3. ShowerBeer_

    ShowerBeer_ Initiate (0) Jun 17, 2013 Texas

    Unfortunate but probably the norm. The last few beer tours (Austin,Houston,Dallas) I went on gave out 2oz samples. I'm guessing the 6oz samples were an added bonus until everyone and their mom got wind that Jester King is making quality beer. I'll tak 2oz of JK over none anyday.
     
  4. WhiteRock

    WhiteRock Initiate (0) May 23, 2013 Texas

    If possible I always try something new. Rarely stick with the same beer every time I go out.
     
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  5. andys_war_hall

    andys_war_hall Devotee (335) Dec 7, 2012 Texas

    I'm sure that I am going to get buried for this but I have to ask.

    So how are the new laws going to effect new JK releases going forward? I know that there will likely be "bottle release parties" for Viking Metal, and Atrial Rubicite. But does that mean they will be sold ONLY at the brewery, and ONLY on that certain day?

    I'm concerned that living anywhere but Austin, will limit what I have access to. I've braced myself for the fact that I may never have the pleasure of tasting those listed above. I know I could make it down for the bottle release parties, but I would rather that be the exception not the rule.

    Let me also say, I am excited for JK, and really glad that they will be able to make more money and grow their business. Hopefully I will be able to keep enjoying the fruits of their labor.
     
  6. kmello69

    kmello69 Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2011 Texas

    Very happy to see this all coming to reality.

    Personally, for selfish reasons, I was hoping that by cutting out the middle man bottle prices would drop a little, justifying the cost of the drive out to JK (45 minute drive each way for me), but that doesn't look to be the case. Oh well, you can't get everything you want. At least the money is going to the brewer.
     
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  7. nsheehan

    nsheehan Savant (1,182) Jul 3, 2011 Texas
    Trader

    Yes, but then the next three are $10 more, and the next four are $13.5 more. I was hoping to go to JK soon and would be a little disappointed if it's going to cost over $30 to sample their twelve tap room beers. I'd pay $15 or maybe $20 for smaller pours of most/all the tap room beers. Also, the four outdoor beers don't even have a sampler size. I was looking forward to sampling RU-55 and Funk Metal (well, all of the beers, I've only had a couple so far). Without sampler sizes I don't know if I'll be able to try them (for $ and because I might be driving and I'm not trying to push my limit).

    I strongly fall on the side of good samplers (with WhiteRock et al.), 2 or 3 oz pours in sets of six or so, for a fair price (for both consumers and JK). For reference, the first time I went to Russian River the sampler was extremely well priced, on the side of generous. IIRC, you can choose six (or more?) beers from one or both sides of their menu (American side/Belgian side), for under $10 per side.

    IMO breweries should try their best to provide the best sampler they can, as the people who get them are oftentimes A. wanting to try as many of the beers as possible and decide if this is a brewery they want to regularly support (buy bottles off the shelf).
    B. Visiting the area and want to try all the beers, and I'd say beer tourism (for Austin and JK) won't get far if good samplers aren't offered.
     
  8. bccocx

    bccocx Initiate (0) Jan 13, 2007 Texas


    Please look again: http://jesterkingbrewery.com/images/604.jpg

    Commercial Suicide - 16 oz. - $4
    Viking Metal - 8 oz. - $6
    RU55 - 8 oz. - $6
    Funk Metal - 8 oz. - $6
     
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  9. kmello69

    kmello69 Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2011 Texas

    Not sure 8 and 16 oz are considered "samples" - dude wants to be able to drive home. :wink:
     
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  10. bccocx

    bccocx Initiate (0) Jan 13, 2007 Texas


    Yeah I guess those would be considered very "healthy samples." I'm hoping that you can get .5 - 1.0 oz. sample if you want to "try before you buy" much like many bars offer. I think this would be really helpful for those getting into craft beer.
     
  11. jbeezification

    jbeezification Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2012 Texas

    Screw those guys, there should be more for me!!
     
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  12. reverseapachemaster

    reverseapachemaster Zealot (722) Sep 21, 2012 Texas

    Fairly pricey for a tap room.
     
  13. air

    air Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2007 Texas

    Yup, I say no harm in asking. Can't imagine why someone pouring the beer would be opposed to that; I definitely would be ok with it if I were the one pouring.
     
  14. aschwab

    aschwab Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2009 Texas

    For selfish reasons, I have always liked the way the breweries operated before to be able to get a glass and samples for $10.

    However, I am extremely happy that this law passed for the breweries.

    With that said, I find these prices steep for what you are offering. It is just my opinion...but most tap rooms that I have been to throughout the US seem to have very good prices for their beers. They encourage people to try a lot of their beers. This menu seems to do the opposite.
     
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  15. OrificeBizarre

    OrificeBizarre Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2012 Texas

    i hope i can still buy a glass and get my pours in that.
     
  16. cmoody91

    cmoody91 Initiate (0) Mar 21, 2010 Illinois

    Wonderful news guys!! The tap room menu looks amazing, and seriously, those are still AMAZING prices. I would seriously love if more bars/taprooms in Chicago had pricing closer to what you guys have listed, as well as the option of different serving sizes. Can't wait to try the Experimental Sour, Ol Oi and Viking Metal, that menu makes me jealous.

    Congrats again Jeff and everyone else at Jester King.
     
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  17. aschwab

    aschwab Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2009 Texas


    They clearly state you can't do what they have been doing.

    You can probably buy a glass.

    You can buy pours.

    But you wont be able just to pay $10 and get 6 pours....
     
  18. jesterkingbeer

    jesterkingbeer Pundit (841) Jun 28, 2010 Texas

    Yes, our bar tenders will be instructed to let people try a small pour (~0.5-1.0 oz.) for free in order to see if you'd like to purchase a glass.

    - Jeff
     
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  19. nsheehan

    nsheehan Savant (1,182) Jul 3, 2011 Texas
    Trader

    vvvvvvvvvvv

    Exactly, I have never seen a sample size larger than 6oz, and that's what I'd consider healthy. 8oz is a half pint.
    Err, I should clarify. I've never seen a purchased sample larger than 6oz. The way TX breweries have done free half-glass samples (or whatever you see/call it) has maybe conditioned Texans to think of 8oz as a sample...
    But trying a brewery's whole lineup at 8oz a pop... can take some time, not that that I've seen that offered if they have more than a handful of beers.

    I would be surprised if you couldn't get a tiny 0.5oz taster, but if that's the only way to get less than 8oz of the outdoor beers, I suppose some people will ask for a tiny 0.5oz taster of all four beers. So then the consumer might look like a d-bag, but the bartender looks like a d-bag to the consumer if he/she says no, and good will isn't built.

    I was able to try every beer Russian River had on tap for just under $20, I think 13 beers. And at 2 or 3oz. each I was very ready for more samplers when we got to Lagunitas an hour later. I'm just bringing up RR because I recognize sour and barrel-aged beers are more difficult and expensive to make, so it's a decent comparison sampler wise.
    Edit: Saw JK post above, still curious about people asking to 'tiny sample' all outdoor beers.
     
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  20. jamescain

    jamescain Initiate (0) Jul 14, 2009 Texas

    I think its funny how people complained about the old way and they wanted to be able to just buy a glass. Now people can do that and they realize how good of a deal the old way was before the change. Personally I'm glad the law has changed.

    JK's prices are actually very reasonably priced. Most tap rooms throughout the US are not selling BA sours/wild ales.
     
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