Churchill's Anny 2014

That would be awesome from a customer perspective, but probably not as attractive to Ivan from a cash flow perspective.

 

I know. That's why I used the words I used. Figured one jab deserved another.

 

I waited in line a couple years ago when it wasn't as bad, but I wouldn't do it again. I'd rather show up after 3pm and get in with no line. Still, tons of great beer with the exception of Pliny the Younger, 120 min and CFH. They actually tapped another keg of CFH, sometime in the evening.

Awesome beer, food and people. A must go to event.

 

I have to agree with most of the people here. Last year was my first one and it was crowded. It emptied out by about 3 and almost everything was still on tap. I got there a little after noon but they still had PtY and 120 on tap. CFH tap had run out but they still had 3 years of bottles for on sight. I left about 3 and they had just tapped another CFH keg. The line at noon was still pretty long and it wasn't impossible to get a beer but it was a bit of a fight. By about 3 it had gone back down to normal capacity and they had even more staff on hand so it was actually better than a usual day there.

I went back the next day with a buddy who couldn't make it the day before and nearly everything was still on tap.

I wouldn't recommend camping for bottles. It would be nice to have one when you wanted it but it's not worth camping out over night for it.

 

How so?

 

Yes. To have one when you wanted it... to trade.

 

I got there at 1am with my brother in law and had a great time just bottle sharing in line. Being in the early heats allowed us to try the CFH vertical and finest sour they had on tap, which was awesome. Would do it again for sure.

It is unfortunate that people cut in line before and after bottles. There needs to be a way to regulate this type of behavior. I like ticketed releases like bpt and such, but there is an aspect to waiting in line with fellow beer geeks that you loose out on.

Just thought I would add a positive opinion to going. See you there next year.

 

Short version - if you could make $10000 today or $10000 over the next year, which would you choose?

Longer version - Ivan has to spend $X on the entirety of CFH. He then sells it three ways:
1) Off-premise bottle sales on the day of the party
2) On-premise bottle sales day of party and throughout the year
3) Draft sales on the day of the party and a few stashed kegs for later.

#1 and #3 recoup costs (and potentially get into profit, but that's tangential) on the day of release, so they're obviously advantageous from a cash flow perspective. Off-premise sales were what, 360 bottles at $25/bottle? That's $9000 of revenue that helps him recoup the cost of CFH much sooner than he would if he did strictly on-premise sales, especially when you factor in storage costs, risk of spoilage/breakage, etc.

 

What if the beer brought in people in the area year around rather than one day a year? Seems like there's potential for the place to earn more by keeping it on premise year around, and only allowing a one bottle limit in house. Would lure plenty of people that happen to be in the area (tourists) that want to try a renown beer.

Establishments (and brewery/brewpubs are no exception) charge way more for on premise consumption, likely increasing the margin in this circumstance. The added benefit is that most people will come in with other people and/or buy more beer while they are there. Seems the potential for earning would be in keeping it in house. Focusing on recouping the cost of one beer is pretty short sighted as a business.

It should be viewed as an investment into the business, not a pain in the ass event to cover an over expenditure.

 

They do have it available on-premise, year-round - it's not ALWAYS available, but it's there off and on.

I don't know why you're looking at it as such a black and white situation, as though his entire focus is recouping the cost, damn everything else. I clearly outlined that the off-premise sales are only a portion of the sales and that he holds back a portion for year-round sales.

If you don't think that the benefit of improved cash flow is worth the hassle of off-premise sales, that's fine. Ivan apparently does, as does Toronado with Cable Car, as do Bottleworks, Brouwers, City Beer, and a host of other bars and beer stores who have special beers made for their anniversaries.

 

I didn't know that.

I don't know why you're looking at it as such a black and white situation, as though his entire focus is recouping the cost, damn everything else. [/quote]
I'm not.

No you didn't.

Never said that. Offered a different perspective.

This doesn't make it smarter.

I see you are very passionate about this issue. As such, I will simply say you're right and be done with this chat.

Cheers
harry

 

If I ran this type of "limited edition" sale, I would tie it into customer loyalty. I would package each bottle with a $100 gift certificate. If you buy the gift certificate, you get the opportunity to buy a bottle of CFH. Regular customers would probably not have an issue since it would be easy to spend $100 over a few visits. Out of towners would be more apt to spend their gift certificate that day since they might not be back any time soon.

Also, gift certificates inevitably get lost, ruined or tossed in a drawer never to be seen again. The unused gift certificates would be 100% profit for Churchills.

 

Isn't that essentially the same strategy for which bottle shop owners seem to get mercilessly ripped on? IE, buy $50 in normal shelf beers and you can buy a 375 of Cantillon.

 

I do not like this one bit sir.

 

agreed and nice Ren And Stimpy reference

 

Thought I'd resurecct this thread as i just decided yestersay that i'll be going.
But as one of the many hated out-of-towners i need to plan a little.

Read the threads from last year.
Looks like if we want bottles we'll have to stand in line really really early (2 am?) Thoughts on this?

Also pretty unclear about Younger.
Im still a Younger virgin so i'd like to be sure to get a couple pours.
They tapped it early last year, is that correct? I might be willing to wait for tickets for bottles then go back to the hotel and sleep a few hrs if
(1) i can buy the bottles later in the day with ticket in hand
and
(2) Younger will still be around

What time does the pub offically open? Looked like ppl said they were re-waiting in line after buying tickets. Is that becuase they dont open until later...like noon? Or because the place is so small that it was essentially full (like Peg's on Huanphu eve?)
Anybody with inside info about this year's event?

Any input is welcomed

 

Rumor is the you'll still have to wait in line for bottles but they will be passing out wristbands so people can't cut. So it will definitely be a shit show. The pub opens at 11am and it will be jammed pack.

 

I'll be there that night when the crowd has gone and I can just drink a bottle there. Fuck that lining up shit.

 

Two years ago I got in line at 8 AM and got bottles. Last year I got in line at 5:30 AM and didn't get bottles. I can only assume you'll have to get in line even earlier this year to have a shot.

Pro-tip: Go that night to get 95% of everything still on tap (probably no Younger or CFH on tap anymore) and just buy a bottle for on-site consumption. I did this last year with friends and it worked out better than waiting around all day like an idiot.