Ticketed Releases: Yay or Nay?

It sounds like the lack of clear communication with customers was the main problem here.

 

As far as I can tell, the best way to release highly sought-after beer is to just quietly put it on the shelf with posted limits (enforced at checkout) without a bunch of hoopla. Lotteries, tickets etc. just seem to drive the hype train.

 

Had the same thing happen to me twice today..I visit my stores pretty frequently and havent heard whispers of a "list" but whwn I called today every store magically had a list and believe it or not they were all full with the stores allotment already accounted for. I was lucky that the guys knew me and still gave me an allotment but that would of put a damper un my day. All in all N.Y. was lucky to get a decent amount available. Im in favor of lists and tickets but it has to be VERY clear. Although like most things there's always one asshole in the world who screws it up for everyone by finding a flaw... the flaw being the same asshole calls those stores everyday and is on 10 lists.

 

I was a ticketed customer for the event to which you are referring. Number 1 of 31, in fact. I arrived at said store just after 1 p.m. and there was absolutely no one around waiting at that time. Things looked relatively safe for me to go across the street for a coffee and to do some work, and I came back over around 2:30, at which point no one really had arrived yet. Tickets began to be handed out around 3 p.m., and by that point three or four others had shown up. Most people did arrive in the 4 p.m. hour, which meant that you probably didn't miss it by too much. Which must bite, I'm sure.

Last year, I arrived two hours early and was number 27 of 30. Had I come just 10 minutes later, I would have lost out. And I have lost out on quite a few ticketed events.

I'm giving this long explanation to say that, for some events, the line really does form hours in advance. They are quite firm with the ticketing rules this year. Once you pull a ticket, you are expected to stay in the store. The idea, I think, is to be able to free up people to walk around the store and not be forced to stand in a line for three hours. It probably frees up space around the registers for people who are buying other beers, too. Yes, there is a bit of looseness in that they'll allow you to go get a coffee or something, but you are expected to remain in the area. I think this issue arose from people pulling tickets and leaving completely, and they had to clamp down on that.

For me, an event like this is equivalent to standing in line for a concert. Back in the olden days before Ticketmaster changed all that. I won't stand in line for everything, and I won't take half a day off from work for everything. But I will do it for this. Yes, I realize that not everyone gets that luxury, and no, it's not always fair. But I do believe that if it means something, you just have to make the time. We got a week's notice on this one, and I had to work hard to change my schedule around to accommodate this event. But my philosophy is to go to one place, show up very early, and wait my turn. I have no intentions of running around town looking.

The retailer in question has tried just about everything to please its customers: 2:00 releases, 5:00 releases, 6:00 releases, and now, 7:00 releases. They have ticketed some events, and demanded lines for others. And in the case of Black Note, they have broken up 4-packs so there would be more to go around. Some people think that's a great idea, but others would criticize breaking up packs that way (I noticed that quite a few retailers broke up KBS packs). And to this retailer's credit, there are *absolutely no* "lists." But the bottom line is that demand always outstrips supply, and there is little that can be done to please everyone.

I'm really sorry to hear about your issues with all of this, and I'm glad to hear that you still think highly of this store. A lot of people just don't get it, and they complain without good reason. But you do seem to understand, and I think you're just voicing your frustration. And that is totally valid. Truth is that I probably won't be doing these sorts of things for too much longer myself. They're fun, but I simply have too many responsibilities as it is. I'm just trying to get it out of my system for now.

Whatever happens, I wish you the very best of luck in finding some Black Note. I've never been able to get any myself, and I totally understand why you've made such an effort to obtain it.

 

I got the call around 515 that the tickets were all gone. Disappointed, to say the least but at least someone called to let me know. It would be nice to have known I had to get there at 4 to have a shot at a 7:00 release but I digress. This is the most popular store in Atlanta, and you just can't appease everyone. I hope I have better luck tomorrow, still love this spot.

 

If it's any consolation, my experience has been that KBS requires the longest wait times (i.e. you have to come earlier). Other releases, not so much. Terrapin WC Moo-Hoo and CR WnB had lead times of about one hour, and most of the Founders Backstage Beers are less than that, depending on what they are.

Interestingly, when CBS came it was open to all comers. The truck came, they announced, and you drove/ran as fast as you could. I got some only because my wife was on her lunch break and saw the truck and went straight over for me. I'm a lucky dude, to say the least. But then they were criticized for this approach, which prompted more controlled releases.

It's hard to say with Black Note. I think the issue here is more about quantity than popularity (though that is quite high). But, in my experience, KBS has the longest lead times for sure.

 

I don't get concepts of lists. When do places even start lists? Can I ask to start a list for 2020? I know KBS will be released then.

 

I have generally been impressed with the releases at that store. I have only been to a few but the ones I have been to they didn't even give out tickets until an hour before the release. I got the tweet two hours before it was to go on sale they were out of tickets. I wasn't going to go down there but I was surprised to see that. At least they made people wait in the store after they got their ticket. The ones I have been to they said we could leave and come back. I usually just went to my car to do some work. Any idea how much KBS they got? I know last year most, if they got any, only got a case except Total Wine which got 2-3 cases. Just curious because I know that store got 30+ cases of BCBBW.

 

couldn't be assed to read your wall of text but

1) ticketed releases: yay, if it's not a big waste of time

2) if you got screwed out of some KBS, someone near you should hook you up. maybe someone on the trade forum can help. i'd offer, but i was only able to score 2 this year, and the other's already spoken for.

3) per (2), if you don't like how crazy releases are, spread the love and encourage others to do the same. there's enough great beer to go around.

 

I wouldn't mind them if it meant I could actually buy a 4-pk of whatever the release is for (it kind of blows my mind seeing people buy 4-pks of KBS, been 1 bottle/person at the places I go to for the last 3 years now, y'all are lucky). Probably not going to bother trying to get a single, since at least one store is already sold out of their small allocation anyway.

 

This is why lists make no sense. Does the list carry over to next year?

Ticketed events make little sense if they're going to do an advertised release (which just makes it more hectic for the store anyway), just give it first come first serve starting when you get it if you're just gonna sell it in that order anyway. Unless you like people crowding your store for no reason.

 

I have a feeling some places carry over, but maybe some/most don't.
Who wants to feel like "that person" who goes into their local place and ask to be on a list, when its like many months before a release. Why is this "list" not known.
Hell if I knew Joe Smo was on getting on the list, I would be too.
Thats why I don't get lists and when/why they start.
People in PA get a whole case because their "name is on the case".

Hell I even was first in line at a place receiving Bourbon County last year, some guy behind me got the only case of Coffee because he was on the "list for Coffee". What is that crap? I was even nice enough to tell the gentleman and his friends where he could find Backyard and others. I got a thanks but it seemed like a big middle finger to my face.

Guess I have some hate because I was unlucky, but it is what it is.. can't change things..
Just got to keep respect, and hope it comes in return

 

Had a similar thing happen to me today. Not with a ticketed release (which doesn't really seem to be the root of the problem here), but with store employee communication and a supposed list. I try to avoid dealing with lists because as others have said, when is it normal to get on the list? One month in advance? Two? Three? Seems like too far out would be a logistical mess for stores. Anyway, my experience today...

It's never consistent how these types of releases go--sometimes they are gone by 9am (the store in question opens at 7am) and other times the truck arrives a little before noon. They almost never have a list--at least not that I'm aware of, and I'm in this store probably once a week. Not being sure how this one would go, I stopped by on my way to work just to check. Truck hadn't arrived yet, so I said I'd probably be back around lunchtime-ish.

Drop in around 12:30 and as luck would have it, the truck carrying the liquid treasure was just unloading. The timing was so perfect that I actually held the door open for the delivery dude as he wheeled in a dolly with some stuff, including a single case marked "Founders". I can't really believe the good fortune, and apparently with reason. It's not busy or anything, so I take my time and browse the store for something else while the delivery guy and clerk make their transaction. Walk back up to the counter with a bottle of something else (I think it's important to buy more than just the highly sought beers because that's where stores make their bread and butter) and ask if I can also get a bottle of KBS, only to have the clerk tell me they are all spoken for... No one has checked out or even come in during the 5 mins I'm in the store, so for whom are they allotted? Why didn't the same clerk who told me they were spoken for mention that there was a list for KBS when I'd asked about it earlier that morning? Heck, since when do they do lists? Like I said, I'm not some truck chaser--I'm in here at least once a week. I'm sure they have more regular customers than me, but I would consider myself a regular. It just left a bad taste in my mouth all around.

All that being said, a couple things:

1) I was lucky enough to stop in another store I frequent closer to my house (store mentioned above is my "work" store) after work and they randomly have some left, much to my pleasure and surprise. So I didn't strike out. In fact, I had a friend who did miss out, so he got one of my bottles. Beer karma (not the BA variety) is real, you guys.

2) Even if I had struck out, life goes on. There are many great beers in the proverbial sea and I'm not going to live or die based on getting/not getting one specific realease. Butting getting the impression you're being jerked around is a way worse feeling than missing out on a beer. It felt like they didn't tell me about the list the first time so that I'd come back and buy something, which is kinda shady, especially for someone who comes around frequently.

It's crazy how much things have changed in the last several years.

 

I just smile at all you "whale" seekers and ticketers. I've been drinking craft since the late 80's, before many of you posting here were born. I couldn't care less about trying to get my hands on the latest big thing, like you're talking about. The things you do to get these new releases are ridiculous. I've got a number of excellent beer bars in my area, and enjoy the rotating, interesting, quality beers available at any given time. Sometimes they'll have something really special on tap and they'll let me know in advance and I'll make sure to be there for some. That's the extent of it, though. I'm content with what's available on tap or in bottles. There's always plenty to enjoy.

You people have forgotten the pleasure of just enjoying good beer for it's own sake. Many of you never even knew it to begin with. Your entire craft beer experience has been whale seeking and ticketing.You've turned it into an obsession that seems normal to you and your crew. Believe me, it's not. I really feel sorry for you.

 

We all realize that we're talking about beer right? It's BEER! Take your wife to dinner, enjoy life, and worry about more important things. KBS is great, but don't schedule your life around it. Enjoy the amazing local beers that are offered in GA!

 

If the store really wouldn't let you leave once you got a ticket, this really seems no different than a line, and you would have been shut out either way. Actually, the ticket thing saved you the trouble of standing in line for 2 hours only to miss out anyway. If, on the other hand, you could grab a ticket and then go get a bite to eat or something, then yeah, it would have been nice to know that in advance.

 

I've skipped through many of these responses. Let me just say that from a marketing/retailing standpoint, if a retail outlet is going with the ticketed release process (an optimal solution I think), they had better have their "ducks in line". A clear, well-communicated procedure should be followed both with the customers and store staff. Otherwise, it's an exercise in poor PR and mass confusion. A well executed example of this process was the recent KBS release that Founders did in Grand Rapids. Founders chose to use an internet ticketing site which made the process fair and (if you clicked at the right time) easy. I visited Founders and picked up my two 4 packs in a matter of minutes. What a pleasure!