Four Firkins

Blue Moon definitely with a slice of orange, on tap, no bottle.

 

Now this in my opinion is quite different from an established business expanding. You guys would be looking to fill a need that is lacking in your community. Your biggest issues might be getting distribution of the beers you nerds will want to drink and having a large enough consumer base to keep afloat.

My buddies and I have kicked around the idea of starting something like Firkins in St. Cloud, but I just don't have the faith that our population can support it.

 

I don't see the point in donating $$ to a successful business when there are endless numbers of charities that legitimately need donations... My 2 cents.

 

It's not a donation.

 

I do not think that word means what you think it means.

 

Perhaps they could split their company into two entities, and one could be a 401c3 organization responsible for providing beer education to the public, while the other could remain a for-profit entity that sells beer?

Surely, no one would have any concerns with an approach like this, and even the most stalwart opponents would line up for the opportunity to donate their money.

Sadly, this transparent restructuring would actually be even less egregious than the way some 401c3 entities actually operate today...

 

One bottle of Corona and a Bud Lite Straw-ber-ita, please.

 

I had a similar conversation with a friend yesterday. Do you think the distribution to St Cloud differs that much from MSP, or that the demand isn't there? I'm wondering if such a store might do incredibly well. Old Capital Tavern seems to be doing ok in a pretty remote location (relatively speaking). I consider it a very comparable market. (BTW: I LOOOVE O.C.T.)

Edit: I have also wondered why there is NO marketing from the stores in StC. You basically have to hear "through the grapevine" when things show up here. Luckily, I have some friends at local stores who help me out, but when I mention things like twitter and FB to announce releases (like FF and BM do), I get blank stares. I don't get it.

 

There's going out for a beer and then there's buying beer for off-site consumption. When all the beers cost the same for a pour people will try more things. When you walk into a shop and see a $20 4 pack most people who aren't beer geeks will be immediately turned off from buying a product at that price point. I haven't been to Cashwise lately but I'll bet that BLAKKR is going to stick around at its price point. I've received multiple texts from people asking how the beer was. I said it was great, none of them bought it, they were turned off at the price.

I rarely shop at Westside any more, they keep anything that is limited or highly desirable in back, I've got a bit of a report with some of the guys there, but what a hassle just put the shit on the shelf and sell it. I don't know what the deal is but its turned me off to them.

We could have the market, I think its a pretty big risk. The Wine Shop looks great and they have pretty cool staff, but they still sling all the swill that probably keeps them in business. As far at distro, its getting better but we still don't get a lot of great Wisconsin beer, imported sours, we don't even get much Founder's as far as fresh regular line up stuff. Deschutes special releases always seems to get lost in transit somewhere. I could go on. Its a strange market up here, but it is most definitely improving.

 

I hear Niche market a lot in this thread...

One store is typically what you need for a Niche market - as stated before this is evidenced by not having their own capital to expand....

 

I'd take Apollo and Andy's over the stores in the cities any day (I grew up in Rochester). You guys have better access to limited releases, basically the same selection of every day beers we do here, and you're getting TG soon!

 

I agree on the limited releases, but there is a ton we can't get. Indeed, Steel Toe, Oskar Blues, Stone, Clown Shoes to name a few

 

Good point. I may have overstated the benefits a bit, but I'd rather have easy access to Toppling Goliath than any of those.

 

The grass is always greener...

 

More pandering on fb today showing pictures of their employees and how they have to hire more and pay them.

How do all these under businesses do it? There has to be a secret recipe.

 

Isn't that like asking how Costco pays more than Wal-Mart?

Yes, other businesses can treat their employees differently, but Four Firkins has made their choices in regards to employees, and would like to stick with those choices.

I would ask why you're following them on FB, when obviously your no longer "liking" them.

 

If care about why he likes them on FB. Why do you care that he likes them on FB? I mean come on. Who cares.

 

Exactly! Why follow a company on FB you don't actually like!

 

I have to admit that I find this campaign annoying and a bit disingenuous. That said, they are 1 1/2 miles from where I live, and I will go on occasion for tastings. When I go to a tasting, I usually buy something unless the product is terrible. Beyond that, I will likely reduce the amount of revenue I spend there.

 

Am I seeing things or did they raise the amount of people who could by the $1000 "limited beer" from 10 to 20? If so and they do sell all of them (not likely), good luck EVER getting a limited beer there. There are only 2 or 3 limited ones that people fall over anyway.