Next Firestone Walker Barrelworks Release

the problem with the two sessions is that it's murder for the workers there. Good simple solution would be to split that station up to two lines or something. I mean, they did what they could with having four people manning it. But that line for it was rather intimidating.

 

The line was intimidating, but moved very fast. I went through 6 or 7 times. When it was really long I'd hit up the rocket ship tap along the way. Didn't take more than 5 minutes to get through it at all. Just enough time to finish a pour and head back in line.

 

The line didn't move slowly, just got in the way wrapping from the tasting room into the barrel room.

I can dream, and in those dreams there are bottles of Rufus with Brett.

 

yeah, I think having the signature top billing at those stations may have just caused a bottle necking at the doors there and made it look worse than what the situation actually was. I know having to cut through that line to get to the DDBA 13/14 room was always a matter of feeling like I was annoying someone.

 

While not convincing me that an 8 hour day is murder, I actually think the problem is the limited space combined with the amount (150 compared to 300) of people. There was a confluence of two lines along with people standing around that made the one line seem long. Longest line for me was pickup line...waited 12 min or so. All and all not bad, but it as good as the Bretta Weisse release.

 

The last time it was only 100 people deep per session. i think there was enough space, though it did get a little crowded inside that second tap room near the bathroom and in the barrelworks where the lines took up the space.

 

I thought the single-session format worked reasonably well. When I first walked in, my reaction was "Oh, shit..." and I had flashbacks to the Rosé release... but it really wasn't bad. There were only one or two times when my glass ended up empty while I was standing in the long line... and honestly, when I've got a full glass for almost the entirety of a 3-hour event, a few minutes spent in quiet self-reflection along the way is probably a good thing

 

Nice there's a bright side to everything, lol.

 

This is the first Barrelworks event I've been too. Previously I either picked the beers up later in Paso or traded for KB/BW. So I can't say how well things have worked in the past, but overall I thought it was pretty efficient. The line to the tasting room looked much worse than it was. I think it was probably a small mistake to put 4 of the more desirable beers in the same spot though. At least one of them could have shifted to the DDBA room. The snacks were good, could have been a bit more substantial, but they probably want you to go to the restaurant for that. I'd guess that two sessions would have been better, but it wasn't a big deal for me. I'll make the 3.5 hour drive next time!

 

I think this is the perfect medium. There was way too many DBA types that most people weren't interested in. The most popular ones were all in the same place so if they just switched the locations around it would of been perfect. The first hour or so the line for the FV moved faster than I could drink my pour so I'd get something and get right back in line. The last hour the Agrestic 13/14 had NO line. It worked out great. I had 17 free pours and left with 18 bottles. Came back the next day and got to try all these treats.

 

Out of curiosity any Barrelworks bottles for sale? I was hoping to snag some lil-opal but there was none to be had on release day

 

I went in at opening the next day and they had about 2 cases of Bretta Weisse and a case of Lil Opal & a few cases of Agrestic 2014 bottles for sale. I bought 6 BW's & 6 LO's. I went back around closing and there were only 4 LO and no BW left.

 

What I would give for a Barrelworks membership/club.

 

After seeing Hangar 24 is doing one now I was just thinking this.

 

That's what triggered it for me too. As fun as the release parties are, Buellton is kinda in the middle no where for monthly or every other month release parties. Novelty hasn't worn off yet though.

 

Haha same here. Barrelworks + Sara + RB + Bruery + Alpine monthly Nelson allocation and I'm all set

 

I pray that Barrelworks would do a club/society!!!

 

I've heard it is in the works...more than a rumor too.

 

God I hope so. I actually don’t mind the drive at all from SD to Buellton, but I just can’t always guarantee I’ll be available those weekends.

 

Ive heard this as well