Wolves & People

Well, I don't trade much (and when I do, it's generally for shelf beers, but that's a separate discussion), I'm not a Wale hunter, and I'm skeptical of "society's" in general. So yeah maybe, the first time we hear from these guys, they're telling us what games they played as kids, telling us how awesome the beers are gonna be bro, and and asking us for some money, sets my alarms a bit.

What if they had done a post here a few months ago, "introducing" themselves and their ideas, started a FB page to post pictures of the work in progress and to keep them in our minds, and and then came hat in hand to us? Would our reaction be different then? I'd suspect so.

The fact that I can walk to my local store and grab a bottle of Logsdons Seizoen Bretta any time I want, and that brewery didn't make a peep until they were making beer, at a great price is a tough bar to hurdle for a new brewery in this neck of the woods. Ever hear of Propolis Brewing? Neither did I until they were open, and they are making some of the most unique beers in the U.S. marketright now.

I do wish the Wolfpeople people good luck, I look forward to trying their brews if I get the chance. I still haven't had a DeGarde yet. That's OK, ya can't drink 'em all. If consumers want to prefund a business, good on 'em, I say. But, as @TheeWalrusHunter said back upthread, it seems like these guys are just ticking a list to be the next trendy brewery. Time, as always, will tell.

 

Isn't everyone?

 

No. Some are quietly starting up, making "regular" beers to get established, and then jumping on whichever "battleoftheIBUS-CDA-barrrelaging-buggedbeer-hoppylager" comes along next. And the next after that, while they keep making their core brews. Some breweries, like the one in this thread, are taking a different approach. Strokes for folks and all that.

 

Well I'd rather see this than yet another Oregon brewery pop up that's brewing yet another IPA, CDA, IRA (or other style they can put an I in front of as an excuse to hop the shit out of it), etc... I know of some that should go away as well. But like you said "Strokes for folks" goes for what consumers want as well.

 

I wasn't all that interested in any of this until all the gambling references came along. Man, I do love gambling. If this stays open through the weekend (where forecasts call for moderate-to-high levels of consumption), my money is on me forking out the loot.

 

Lol, I doubt it last through tomorrow night. I like what it takes to get you interested though.

 

I've been part of a bunch of societies and have had nothing but incredible experiences, so I'll keep doing these. I accept there's risk in it..that it's a gamble. But that's part of what I enjoy about it. Besides, the guy brewing the beer is a known quantity. This isn't his first rodeo. There's experience here. These aren't the new kids on the block.

You have to admit, if you're going to hold new breweries to standard set by Logsdon, you're going to find yourself in this position with every incoming brewery on earth. I haven't heard of Propolis, but I'm betting had I heard about them prior to them making the unique beers you mention, I'd still have been intrigued, and regardless of my thoughts or approach to the newcomers, they'd have arrived at the same point they have today, one way or another.

I actually have a gentleman in Oregon whose been kind enough to introduce me to any number of Oregon breweries from De Garde and Ale Apothecary to Block 15, Upright, Logsdon, The Commons and others. The fact is...the first time I have a bad overall experience with an Oregon brewery...it'll be my first other than Rogue. Whether or not they become the next trendy brewery or not will depend entirely on the quality of their product. No manner of marketing or catch kickstarters will change that. If the program falls flat on its face, it won't be the first losing bet I've made by any stretch of the imagination. But if they end up making good stuff, it'll be nice to have an avenue with which to acquire their stuff going forward without any fuss.


EDIT: And it seems like a lot of people are put off by their approach but...they're trying to raise funds here. They're trying to sell an image. It's all there is when the product is yet to come to fruition. They're talking the talk...we'll see if they walk the walk.

 

Right. The rub comes with the fact that I am a substance guy, 100%. If I like a brewery's style, after I like the beer, that's a nice little bonus. Even the most beautiful house has to be built on a solid foundation.

When they get open, if the beers are good, no one will care about the cheesy approach they took to get open. If they miss...

 

Indeed. If anything, they're simply setting the expectations high on themselves. And as with all the breweries around them, the bar's already set high. So I don't suppose the approach they're taking changes anything regarding the fact that stiff regional competition exists, and they're going to have cut the mustard if they want to carve out their own place in the existing landscape.

 

Welcome to PNW passive/aggression.

Then you'll do just fine, just give us a sec to get used to someone from PA participating in the NW forums. We're pretty used to it being just us (if I can have the audacity to speak for everyone here).

 

It's time that Washington got a farmhouse brewery.

 

http://www.acadianorganics.com/

 

I guess it's a start.

 

They don't fit into the image we automatically think of when we hear "farmhouse brewery", but Propolis might qualify: http://www.propolisbrewing.com/ale.html

 

Propolis could qualify as one of the most ignored breweries on the west coast. They produce good and interesting brews. And yet no one has even heard of them.

 

Yeah, they need to find an old barn for their expanded brewery.

 

What Propolis beers are 'must trys'? I have a tough time with them since their labeling is non-descript, they are never on tap, and the reviews are rather meh (which I assume is non-'farmhouse' enthusiasts reviewing their stuff). It is nice to see them at the Ballard farmers market with their entire collection right next to the cider and juice folks.

 

Acadian is a great spot. Not sure what happened with their county or city fight, so not sure if their tasting room is still open, but beautiful place and nice beers.

 

I've only had the Erthe, as full pours, and just tastes of a couple others. I would check their site for how they describe the beers.

 

*****.