BA Mexican Cake Release

The staff will officially be trading brewery only bottles for whiskey this year.

It isn't dragging out on purpose. More like the brewery has a lot going on right now, and can't worry about silly things like releases and beer nerd backlash. Not a lot of space in there until the warehouse is completed.

 

Because sitting on a quick *$100k in product isn't a silly thing to do?
*Really rough guestimation. **I really don't care how/when they do this, I won't get any no matter what. Just interesting to see what they end up doing...plenty of successful releases happening by the month.

 

sigh, this fucking board.

 

How much do you think the brewery takes in each week? Also, $100k in product, which is sitting safely in storage, is nothing compared to a $3million warehouse expansion project. It also means very little when compared to a $100k (maybe more) new canning line which is taking up most of the space usually used to do the BAMC release. Selling the BAMC now or in a month will not change the value of the product, so why worry about it? Filling orders and keeping the regular cash flow going is always more important than selling a limited brewery-only beer.

 

I was worried you might take my post a little too seriously.

But are you really arguing that because 100k isn't the largest asset that it isn't worth the owners time in thinking about hwo exactly he wants to quickly turn all that product into cash? Again, I really don't care when or how they do it, if at all.

The $3 million expansion project sure sounds like a great reason to monetize this product to me, but hey, I really don't care - just find some of the reasoning given a little odd. Cheers!

 

It's probably worth asking yourself, how much of this info is actually coming from Westbrook?

I could be wrong but I think this was the last official word from Westbrook...
http://www.postandcourier.com/artic...e-release-causes-stampede-in-craft-beer-world

 

It IS beginning to turn into a drama of reality tv proportions due to how the Westbrooks are handling it. They say one thing to a reporter, mention a silent release to someone (supposedly), onsite consumption to someone else (supposedly) and so on. I think it's on purpose to drive the hype. The MC hype, while only $100K, does help to drive ALL of their product sales. NE and West coast people don't need another IPA or much of whatever else comes out of WB (other the Gose...maybe) but the MC name has brought attention to all that they make. (I know NE and West coast people don't get distro but they do buy by the case load when on beer-cation and trade for it which in turn drives those within distro to see it as better than equal competing products, etc) If they truly wanted to keep the fuss to a minimum it would have already been decided/sold/etc. Last years release was a success. I've heard very little complaining. There was enough that a few people got second allocations....So do it like that again...or ticket the event...or release it silently...or keep it onsite...whatever. Make a decision, stop driving the drama.

 

What did they say to a reporter? The only article is in the P&C, and it says they favor quiet releases. The only people driving up hype are the ones asking about the release every day. We have already discussed why last year's style of release will not work this year. I wish it would, but anyone who has visited the brewery in the last month can tell you the situation there. Construction zones are not a good place to host hundreds of people. Everyone should just relax and let the brewery do what they need to do.

 

So it's not this weekend?

 

It's only beer. Good beer? sure. Hey but guess what there are a lot of beers out there. Good ones even. Great ones even! The only drama is driven by the fetishization of this shit by people who are susceptible to the hype that is being created by other's susceptibility to the hype. If you miss out on this one release, there will be others. This shit being made into some sort of actual crisis is laughable. But it makes for good entertainment I guess. If you miss out on the WHALZ your drinking buddies will still drink with you, your mom will still love you and I'll even wager you'll still drink some kick ass beers. But any kind of crisis this most certainly is not. The fact Westbrook likely recognizes this whole nonsense is even better.

 

Interesting how the majority of complaining about this non-release of a beer is coming from outside of the state where the brewery who makes it is located.

 

Cause they'd like a heads up - an actual date and some ground rules - to help them decide if they want to make a long drive in for the beer.

 

I was there a few weeks ago. Yes, the construction is apparent but it doesn't appear to occupy the space that was used last year. Wasn't most of that last year just wooded area that wasn't even being used? Wouldn't, at most, the tent line would have to be slightly rerouted? And at that point wristbands would have already been passed out and you probably wouldn't have people just hanging around for nothing. After the bottles were distro'd 75% of everyone was gone. I was one of a few that stayed. The tent adjacent to the building for drinking was pretty empty. Alternatively, I would think there was a tap house or two in Mt. Pleasant that would gladly take the responsibility and free publicity of hosting any even WB would throw. There food sales alone would probably compensate them, especially for that time of day. Maybe not. GL either way!

 

ISO: BAMC Floor Cuvee

 

There's also very little parking due to all the equipment. A couple of weeks ago the tasting room was about half-full and parking was already spilling out on the main road.

Yeah, I'm sure Westbrook is really itching to lose 30% on the beer by having to put it through the distribution channel...

 

The way things seem to be heading, I think a ticketed release party would make the most sense

 

Send it to distribution in SC. Everyone wins, including the shops that support them. No more taking up space. No more complaining. Everyone gets a chance from their local bottle shop. Win win, no?

 

You're right and I think it gets back to what my friend @DeadWalkerAir alluded to: I'd bet most of the angst seen here, especially from out-of-towners, isn't simply from ordinary folks who wanna lock down travel plans.

You know that part of the Viagra commercial where they talk about calling a doctor if you have an erection lasting four hours or more? The competitive-trading set has its annual BAMC chubby and they wanna know that they will, in fact, be able to get a nut for all the "pre" trades they have set up.

 

There's some truth to that. There's also a lot of folks who - if the had good solid information to go on - would still have to play the let's-see-if-I-can-make-this-happen game. I'm one of those guys - three hours out. With information I can plan. Without it - I find something else to do.

 

What he said. ^^^
50% of the parking is now gone. Also, there are construction vehicles in and out all day.