What Breweries Give The Best Beer Release Experiences

The 4 Elf party by Dark Horse. The all night bottle share the night before is an event all to itself. And at least for the past two years, anyone standing in line walks away with two cases of BBPT5 if they want it along with some other event only bottles. But the 4 Elf party is the main event. It is only $5 to get in or free if you dress as your version of an elf. Dark Horse has bands playing throughout the day and night. They are also serving food all day and night long, most of it exotic. Finally, beer tickets are 5 for $21 and the beers are very generous pours of all their beers, including BBPT5 and many other specialty beers. I'm ready for 2016 4 Elf right now.

 

I used to think that Hardywood ran great releases. They generally laid the smackdown on line cutters and used a numbered ticket system for really low bottle count releases. The last two releases though, were very inefficient and lets not forget the bottle count fiasco with Kentucky Christmas Morning. Other than that the releases have been fun.

I'm also going to throw in a shout to all the west coast breweries that do their releases on BPT. The bottles are all sold on BPT so the release party has nothing to do with a line, you just go enjoy the food, drinks and pick up your bottles at your leisure. I really enjoyed Council's anniversary party because of this.

 

Gonna be a homer here and give a shout out to Creature Comforts. They sell their tickets online using Xorbia and if you're able to get one the event is awesome. It's usually a small affair so no waiting in long lines for special pours. They also usually have some kind of appetizers and a live band playing. At the end of the event you grab your allotted bottles and go. Always a great experience IMO.

 

I don't attend bottle releases at breweries. Perhaps when the kids are older, but sometimes just trying to hit the bottle shops when goodness lands there isn't always in the cards. I have a nice diverse supply so no complaints!

 

With their expanded capacity and new tasting room -- HF releases have become an enjoyable experience....

 

New Glarus. The staff and Debra Cary (CEO) and Dan Cary (brewmaster) socialize with people in line and are so respectful. World Class brewery.

 

I do not go to releases or tap rooms but i enjoy when Sixpoint has new releases because i know i can expect quality and i like when Dogfish Head beers just show up at the store i go to without me knowing they were being brewed like Black and Blue, Bitches Brew, Chateau Jiahu and Kvasir all hit my store by suprise.

 

I have always enjoyed the Bissell Releases (I think Allagash does the same) but they provide you with local coffee (Coffee by Design) and Home made Potato Donuts (Holy Donut)

 

I've complimented Carton a lot recently for recognizing the demand for their beers and matching it. Even for Regular and Irregular Coffee I was in and out in 5 minutes and ultimately got more beer this year. It has hung around for several weekends. You can get cans downstairs and stop upstairs for a taste in the tasting room. Really well done as of late @augiecarton

On the other hand, I could name a place on the other end of this spectrum but that's not for this thread...

 

The small, local breweries that aren't big enough for people to go insane over, where I can just show up any time that day, have a few pints, have a place to sit, and bring home a bottle or a growler. Any without lines and hype so big the beer can't live up to it.

 

This. And this is why I don't enjoy trading for or shipping out whales. It takes the joy out of the experience. I love going to a brewery release where everyone is excited about the beer, but it's not a bum's rush to get your bottles. And the beer is more than not as good as if not better than the crazy rare bottles that take my entire morning to get.

 

Founders - Buy a $5 ticket online. Drive to founders, park, pick up beer, drive home.

NO FUCKING WAITING IN LINE!

No worrying about getting shut out.

Freedom to enjoy beer on draft BEFORE or after you pick up your allotment.

The ticket cost goes to charity.

Special taps with every release.

 

Alesmith's releases are really fun. They always have some rare beers on tap, including the beer they're releasing, and decent food. It's more about the atmosphere though. I always know a good amount of people there and they also allow us to bring our own bottles for shares.