Highland Park Brewery thread

Swanfungus is right, too many breweries doing releases too many ways. Should probably pass some legislation regulating this at the state level.

 

When I used the word entitled earlier I didn't mean to direct it at you, sorry if it came across that way. I think in general people get possessive and like to claim ownership over the things they like, so when it's opened up to too many new people it doesn't feel like its their THING anymore. You know? That then leads to the whole, "I'm a local I want my bottles when and how I want them, and I don't want to have to compete for them!" mentality. Again, I'm not saying that's your mentality. You'll see it in pretty much every release thread on this site.

Also, point of reference: I don't know anyone on this forum, either. Stick around though, we're usually pretty amiable.

 

That woodshop beer was Bomb.COM

 

Fortunately, we still live in a country where, as long as it's legal, a business can sell product to whomever they wish. That's their prerogative to establish whatever sales strategy they'd like to pursue. I can't imagine having any qualms at all over HPB wanting to sell their beer to whoever is able to log on and purchase at the beginning of sales.

Proxies weren't even an issue with the last release that was a couple thousand bottles and lasted a little while. Drop the bottle counts to a sub-1000 number because that's all barrel production yielded and now everybody has a problem? You all have an equal shot with online sales much moreso than having to clear your schedule for an in-person sale; just be happy.

Somewhere like Beachwood sells Tovarish the day after Christmas in person only and not online and I'm out of town? Not outraged, just bummed and oh well maybe next time. I always like to remind myself that it's just beer. There's always a good one readily available to drink nearby.

 

I still have one left in my fridge! I'm thinking I'll bring it to FWIBF.

 

Can one of you explain the whole Woodshop thing!? It all seemed so secretive and vague when people were posting about it -- like some Eyes Wide Shut level shit -- I gave up even trying to attend. All the post-party write-ups sounded awesome, though.

 

This was my first year going, even had the newbie rank on my nametag to prove it, hehehe. Basically here in SD we took over a bar downtown and just bottle shared, had blind tastings, and Chris brought about 12+ kegs. I'm not sure of the actual intent aside from getting ppl together and drinking beer and enjoying ourselves while we do it.

Aside from that yeah, no idea but the generosity of others was outstanding, especially when ppl walk around offering you cali brandy huna, various cycle stouts, i offered up Velvet, someone had the full batch1 collection of barrelworks, etc... just good times sharing.

 

As someone who's not interested in trading anymore, I really appreciate it when local breweries make it easy for me to get their product. I simply don't have the time, money, or desire to trade or chase beers. Proxies-allowed on 3 digit bottle count releases come in conflict with that. I've already accepted I won't be drinking the latest hyped out-of-state beer at the moment so It's lame when I can't get local product due to out-of-state competition. I've also accepted that you pro-proxy people have no interest in what folks like me feel.

 

Beer is love. That is all. I'm bummed I can't participate in this party but I hate to see all y'all infighting like this. Let's not forget our shared passion and love for tasty beverages. We are all one big (yet, really quite small) community.

Beer is also local and I get that too. I will look forward to participating where I can and will enjoy what's local to me when I can't.

Peace and love.

 

ISO : Grilled Cheese Sandwich To Go

 

As it relates specifically to HPB, there was a low qty Woodshop beer for the LA event this year, and bottles also made it to beer friendos... srs mf'n sh*t... mf'n Cedar wood shavings and 'nilla for realsies

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29180/191737/

 

Was at HPB today, Bob opened a Lazier Susan. You guys are gonna enjoy it. I thought Lazy susan was a bit too tart and sour for me with too much frenzied acidity, while it was good i couldn't handle drinking much of it. The 4-5 months in oak really helped it. The fruit is rounder, the base beer itself is more developed with a greater weight on the palate. There is way more fruit put into the beer but it's balanced well, it's not huge fruit in your face. Everything is really well integrated. I'd like to give it some time in the bottle to expand a little more on the palate but the oak age had helped it tremendously.

GET YOUR F5 FINGERS ON.

 

It sucks that there is an assumption that people are only buying these beers to trade them. I like to think that's not the case but what do I know? I can only speak for myself. I'm pro-proxy but I certainly have interest in the feelings of others, yours and drink1121's included. I don't *think* anything I've said in this thread came across as uncaring or dismissive of your point of view, as that certainly wasn't the intent.

I stand by my statement that the key issue seems to be an ever-changing system of release methods that consumers either can't rely on or keep up with. There's obvious uncertainty among breweries in regards to "what's the best way to get this beer to the people who want to drink it." That's why one release is in person and one is online, one allows proxies and one doesn't. I get it. It's impossible to expect one method when it never seems to be the same twice in a row with one brewery, or from one brewery to the next. Maybe that's why we're seeing more clubs (the League, RS/HS, Ambassadors of Sour just to name a few of the bigger ones in CA), and maybe that's the solution, but...shit...even within clubs there's dissent and anger and confusion and frustration.

There's no right answer, obviously. HPB is trying to figure out how to get their beer into the hands of the people who want it, and whatever method they choose is good enough for me.

 

Let's all shut up about this release until 12:01pm tomorrow. Me included. Starting now.....

 

I see both sides of both sides. The reality is, that everyone here has an equal opportunity to snag a bottle or two from this release. Sometimes you score, sometimes you get blanked...that is the nature of EVERYTHING.

 

The only way not to piss everyone off on limited releases is make so much everyone can get it. Then they don't get mad, they just declare it a shelf turd, say the old batches were better, and move on to bitching about the newest flavor of the month limited beer.

HPBs beer release system is as close to perfect as any brewery has gotten. The fact that we're getting so many bottles out of such a tiny brewery is a godsend.

 

It will be gone by that time.

 

I will probably never be a Friend because there are too many fine-ass breweries in SoCal and too little paycheck in Vanlingleland.

 

I'm of the opinion that proxies only make sense when you can't sell out the local market. Proxies not only make it more difficult for the locals to buy, they also allow people to double/triple dip on allocations.

That said, I haven't had a problem buying HPB releases in the past and they have always allowed proxies so I'm not concerned.

 

Guys, guys guuuuys... Can't we all... just get along?


I for one am done hyping up Lazier Susan. The real jam is hyping the shit out of HELP YOURSELF.

Cause damn, that shit is tasting de-licous.

Start lining up your mid-west shelf turd thank you boxes for that one. Lazier Susan should be in your rear view mirror.