2016 New Glarus releases

Not worth it for $20. No way.

 

By general availability I meant do they usually have it or is it only out every once in a while?

 

I agree, I also liked it the most. I was going to head there Friday to grab some but not at $20/per.

 

We are a month away now from the first R&D release...no insider info or anything from recent Hard Hat Tours?

 

They wouldn't divulge the first one on the Hard Hat Tour I recently went on. Only that one of the three would be Vintage 2015, following up on Vintage 2014 from last year. Sounded like they'll do a Vintage every year moving forward unless plans change.

 

It's already not as good as last years

 

I am happy to hear this. I am hoping they are perfecting the process on this one so they can make it a Thumbprint or something. Vintage 2014 was very good; I had a trip to Belgium last year and while Cantillon and 3F Gueuzes were maybe a little better, I thought NG held its own against them

 

I don't think we'll ever see Vintage as a Thumbprint release. More likely, it will be annual R&D release and will continually be blended with the previous batches, as time goes on.

 

I'll enter my guesses...
Sour blonde with cider
Sour blonde with riesling grapes
Vintage 2015 Gueuze style

 

Just curious, why do you think this? Cost or space constraints? Lack of demand for the style? Too much effort required?

 

I think demand for it as a thumbprint would be incredibly high. Space and time would definitely be an issue too. The numbers on these R&D beers are relatively small vs. how much beer they crank out for a thumbprint release. I feel like it is going to be an New Glarus Brewery only type of thing. Different blends of variuos vintages of the base beer, year after year. Kind of an ongoing project for the brewery. I would love it if they released it statewide but I just don't see it happening.

 

Went on the Hard Hat tour on Friday, and thoroughly enjoyed it! Info that may or may not have been mentioned here yet (I looked back a few pages and didn't see anything, but I also couldn't find the R&D thread... has it been deleted?)
Next Thumbprint: Smoked Porter. They were brewing a batch on Friday, no word on release timing.
R&D: Sour Blonde was occupying a majority of the barrels in the cave. They said it has only been in the barrels for 2 months, and wouldn't be ready to even taste for another month. Also saw barrels labeled Enigma 2014
Canning line: Got to see it! They had a project team on the line doing checks of each section of the line. Our guide said that they are taking their time to make sure everything goes smoothly, so no rush on getting cans to the market.

But the best part of the day was walking into the tasting room to see Wild Bitter sitting on the table! They had such a solid line up of beers to taste. Zwickel, Dancing Man, Wild Bitter, Scream, Cran Bic, Coffee Stout, and Rasp. Tart. I made sure to get my fill of Wild Bitter (which was tasting great!). They did still have about 5 cases at the Depot for $20 per, but I passed. Did pick up a 4 pk of Zwickel though!

 

I'm guessing it's $20 per bottle? Or are they still in the 2 packs? I'm hoping it's the later but doesn't seem likely.

 

Several earlier posts indicated $20/bottle.

 

Yes

 

Thanks for the info gents. I really did enjoy this one but can't do $20. They must have a lot left with those limits.

 

I sure hope that $20 is the "cellared price" and not the new normal R&D price.

 

From their FB page regarding this years R&D releases.
"Each event will feature a different beer from the Wild Fruit Cave. There will be a limited number of bottles released each day and a two bottle per person limit. $10.00 a bottle includes tax and cash is appreciated, but not necessary. "
This info would be easier to find if my 2016 R&D thread hadn't gotten deleted. Grumble, grumble.

 

Interesting article about the Bubbler name in the Isthmus today: http://isthmus.com/food-drink/beer/beers-called-bubbler/
Apparently Plymouth Brewing had a beer called Bubbler even before New Glarus and Next Door.

 

Well i sure didn't delete it, hell go ahead and start one so it is easier to find please...