Bruery 2016 RS/HS Allocations

TODAY is the last day to purchase August allocations!

 

Nah, have to keep the days of the week theme. But, the name also meets the mandatory pun requirement for a Bruery beer!

 

Lazy Sunday: Red Vine & Mr Pibb infusion.

 

A friend texted me that he found Poterie at Costco for $12.97 in the bay area (Livermore?) this morning. As a joint hoarder member, I'm disappointed. I joined the hoarders to receive a discount on Bruery offerings. Instead I find myself paying $10 more (bought three bottles I believe) for the same beer now that the public can purchase.

Any explanation for this and is the Bruery willing to credit society members the difference for having a retailer undercut due paying members @BruerJoel? Thanks.

 

This is akin to buying something & then wanting to return it because it's half off, only to buy it again the minute you return it.

 

Wish it was that simple and you'd put a little more thought into what paying members are experiencing. Only difference is that I paid $250 down (we paid $750 between three of us) to ensure that we would receive the lowest price and selections not available to the public.

I like the Bruery beers, but am disappointed that they made us a special offer only to turn around and undercut (not judging their intention could be a distributor thing) those of us who have invested in their company. We love Bruery beer enough to be loyal members, but we'd appreciate it if they'd address our concern.

 

Totally agree!

 

Seriously, it's not The Bruery's fault because someone is selling it below the price point they set.

I don't know the laws, but that seems odd that a retailer is selling so far below the brewery set prices.

 

Best to consider Costco pricing as the equivalent of a sale or clearance (which it would be silly to ask Bruery to match) and keep it moving.

 

Loss leader anyone? Special deal between distributor & Costco?

 

Costco pricing should never be considered in any discussion like this, for beer or another product. They're able to order in large quantities, which creates a discount at purchase and an ability to sell anything at a lower margin. Add in the membership fees Costco also collects, and yeah, of course they're selling that beer (or again, anything) at a lower rate.

As others have said, it's one thing if the Bruery starts selling the beers for a lower price to the public. It's another if a large retailer (especially Costco) does. Some society beers are exclusive and not for public sale. Others are clearly outlined as public. The membership agreement doesn't guarantee every beer is society-exclusive, just certain ones. It also doesn't guarantee the lowest available price -- just a standing discount to members when buying through the Bruery's store.

 

When a Costco price ends in 7 it is a marked down closeout price for an item. One time I picked up a bunch of Pizza Port Santa's Little Helper (Imperial Stout in 22 oz. bottles) for $1.97 each. I doubt The Bruery has any control if an individual Costco location chooses to sell a particular item at a loss to sell through their remaining inventory. I would look at it on the bright side and pick up a few extra bottles at a great price!

 

Any Hoarders at the Terreux patio? I'mean a RS member here looking for a BT Reserve glass! Cheers!

 

I appreciate your feedback Andy. It goes a bit deeper than that. Bruery produces more beer thinking demand is high enough to generate justified production. Their distributor back peddles when demand isn't met and contracts to unload stock on Costco.

The distributor HAS EVERY RIGHT to negotiate a contract to control selling costs, including taking back product that sits on the shelves. If retailer doesn't agree, walk away. Find another retailer who will.

I can empathize with the Bruery on a whoops moment. They thought they'd get demand and didn't, it happens. Creating a demand, price point, and profit margins is no joke, it's hard. Now they have a couple of disappointed members because of this situation and we're asking that they prevent this from occurring again and are inquiring about a credit.

 

I'd buy so many of them for 12.97....


.....and by so many I mean like 3...

 

Do you have any proof of that? Or are you just assuming it because you're pissed off and want someone to blame?

I'd be willing to bet a lot of money that Costco did not buy a ton of 'unloaded' product on the cheap, nor did they set that price so cheap to blow out the beer. What likely is the case, as it usually is with anything like this, is distro sold it at regular price and someone at Costco misread, mistyped, or just flat out was an idiot and marked it too low. I highly doubt the Bruery allowed beer to be basically dumped, and they certainly aren't responsible for a retailer's screw up on pricing. I understand you being upset about it, but until word is clear, demanding a credit on something that a retailer mismarked is ridiculous.

At $12.97, if following the typical markup from brewery to distro to retailer, the beer would have to cost less than $3 a bottle. I highly doubt Poterie is that dirt cheap to produce.

 

Related to @RDMII's reseponse, yeah, perhaps the better first step would be to see if other Costcos have it priced similarly as well. If they don't, it's a one-off issue at that single location. Certainly not worth a refund or credit or any kind if that's the case.

 

The regular Costco price is 21.99. Like someone else mentioned if the price ends in .97 it means it's on clearance.

 

I found BA Monsters Park for much cheaper at a bottle shop than the league was getting it for. Basic supply and demand.

 

Anniversary beers aren't member exclusive