CO Barrel Aged Stouts

What a shitshow. Run out of stovepipes early and then sell crowlers at $30 which are 50% more per ounce. What are my chances of getting a refund today? I was 90% sure I saw them listed for $25 on Facebook last week.

Oh yeah, the beer was outstanding. I would be in favor of limits; maybe 12 cans at the most. This no-limits thing brings out the worst in some people. When the supply is this limited you can actually snatch up a large chunk of the available cans and then turn around and flip them...

 

Ha. My first Saturday off in months. You're lucky you get Sundays though cause I'm about to head in.



Seriously though, just set limits OB.

 

I like that they don't set limits. The people that really want it get it this way. Anyone who got shut out didn't want it bad enough to get up early and go wait in line like others did. Blame yourself not OB. I don't think any beer is worth waiting in line for but that is just one man's opinion.

 

I could agree with this argument if people were only buying for their own personal consumption, but obviously those who bought 7 cases or the guy who spent $3400 aren't buying for their own use. It's akin to scalpers buying up tickets to hard shows. These people are likely hoarding for trade bait, or who knows what else. I'll admit I didn't get there until 1, but I'm sure there were people who got there by noon only to be shut out due to the greed of a few.

 

I thought they both tasted great. The Java tasted like they may have added the cold press coffee in. Not sure if this is what they did, but that's what it tasted like.

If all you wanted was a beer, it got frustrating. I literally stood at the bar for more than 30 minutes waiting to order. At one point all 4 servers were dedicated to just crowler fills of the Java once the cans ran out. The whole bar was a server wasteland. One guy kept trying to get people at the bar but seemed to only rotate through the same 3 spots and never made it down to the rest of the bar. 2 of the women were strictly serving the lines that sprung up without announcement at the opposite corners. It seemed like they got first dibs on the servers before anyone else.

After doing several of these events one would figure that they'd have it worked out by now. We stopped going to DBC for this reason (at first, now there's several reasons why we don't go) and we even avoid big Avery events because we've had ill luck with their organization.

As far as limits go, there really isn't any way to make everyone happy. While I do think that allowing 7 cases is a bit much, there's something to be said for first come, first served. Personally, in order to be friendly to the customer base as a whole, a limit probably would be a good idea and that limit should be based on what's available vs projected interest. But that's just my opinion based on the mess I saw on Sat.

 

What is the limit set for personal consumption then? Some folks are more thirsty than others. Some people have more friends and trading partners than others. Who decides that limit? One man's plenty is another man's not worth even going for. OB is in the business of selling beer, they did a good job of that yesterday. Did any of you show your disapproval by not buying anything yesterday when you found out there weren't limits and they sold out of the Java? Yea, I didn't think so.

 

Yes. I canceled plans to go up once I heard they were out. I think a case or so would be fair for personal consumption for a limited release (it is LIMITED, after all). Respectfully, if you're in favor of no limits, and that early dedication should be the measure of reward, then you're also say truck chasing is the way to go, and bottle shops should just put all special releases out on the shelves with no limit.

I appreciate limits. I'm a father and a husband who places family above being in a line for hours. Doesn't mean I like good beer less, though. Just means I try and go to releases once the kiddos are down. 'Cause I know how a lot of people feel about toddlers at a brewery and I'm trying to be considerate to other BAs.

All that said, I don't see OB changing anything, as--at the end of the day (or 30 mins in)--they sell out of beer, which equals $$$. And honestly it doesn't really bother me. Seeing as I was hoping to only score two stovepipes, what's two less beers? Cheers!

 

Seems like that makes one of you. I couldn't disagree more. Not setting a limit gives the impression that there's plenty enough to last through the day, let alone the first hour of the day. Yeah, I'm a little bitter that I didn't get any java... I made the mistake of assuming that getting there an hour after they opened for a no limit release would be just fine. Had they set any sort of limit, chances are I would've gotten there early to wait in line.

I turned around in Westminster from Denver at 12:30 when I heard they were out of java cans, so... To imply that they're only in the business of selling beer seems shortsighted... if they piss off enough of their customers by continuing to run crummy releases (define that how you want, you can even start with last year's BATF release issues), and then telling them to chill when they have valid complaints, selling that beer might be a little harder in the future. On the other hand, you have places like Odd 13 who actually listen to customers who are unsatisfied, own up when they make mistakes, and try to make things better in the future.

 

Having waited in line last year for it, the line was a bit ridiculous. Didn't have any pre-filled and the door busters were walking out with several cases.

I think it should be unlimited, but a limit per transaction. Then you can go back to the end of the line to wait for more.

 

I could get behind that. At least it gives people a better chance...

 

They arent getting 7 cases for themselves. They told the OB employees they were buying beer for "15 other people".

Also selling Java 90 minutes early was misleading to those who were planning on the listed start time.

I will say it was good of OB to give $5 refunds to those who felt decieved by the price increase. I am curious if $30 is indeed the new price moving forward?

 

It is for the Java crowlers, at least as of last night. They were saying "The crowlers are $30, just want to make sure you know that..." as people ordered when I went back. And the manager had told me the price of crowlers had increased before this release (I thought they were still $25 each the last time I got any Fidy crowlers...) and the social media person had failed to use that $30 price online for this release.

 

Java Fidy isn't that great anyway. Regular BA Ten Fidy is much better.

This is my observation from the Fidy release in August when they did crowlers only.

 

The Java Fidy this year was much better than what I tasted last year. Different process and different results. YMMV. I tasted both on Saturday.

 

After waiting in line for his 7 cases, how long will he spend in line at the post office? What a loser.

signed,
Guy who would trade beer if it wasn't such an f'n hassle.

 

After advertising for this release for a while on social media, hyping it up, and seeing how many cans people buy when they say "no limit" (saw a guy grab 15+ crowlers last time), and also having only a limited amount available of the Java... What were they thinking?

Are they trying to piss people off?

 

A case is 12 for larger beers. They would have been just fine serving a case per person. Most people had 3 cases with them. I completely disagree that they couldn't have a 12 per person limit. They had thousands of cans all over the place. Don't appreciate the anger you're directing towards me for buying 12 cans of beer. Completely misplaced and "juvenile".

EDIT: ah and I went with my girlfriend, so it was 6 to each of us.

 

I don't have any money, but I would "splurge" and buy 3-4 cans. Last year I bought 6 (the limit, I believe) and it was plenty. 12 would have been nice, but not necessary.

 

What else have people tried? Stoked to give Nicolette another whirl. @rscot231 any deets on this gal?

 

Likewise. As much as I want BCBS like the next guy/gal, I'm gonna opt for a less hectic (hopefully!) Friday, support an amazing local brewery, and chill at Odd13. And I'm totally stoked for it!