2016 Horizon Society

So it will only be 1 DB Resolute for Horizon members then?

 

Correct

 

That's a bummer. While I'm ok with receiving just 1 variant set since we can get likely just 1 more with a little work and showing up early enough to snag a wristband it would have been nice to get more than just 1 bottle of DB. I sort of agree with some of the comments that at least a few of these HS exclusive beers should truly be exclusive for us. Really the only exclusivity is being able to grab bottles since every "exclusive" (and included) beer this year has/will hit taps at the brewery for anyone to taste. Kind of takes the luster away a little from being a member. Those living somewhat close enough can take a trip when it's on take and get their $5-$7 pour when available.

 

That doesn't bother me at all, they said we have exclusive bottles of it, which we do. If they didn't have enough for additional bottles and kegged some for others to try I think that's awesome. Everyone who was promised a bottle gets a bottle, I don't care what they do with the rest of it. To me the more that get to try it the better, beer is about sharing not getting bent out of shape about hoarding it all.

 

I was hoping for a second bottle b/c I would like to try it and then gift one.......now I only hope that it will be on tap Saturday so I can try it.

What was the $5 charge for again that we had the option to purchase a few months ago? For some reason the BCB site isn't coming up on my computer.

 

I agree I would of loved a second bottle, if I get to try it on tap then I wont feel bad getting rid of my bottle. But either way I have a bottle and I am happy, and other get to try it that don't have bottles.

As far as the 5$ charge it is- To allow people the opportunity to ensure they have bottles of Resolute available when they get here we’ll be selling a ticket in advance for $5 that will guarantee you an allocation of Resolute (Resolute only, not variants). Tickets will be available starting 8/1/16 and will end 8/31/16 or when gone. – Tickets are sold out but that doesn’t mean you can’t come or won’t get bottles! There are still bottles available for sale the day of and there is no cost to attend. Cheers

 

I get what you are saying but being a Horizon Society exclusive beer means it should solely go to members. If there weren't members wanting it then I understand releasing a beer to the public but the demand is probably higher for it than nearly every other beer they've released to the society in the past 2 years. After getting 4 bottles of Apple Brandy Resolute and the option to buy even more I had assumed I would at least get a couple bottles of Double Barrel this year. The DB and other variant set are literally what sold me on joining up again for this year. Had I known I would only get a single bottle and that they would keg the rest to be released at the brewery I would have passed on signing up without a second thought. I get that they don't have enough beer to offer a second bottle to everybody but it wouldn't be that difficult to setup a lottery for everybody interested. Say they have 25 extra bottles, well a random drawing of 25 people would at least reward some of the members and provide a fair outcome. I wanted to be talked into signing up again next year, it would have taken so little but everything going on especially with this particular release has all but convinced me not to. I would love to get my hands on Steadfast, Van/Coc Resolute along with another variant set but not if it means a single bottle of the beers I want most being the first two.

 

So question for you 2016 members....

Was it worth it? I was a year one member and I could not stand anything that we got besides resolute. I thought it was a giant waste of money. The "sours" we got were horrid. Had to drain pour all of them. So I wasted the membership for a shirt, teku and 2 resolute.

I'm interested if they fixed there beers and if it's worth possibly rejoining. I'll give them the fact that it was all new and all that.

What did you think of the beers? Worth it?

Thanks for the help!

 

The only 2016 beer I've drank so far has been bourbon mint great debate, and I thought it was pretty good, but overall I don't think it was worth it. Bros just aren't brewing anything that's really exciting or interesting to me, and there have been some quality control issues as well. The "perks" are useless if you live out of town, and the merch is a waste of money. I'm really disappointed that DB Resolute is just 2 different types of whiskey barrels and the restrictions on bottle pickups are a pain in the ass. I'm not renewing for 2017.

 

I was not a member in 2015 but did have the chance to try a few of the member beers and can say this year's far exceeded what Bros did the first year. The last 3 beers that have year to become available Fire Thief (Smoked Imperial Stout), Crimson Lake (Carmine Sour Red on Raspberries) and Aggregate Species (Sour Brown) will really tell me if it was worth it (disclaimer: I have already renewed for next year). Other than those beers plus access to Resolute there were really only 3 beers (incl their variants) part of HS this year. It was basically Daylight Cravings variant and Drunken Mornings, 3 Great Debate Variants and then 2 verdure variants. I honestly was getting tired of having the so much of the same base beer the 1st half of the year. When the 2nd half came they finally started making more variety come available and that made me feel better about this year and also renewing for next.

I'm with @beernuts that the "perks" we absolutely useless unless you are local. I live an hour away and the Squealer fill was not something I could regularly take advantage of. Plus, they mentioned there would be a HS Only tap this year which I took to mean that when members visited there would always be some beer on that only members could get and not the general public. I was expecting when I showed up on my visits to HBurg and would be able to grab pours of Resolute, small batch beers, etc that others could not but that was not the case. That "perk" essentially turned into Squealer fills for members each weekend but it took them a few months to actually get that on a regular schedule. I still don't completely understand that. Are the beers that are noted Squealers fills only ones members get or is it discounted or something? I do know the beers offered for fills are at least available to anyone who visits the brewery and would like a pour of it. I didn't pay that close attention to that and honestly have only filled my Squealer once because a buddy want to try Great Debate.The included item next year of a flannel is not something I'll wear regularly but it will be nice even if I may have to wait 5 month before the weather gets cool enough to wear it. I would have much rather gotten something else though. Likely a hoodie with the HS logo on it would have been awesome.

My comments above may seem like I'm bashing HS but trust me I am not. I just have some feedback on what I did and did not like being my first year. I would not have renewed if I didn't enjoy the experience and beers this year. Bros just needs to do a little more to make us feel a little more special. I think we can all agree that most people join HS for Resolute and the variant access. After last year and Resolute sticking about in bottles for weeks after release it's not an issue to get regular anymore and I don't think that will be an issue this year even with a lower yield. It's brewery only so if you can make it to the tap room next Fall/Winter then you can probably get it. For the variants I really wish we would have been able to purchase 2 sets instead of the 1. At the very least make enough DB Resolute for 2 bottles. I don't trade much so my reason for twp is to have 1 bottle fresh and then hold onto the 2nd to have later on. They knew this was going to be a HS beer all year so could have made the space/time to brewed a big enough batch to get 2 bottles each for us. I would have gladly swapped 1 less Great Debate beer for the extra DB.

Anywho, just my 2 cents. Looking forward to 2017.

 

Been a member for both years on the fence right now. The first half of year 1 wasn't good but I really liked all of the Resolutes at the end of the year. That kept me in for year two. Especially when they said there was a chance at two sets of varients this year. Ended up being kind of tease that I think they knew would not happen. Wasn't happy with that.

I liked the Great debate beers, daylight cravings and drunken mornings but there were some people in the facebook group that had problems with leaking bottles and carbonation/off flavor issues. It was probably a very small percentage but not sure. Aside from the futnotes year 1 I havent had any problems but it is something to be considered.

Not a deal breaker but the gift this year is very disappointing after getting a $35 squealer last year. I dont live near them so I didn't take advantage of the member fills but I use it all of the time for growler fills at other places.

For me it comes down to I am only in the membership for their dark barrel aged beers. I could do with out their sours/berliners/others. So I have to decide whether the 5 beers I really want are worth $225.

 

Not to confuse anyone but HS stays at $150 for next year.

If anyone non-local is in is really just for the Resolute stuff and does not want to have to deal with the weekend stay for the release and is fine with limits on those from membership then it most definitely is worth it considering cost of hotel, travel, etc would far exceed $150 for just that weekend alone.

 

I think I remember that one of the Brothers.or a rep is on BA. What is their account? I have a logistics question for them I want to ask in a BM.

Thanks!

 

@BrosCraftBrew
@lillitnn92
@BCBChris

All work at the brewery, im sure someone would be able to point you in the right direction.

 

I'm sure you understod what I meant but I should of clarified for others not familiar with the membership.

Membership fee for the year $150 (2 reg resolute included)
2 Resolute varients optional at $25 per=$50
Member only Resolute variant optional at $25
$225 total

 

Ah yes. I did not connect those together. My bad...

 

Thanks for all the responses guys! Not sure I can justify it from the responses so far.

Especially like you said, a flannel as your member thing. Living in Florida, we really don't wear that!

Hope the best for them, but to much negative and hassle.

 

Here's the two biggest issues that kept me from renewing after my first year:

1. The ordering process was confusing, why on earth would someone have a deadline to order beers that were included in the membership.
2. The fact I'm not able to pickup the beers I purchased already on Resolute Day. I understand the increase in traffic but I'm over 4 hours away and planned to spend the day supporting the brewing.

There beers were good for the most part but there's better members available from other breweries with better customer service IMO

 

I agree with your 2nd point! I'm in Florida and was going to go up for Resolute day but saw no bottle pickup. So I drive up from Florida and can't get my bottles? No thanks!

 

A couple respones

1. This policy was changed not too far back where "included" beers no longer have to be ordered through the website. These beers will simply be able to be picked up by members when they become available. Upon receipt of these included beers you or your trustee will initial a piece of paper that the item(s) were picked up.The only limitation is they must be picked up by the 1st half or 2nd half deadlines.

2. Would you be making a 4 hour round trip on Resolute Day and not coming the night before or staying until Sunday? It does stink one cannot pickup all their beers on this day but I understand.since it is truly their busiest day of the year. They already have so much going on this would simply add an extra layer. It would slow down the line by having to verify HS beers. Maybe have a HS Member Only line with 1-2 staff members running it could be a potential solution but I'm sure their response would be staffing is at a premium as it is. But having priority status for pours and pickups on Resolute Day would be a cool perk.Another option for those staying the night and wanting to get on the road back home early Sunday is for the brewery to open up early (say 7am-9am) on the Sunday after for member pickups only (no pours).

I live a little over an hour away and to allow me to pickup all my bottles on the same day I am sacrificing not coming up on Saturday and instead coming up on Sunday. It sucks I am going to miss a great event, the guest beers and probably a lot of the bros TapList but that's just a decision I made since I cannot do both day and I'm fine with it. I'm hoping, however, that some of those Bros taps are still around on Sunday when I show up.