The Half-Acre thread (2018)

Cash only could definitely work, and the incentive for faster lines is this:

Yeah, the beer sold out, but there's always the chance that people in line will buy more stuff (merchandise a growler, etc.). Plus there's a good chance they'll head over to the tap room and spending even more cash dollaz.

 

Or just do what all the established BA stout makers do- charge $5 more next year and see if it thins the line. Repeat process until you don't sell out same day.

 

It's how they've done it for over 5 years now. I can't see them changing it up. For galactic double daisy, people have been on line for hours way past 5pm. This definitely did not exceed expectations. It's just the way they do things, and one of the reasons i showed up early. I couldn't afford to wait in line all afternoon, but did have some time in the morning.

 

To play devil's advocate, it's "just the way they do things" up until it's not; they could start holding these events at their Balmoral place, for example, and have more registers there (to go with their restaurant). Or do what Chipotle does in the Loop, and have "line busters" (employees with portable registers).

Despite my wish that they'd have had more beer available, it was a (relatively) refreshingly short line, given how Big Hugs is. Clearly having it during the week cut down on some of the line.

 

According to the three employees I talked to it exceeded their expectations, especially considering Orin lasted till the following morning.

Also didn't they have two lines for Big Hugs last year? I thought there was separate payment lines for cash and credit. So they have done it differently in the past 5 years.

 

Agreed. I was more or less replying to the "turnout exceeded expectations" line, and it most definitely didn't. It was very similar to all previous HA releases.

 

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Exactly, we don't know how the new place will change things. Will they release half at each? BHA and GDDC releases should be a festival that takes over the Balmoral parking lot IMO. Celebrate great beer.

 

Then to be honest, they're not paying attention, which is on one hand admirable, and on the other kind of funny.

The weekday lines for a Pale Ale have consistently far exceeded what showed up today.

To think that a brown ale would have the same level of interest as a Coconut Stout is just laughable.

 

Especially considering that brown ale is a much better beer.

 

Yeah I didn't think so. I liked this better. At FOBAB I had them about on the same level of likability. When I tried Benthic today it went over and above. Call it even? Sure. Orin was great too...But theres no way Orin was "much better".

 

Agreed here. It's definitely amusing that they have somehow missed the fact that BA stouts (especially ones with adjuncts like vanilla or coconut) pretty much rule the beer nerd world. I mean hell, how did Vanilla Big Hugs turn out for them?

I'm definitely in the "Benthic was better" camp, and I'd say by a fair margin. They're distinct beers, though, so I get why people would like Orin better. I just happen to like my barrel-aged stuff to be 1) thick and sweet and 2) a stout.

 

You know what they say about opinions.......
I look at it this way. Orin is outstanding. Its also not a beer style not often made and made that well. Benthic is very very good. But there are also a ton of great stouts out or coming out very soon. I love it and wish I was able to make it today but I always laugh how a beer based on style will sit around and others sell on style alone regarless of how good they are.

At the end of the day HA barrel program is killing it right now which is only a good thing.

 

Yes, but you know what they say about barrel aged opinions....

 

You know, I agree in theory, but I'm one of those assholes who pretty much exclusively wants barrel-aging on stouts (and sours), because they benefit from barrel-aging in exactly the way I want. I've had plenty of other BA stuff that's great, but I (embarrassingly) haven't gotten to the point where I don't always think "man, this would be fantastic if it were a little thicker!" (that's what she said)

I'm also the same guy who can't get enough good IPAs, so clearly I'm exactly the "extreme flavors!" douchebag that half of Beer Advocate hates (and blames for the stagnation of beer styles in the US).

And yes, it's awesome that Half Acre's barreling program is already this good. I no longer have to harp on them for mostly being good at IPAs.

 

BA stouts command the most demand by far. I really appreciate what HA did with Benthic. Put out 3 variations at their party and bottled the best one.

Orin is awesome, and Perennial Devils Heart of Gold is along the same vein.

 

I had a small por in the tap room. It was good - maybe a little sweet and boozy fresh, but not cloyingly so like many fresh BA RIS.

 

For anyone in the Roscoe Village area, Four Moon still has Benthic on tap for $11/9oz. Almost no one here.

 

Is everyone biased about Benthic being "better" than Orin because Benthic is a BBA stout with coconut? I really liked both and I cannot determine which one of those is better because those 2 are different styles.

 

That place is amazing, and everyone should check it out regardless. Great beer, amazing home cooked food, and very reasonably priced.

 

I had Orin and Benthic (at Village Tap the week before), and I preferred Orin. It had more bourbon BA imprint on the beer. Don't know about other versions of Benthic, but compared to the one at Village Tap, I would have chosen Orin.