Assassin/KBBS day 2017...

I get what you are saying. I just don't like it when people take the "holier than thou" attitude to this stuff, or anything really. I agree that people going to these to explicitly sell them are shitty people, but what they are do is no less unethical or immoral than what everyone in the world does every day. It just so happens there is a forum for people to bitch about their actions and how they "would never do such a thing", while going about their live doing the exact same thing, just in a different way/manner.

 

I agree with this 100%, with the exception of it being a $60 or so bottle of beer. Everybody seems to forget that it actually cost $205 for Assassin Day. Seeing that KBBS is in much shorter supply and much higher demand, I would guess that TG values their product at around $100. That would make Assassin around $52.50 each. Cash only with the exception of the purchase of the ticket certainly is helping TG up their profit margin. Yet nobody seems to mind TG's profiteering on this whole thing. I'd also point out that when Vanilla Rye hit the shelf it was $22ish. Now we see it selling for $225 and it was holding $200 within a year of the release. Is this the true measure of a whale, when its secondary price hits 10x retail? Whatever the case, if TG charged $1,000 for Assassin Day, would this somehow crush the secondary market? Not a chance and it could quite possibly have the opposite effect! There is always going to be a mark-up for something someone else has that is in short supply and that you want. It doesn't matter if that's KBBS, VR, FO, Superbowl tickets, Cabbage Patch Kids, or a van Gogh.

That all said, IMHO, I find it deplorable that folks got into the TG lottery just to try to make a buck. Enjoy the beer, let it age if that's what you like to do, but drink it and share your good fortune with your beer buddies. For most of us, that's why we got into this hobby anyway. That being because we went to some bar or brewery and had some good beer with a couple of buddies. As soon as we got over paying stadium prices for a pour of something good, then we were hooked. Furthermore, if you can't afford the hobby and need to turn it into a business, then please find something else to do with your time, like finding a job. The non-hobbyist and opportunist are what's wrong with this side of the industry.

 

^ Second paragraph FTW!

 

They've tweeted multiple times over the last few days expressing disdain for profiteers and looking at ways to stop them. This wasn't my idea, I was just going with stuff Clark said on twitter.

 

I agree that the price creep by breweries of beer in certain instances is getting absurd. Beer has been historically considered the common man's drink and has been priced accordingly. And still is for the most part. But now because a segment of beer sits in a barrel for 6 months or more that same segment of beer should be considered more along the line of wine and be priced accordingly is interesting certainly.

However, that some profiteer who is adding no value to the product whatsoever is benefiting rather than TG who actually made the product is a bigger issue to me at this time. Issues with the TG price of the beer aside, TG should be the only benefactor here. Unfortunately as the posts here have indicated, it's not an easy solution. I do think the onsite only consumption model is the best way forward until a time where supply is much, much, much higher, which honestly is likely never.

Also, it's very likely there are greedy opportunist speculators who are post-release buyers, if you will, and are only intending to try and sell it again for even more to make a quick buck. This could exacerbate the stupid prices.

Well said. I agree that most of us got into and enjoy craft beer because of the beer. I do think there are some who are more into the craft beer scene rather than the beer. The beer is secondary to them. These profiteers fall into this category imo.

 

Like I said, it's good PR, it plays well. A man of the people standing up for the little guys. It helps you ignore that the man is selling beer for $7/ounce.

And i paid it, happily. I am just not so sure they are in command of the high road. I love their beer, though, which is all that really matters. And just saw they are coming to Illinois! That will save my poor old truck some wear and tear.

 

Jaycase, I think you nailed it there man. On-premise and other things to let the brewers get back their profits is the way to go. The funny part of that is that so many people that participate in secondary will scoff at brewers asking for near secondary levels for their cellar list. My thing is, I can visit a brewery casually with friends, split the cost, and support the brewery. Wins all around.

The craziest part of all of this is the "artist" or brewers here are literally starving and could never afford the product they make. There is something profoundly unjust about that. They don't make great money but they sure as hell make great products.

 

I literally don't think you know what literally means.

 

Yeah, most I know are pretty big guys, opposite of starving

 

Fair point. They are not literally starving, but they are not in a high paying profession which was my point.

 

Pretty funny when I guess most beer enthusiasts fit in your description. Kind of funny that the first size Assassin shirt to go was XXL.

 

Beer, wine, booze, cars, houses, clothing all have luxury markets. That doesn't preclude the everyday versions of those same products from existing. The slow birth of the luxury high end market started a long time ago, and it certainly hasn't arrived now, and it certainly hasn't reached its apex, and it certainly doesn't mean there isn't plenty of reasonably priced great beer available.

 

I...what? That's...that's...you just...

 

You can't get lucky and buy a Mercedes for $10k. Arguably your already paying luxury prices for a $50 bottle of beer. The secondary market is a completely different thing.

 

Nice review from EW, and pretty accurately sums up how I felt about KBBS. The glass smelled of syrup for hours afterward.

 

Sorry, but that bottle is going to cost you much more than 500.

 

I believe he means 500 points, as in choosing the 500 point block under the "Things I'll never get to try" category in Jeopardy.

 

I can't for the life of my decipher what point you're trying to make here. There is a secondary market on all goods, luxury or otherwise, that are scarce and desirable by many. Outstretched demand and limited supply for goods of high quality is just one driver for the costs of luxury goods. You absolutely can buy used Mercedes for $10k. $50 is absolutely a luxury price point for a beer. It's not the top that the market will bear, though. And over time that top of market price will trend ever upwards.

 

Yes, having not been raised by wolves in a very small and very dark cave, I actually did pick up on his incredibly blatant pop culture reference.

 

Yet you decided to make a stupid remark....guess you just needed to be heard.