2017 Westbrook Releases

Price check?

What's it cost at the brewery?

 

$200

 

That price tag is absolutely insane. I'll pass on this one.

Hope they bring some to Brewvival tho.

 

DAMN!!

 

It was insane in regards to the amount of reserve bottles that got oredered during the last ba cake release. They really do know their market.

 

I can just imagine all the people in town for brewvival, a group of 4 at westbrook saying why not to a $200 bottle.

 

Westbrook is a curious entity. They do things like brings several bottles of Pappy Cake to a free tasting at CBX that doesn't benefit them at all, a super generous move. But then they release a variant of a beer where they plan to sell the entire batch for $200 a bottle.

I understand a company's right to charge whatever price they want for their product, and honestly I'd rather see the brewery get the profits then some dbag joke reselling it on the secondary market. I also am actually not opposed to the "wine" sales model and the craft beer industry moving in that direction.

That being said, this seems to be a bit ridiculous to me. People will pay it, sure. But at what point do you start alienating your customer base? I would say right about the time you produce an entire batch of beer which you sell for $200 a bottle.

 

Yeah definitely. Westbrook also isn't exactly like other local breweries or most craft breweries. They started with a lot of money and have marched to the beat of their own drum since the beginning.

 

I know a lot of people that would easily pay that much.

 

I would rather put money in their pocket, so it goes back into the brewery, then some guy on the secondary market. They are simply aware of the industry norms, can't fault them for being knowledgeable and changing their pricing to normalize to the demand. I say good for them. No need to leave money laying on the table.

 

I know a lot more people that not only wouldn't, but also won't buy their other stuff now either.

I'm not that soured by it personally, so grab me some ziplocks @jfstilling

 

Why would anyone be so offended that they would stop buying Westbrook? That literally makes no sense to me. They have core and season offerings that are wildly affordable and easily accessible in the area. So they release a beer that people feel are overpriced and that maybe some people can't afford...but others will gladly pay...then they should boycott all of Westbrook's products? Man, what is happening to this country? Has it really became that people are so easily offended and entitled? It's really sad.

 

I guess I should clarify (since I was mostly kidding), I know people that will SAY they won't support them out of offense.

Personally I like the idea a lot. Even though I won't pay for CCB's cellar bottles it's great that friends can come to town and try some of their best stuff. I think the $200 is strong but as a business owner I can certainly state that I am looking to maximize profits.

EDIT: to answer your question, because people feel entitled these days.

 

Won't stop me from enjoying a One Claw on the beach.

 

I agree here. I won't buy CCB's bottles unless friends come into town as I've normally been able to have them ahead of time (El Cat member). That being said, I will absolutely pay for bottles at Westbrook when I visit. I'll either spend the money there or at a bar on drinks downtown. May as well enjoy a nice bottle while visiting.

 

Have you seen the price of that last bottle of ABMC?

Westbrook is doing what a lot of breweries are. It gives an opportunity for folks that cannot make a release, are not lucky enough, or want something special to be able to get it. Normal market forces.

Just because you think a beer should be priced at X doesnt mean other people wont pay more for it.

Look at the secondary black market, I am sure if bottles were to be found on it, people would pay much much more than $200 a bottle.

 

Simply put, Yes

 

If Westbrook prices that bottle in the 30-50 range then they probably disappear in a matter of weeks. I like the pricing on the vintage/special bottles because it basically guarantees they will be available for a while. So it becomes a case of "hey, I happen to be down here with some friends for a vacation/event/etc, let's splurge on a bottle" rather than "OMG I need to run down this weekend or I won't ever get to try it!".

Anyone who would actually stop buying Westbrook's core lineup beers simply because of an expensive on-site only release is a child. It's basically an attitude of "I need to be able to tick everything - but only at a price I consider reasonable!" The only thing worse would be copping that attitude because it's on-site only and they are denying you your #rareloot.

 

Call me old-fashioned, but I'd rather spend $200 a couple of hookers for the night while drinking a $10 bottle of Siberian Black Magic Panther.

 

Westbrook can CHOOSE to charge whatever they want for their bottles and consumers have the CHOICE of deciding if they want to buy them or not. The idea of boycotting all things Westbrook because some of their products are out of a given person's price range is illogical to me. Nonetheless, even the person boycotting has the right to make their CHOICE too.