2017 Westbrook Releases

Man, if you are paying $200 for a couple of hookers, you better double wrap.

 

Can someone change the name of this thread to "complain/take up for Westbrook's beer pricing strategies" please?

 

If he's old fashioned, he'll use duct tape.

 

I actually strongly disagree with this. I understand if people feel differently about Westbrook due to this decision, and I think thats fine and doesn't make them "child"-ish at all. Craft beer is a business, and businesses by definition are out to make money, of course. But for many people, especially those in smaller cities like Charleston, there was very much a community feel to the craft beer industry (especially back when there were only 3 breweries in town which was not that long ago at all). So, fair or not, I think many people (especially those who have been around the scene for a while) view craft breweries as more (or at least different) than a typical business.

My problem with the MC Riserva is that it takes away from that community feel and adds to what is becoming an ever-more-elitist scene. Also that it is clearly now ALL about profit. Now is having different expectations for a brewery than a traditional business unfair? Probably, but thats how I feel. I feel the same way about hospitals, and sports franchises, and private schools. Ridiculous comparisons I know, but again its true. Some things should be about more than just profit.

For what its worth, I don't plan on boycotting Westbrook. And for whats its worth I don't think they are bad people or are some evil empire ruining the craft beer scene. And for whats its worth I could easily afford to buy a bottle of MC Riserva, so thats not the issue. But do I view them differently due to decisions like this, of course I do, and I think thats fair. And if I am at a store and a sixer of One Claw is sitting next to a sixer of Dead Arm, I know which one I'll pick moving forward, and it will no longer be a coin toss like it once was.

 

One claw because its a lot better right?

 

Haha lol. One claw being better than Dead Arm. Good one.

 

Agree to disagree then. I think its way better.

Also had two claw at the brewery today and it was the best Ive had. Easily the best IPA along with Sungazer in town.

 

Does the price point disappoint me? Absolutely. I flat out won't spend that kinda money on a single bomber of beer, nor do I have friends who would comfortably split said bottle were we to make a trip. I'm sure it'll be absolutely delicious though.

And I'll continue to drink Westbrook beers, as they are quite tasty. But I may occasionally pass them over fer somethin' else I feel is just as good now.

 

Unfortunately this is the "everyone deserves a medal" mentality and I can't really get on board with that theory. That in and of itself is a childish and illogical way of thinking. The world isn't fair and most of us will have a certain price point that goods or services become too expensive. That doesn't mean the business providing those goods/services are seeking to create disparity. In the case of Westbrook, that just means they are charging a fair price for their product. Before anyone says is it a fair price or not, that's already been answered by those purchasing bottles.

 

Ya, a $1,000.00 for the ab cake is fair too.

If you don't think so, you deserve a trophy.

 

Well people will pay it whether you like it of not. Put it in perspective to wine or bourbon. PVW 20 for $1500 isn't fair either?

 

Are people still getting their jimmies rustled over that obvious joke $1,000 AB Cake listing? Christ. I hope Westbrook is actually out of bottles but they just leave that on the menu forever, or at least until someone actually tries to order one.

 

I was told its because WB only has a single bottle left following the last BAMC release, hence the price increase.

 

I don't think everyone deserves a medal and I don't think anyone is entitled to anything. That is not what I said so either you are not understanding my points or are intentionally twisting them to try to prove something. You may not agree with what I'm saying, but the idea that charging $200 a bottle for an entire batch of beer may alienate portions of your customer base is neither "childish" nor "illogical". And if you don't think that charging $200 for a beer is establishing an elitist culture in craft beer then I don't know what to say.

 

bunch of crying over somebody's business decisions in here. open your own and do what you want then deal with the rest.

 

I'm not sure what to tell you. If you're someone who feels alienated bc you can't afford something, that seems exceedingly childish and entitled...or at the least, offended that you can't afford something you feel that you should be able to afford. I can't afford a certain clothing line offered in Nordstrom, that doesn't mean I'll stop shopping there. Westbrook offers plenty of affordable beers to it's customers. If you're going to stop buying their beer due to FOMO or whatever, that's a pretty childish mindset. Like throwing a temper-tantrum in Wal Mart bc mommy and daddy won't buy you that toy you want.

 

This logic is like a person enjoying a Hamburger, finding out the price of a Filet, then being mad at the Cow!! SMH!

 

I think this opens up a larger discussion of how breweries embrace the secondary market. (Not politicizing beer sales with dumb republican ideals like 'trophies' and 'entitlement'.)

Breweries are well aware of what their beers sell for in the secondary market. And there are multiple ways to deal/think about it.

You could go the 'Cycle route' and increase production, therefore reducing rarity, keeping prices relatively flat, and purposely allowing everyone the chance to grab a bottle and drink their beer.

Or you could go the 'Westbrook route' and throw a secondary price on very limited production bottle, restrict where you can acquire such beer, and therefore reduce the number of people who will drink it.

The cool part is that neither one of these is wrong! Just different ways of doing business. Although ones comes off as a d-bag practice.

This is just the beginning. Enjoy the ride.

 

Can you define "d-bag practice", and then enlighten us on which of the business models you describe falls under that category?

 

What about Sam Adams Boston Lager and their $300 a bottle Utopias? Do you also feel like they established an elitist culture? What about other companies like GM who make both Cadillacs and cheap Chevy work trucks?

Lots of companies in lots of industries offer a wide range of price points to market to different customers. WB has affordable six packs for your everyday craft drinker or for people getting into craft beer. Then they have expensive bombers of small batch beers aged in expensive and rare barrels for die hard craft fans who have disposable income. I'll have to disagree that it is illogical to resent or boycott a company for having diverse price points.