Is Brewiety Legit?

You can expect to receive the approximate volume equivalent of three (3) 22 oz bombers each month

40$ + shipping a month...Hard pass

 

I got the email too, I signed up but they do not ship to my area. A buddy of mine did it and he likes it.. I think they have only done one or two shipments.

 

A monthly charge for $50 in return for ~64 ounces of beer. The styles of which I have no say in. Where do I sign up for this opportunity?

 

This question has popped up in a couple of other subfora, so maybe the Mods will consolidate them into this one for all to see.

I don't know anything about Brewiety, but after looking into it I don't get a great feeling of security. Not to say that it's not legit, just that it has some odd claims and practices for a start-up.
As noted, the next shipment is supposed to be HF. Since Mr. Hill is a staunch supporter of limited distribution and zero resale of his beers, I wonder how he feels about Brewiety. From a NYT article some time back: "He operates under the belief that beer is a perishable item, “just like lettuce or broccoli,” he says, and should be consumed locally, not shipped long distances."

Brewiety's FAQ page addresses shipment timing by stating that you'll get yours at some point during the month, adding "Unfortunately, as these beers are being brewed fresh and specifically for the club, we don't have specific dates on when the beers will be ready."
Again, damaged shipments are addressed with the claim "Unfortunately, we cannot send out another shipment as the beer is being brewed just for the club and there is not extra beer laying around."
I seriously doubt that this part.

 

I would prefer to trade with people here whom most know and you will get better beer, fresher beer, and the care of packing it correctly. I think I would pass on this since it seems a little vague and open ended to me. In reading their legal items they state you are buying direct from maker of the beer, and that you are legally responsible for the shipping laws and regulations of your state, etc. I guess if I can buy direct why pay a middle man at all, that seems stupid. They are a 3rd party taking no interest in the purchase and sale other than their cut least that is how I see it.

 

They've delivered two rounds.

Round 1 was 2 each of Evil Twin 16 oz cans, Unstouttd and Lost Souls (IPA)
Round 2 was 3 AleSmith bombers...Speedway Stout, Grand Cru and Old Numbskull
Round 3 is supposed to be Hill Farmstead, next month.

You sign up (can cancel after any round if you're not happy) and get one box per month. Selling point is that they are supposed to send beer to your door that you can't get locally, is from "highly rated" breweries and some/not all is supposed to be beer that is not otherwise available.

It's a great idea but at a high price point. Also, they typically don't announce any details about what you're getting until they send it out

 

1. Membership Rights. Membership in a subscription program offered by Brewiety provides you with the opportunity to purchase beer directly from breweries which hold licenses to sell alcohol to consumers (“Participating Brewers”). All orders are sold and fulfilled by the Participating Brewers and not by Brewiety.
2. Seller nor Brewiety makes no representation as to the legal rights of anyone to deliver or import any alcoholic beverages or other goods into any state.

Then why do I need Brewiety? If these participating people are licensed to sell it to me already I can simple go to their website and buy, what are they offering me here? Sounds like someone who thought they could get rich off taking a cut and playing middle man.

 

I've now been through the first two rounds with this club and I will be cancelling after this latest disaster. The first month was 6 16 oz cans of Evil Twin beers. An IPA and a stout that was supposedly brewed for the club. Well the IPA made it in to distribution and the stout ended up making it in to distribution as well, and both well below the price point of what club members were charged. By the way, we were given two extra cans at the last minute because of issues they had, so it was originally going to be $40 for what was available to me for $16 worth of beer. Now we receive 3 750 mL bottles from Alesmith that have been brewed for years at this point and if they're not available in your state, I'm guessing people have at least come across them during their travels. The club has been incredibly disappointing so far at best and a complete ripoff at worst. I understand that to sustain a business not everything can be rare or exclusive, but the bill of goods that we were sold was that we would receive these sorts of things whereas to date we've received all shelf beers. In the end, I do blame myself as I should have known that this was probably a little too good to be true given the price point.

 

I'd be a little peeved about round 2 since those are shelf beers many places. Hill Farm I may take a chance on if I could cancel after that.

 

Sounds like they are basically re-selling stuff that most can get and calling it rare or limited. Did you contact any of the breweries that are supposed to be selling and ask them if they are working with these guys? Seems a little fishy to me, sounds like a cash grab..

 

That was my entire point, if you read the legal part of their website as I posted above they state you are buying directly from the brewery. That does not add up since they don't sell direct, see my point. Somehow I believe they are getting these beers and selling them without the brewery knowing they are, I bet you money you call any of the breweries they claim to be selling and they will tell you they have ZERO contract with these guys. Just my 2 cents and wild guess but if it seems too good to be true 99% of time it is, buyer beware.

 

I predict the Hill Farmstead stuff will just be readily available collabs that have HF's name on it like this:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/825/90903/

 

From looking at pictures on their social media it appears as though they are packaging everything up at the breweries and with the Evil Twin beers being picked up by FedEx in Wallingford, CT and the Alesmith beers in San Diego, it would further support that they are packaging at the breweries.

 

If you are located outside of Vermont, please understand that there are no plans to expand distribution beyond existing markets

That is a direct statement from of the supposed sellers, seems odd they would post this and state no out of state distro but these no namers get special made beer just for them, lol sorry.

 

Ahh I didn't think about those. I'm out.

 

As @HeilanCoo described this does not sound like a business that a brewery like Hill Farmstead would participate in given their past history, which makes me suspicious of how Brewiety is obtaining these bottles. Also, the beers they had other months mentioned by people don't sound like particularly rare/limited/unusual beers either, just ones with some limited distribution.

They sound very similar to Rare Beer Club, except that Rare Beer Club is far more legitimate, has been operating over 20 years, and actually collaborates with brewers for their monthly beer selections. If you're hankering for some rare/limited beers and willing to pay the extra cash, I would recommend trying Rare Beer Club before this.

 

I would put a decent amount of money down that's exactly what it'll be. Especially since they're apparently from NC and I know there's a decent amount of Vermentoise kicking around NC.