Bruery 2017 RS/HS Allocations

I wonder how long before the northeast customers realize their beers are slipping in quality?

 

Way to keep the tradition, a trash talk post in every page.

 

I think most us agree The Bruery makes good beer, but the distance they were ahead of other breweries has diminished and in a few cases they have fallen behind a few competitors. This year's Chocolate Rain was outstanding imo and don't understand the complaints. Haven't tried GM and steered clear, due to reviews on this forum, but there are always down year's. What The Bruery is missing imo is the feel of a BL/Funky Buddha stouts. The sours are fine as is Frucht.

 

I agree, CR this year is delicious. But, if they did a BA oatmeal vanilla stout they'd kill it and people would want it.

 

My issue is I would want to go every weekend.

 

You looking to swap locations?

 

Hah! No way! But it's one of my favorite towns to visit not located in California...

 

If you've been to the tasting room lately (or seen the number of glowing reviews on social media, including reviews of Offshoot releases), you'd see that "local approval" continues to grow at a steady pace. That said, it appears that there are a fair number of (vocal) folks on BA and other beer-dedicated sites that have moved on (or who flex their newly-earned craft beer cred by crapping on the Bruery (I'm not suggesting that all of it is undeserved)) - that, however, represents a tiny fraction of craft beer consumers and hasn't made a dent in the Bruery's business or number of people who would gladly sign up for one of the societies if existing members decide not to renew. I think this expansion is more of a logical geographical expansion which the recent capital infusion has allowed them to do.

 

Is that supposed to be a dig, or an obvious point? Of course there's a threshold for RS members on how many times over you're going to get excited about/ choose to max out $30 bottles of BT et al., especially considering the way people buy way more than than they drink.

 

After 5 years of being a member I will be letting it go. Mostly due to the fact I prefer the sour side and most of the core line up (Film, Sans, OT, and SitR) have become public beers with no need to have the membership to get them. As well, the only new beers since splitting the brands that I find myself buying a lot of is the Frucht series, which are also distributed. I haven't been able to enjoy the other perks as much, like the blending tournaments, due to changing life obligations.

I can see the value for locals who prefer the darker side for the discounts on more expensive bottles and tasting room visits. Hard to imagine non-locals being able to enjoy the smaller events vs the main anniversary though.

Now if there is a sour only option when they release details for 2018, maybe there is a reason to stay on board. Unless there is a sour option, they sort of distributed themselves out too much to make it worth it for me personally. I don't nearly buy enough or visit the tasting room enough to balance out the discount vs membership cost. I'll still buy Bruery beers, just at my local Barron's.

 

Store website has been updated with order history info going back to 1/16. This was a gripe of mine and I'm glad to see it fixed. I just don't dare total those numbers.

 

Honestly, I think a lot of the negativity is a result of the sale to venture capital. A lot of the local beer people I talk to feel that all of the new capital is going towards expanding to other places, with no new benefits and some perceived (whether real or apparent) loss of quality/affordability for the local folks. I'm not sure I agree with this, but I would love to see them use some of that new capital for us Orange County folks; something something dance with the ones that brung ya.

 

I haven't had the chance to check out any of the events during my first year as RS, nor do I buy many bottles, but still see the value. Thoroughly enjoy the beers on tap for RS, easy to decide if I should buy a bottle or pass.

The 10 bottles included are pretty darn good this year so far. Don't think there's one I wouldn't buy anyways.

Also I would think the terruex side was better this year, than it's counterpart?

Definitely interested in seeing what is offered for RS next year.

On the other hand, it's true a good amount of bottles hit distro locally, if thats the deciding factor for leaving.

 

Hang on a second while I'm "that guy" - if you average $166 per month in purchases (pre-discount) then the RS 15% discount pays for itself vs distro (assuming you think 100% of the included beers are drain-pours, merch is garbage, and don't do any events or tastings).

Obviously that assumes you're enjoying the beers and/or aren't selling a first-born to ship out of state.

 

I don't buy anything near that anymore. My early years I bought way over that amount though. Another reason I don't buy as much now, tons of stockpile. I have 12 cases of Bruery beer at home right now.

The included beers this year are all beers I've had or weren't up my alley. They do cover the "value" right off the bat, just not for me.

I'm not in the bash Bruery camp, I just still really enjoy the core line up the most and can get those at will for the most part.

 

That is freaking AWESOME. Man I am really glad to see that back....

 

I did the math. I am sad now, and shocked that my girlfriend is still with me.

 

Yea my wife has only a slight glimpse of the $ spent at the store.

 

But see, you are lucky in that there is a piece of paper your wife now needs to have destroyed to get out of that. Every morning mine leaves for work and could very easily just take a backpack and never return....hehehe. So far, she has kept coming back after 11+ years. Eventually there will be one bottle that will arrive where she just says fuck it, i'm out.

 

I have a question for you all that go to the tasting room. Can you purchase bottles to go and if so does your society discount apply?