NE IPAs in Ohio?

Have new breweries ever even tried to attend a smooth release and implement successful practices? Because it feels like so many new breweries just throw preparation to the wind and wing it.

I also avoid releases like the plague if I can help it, unless the brewery has a system that clearly works. From what I've seen, the most successful releases are:

1) Announced well in advance how the procedure will work (probably the most important facet)
2) Some form of first-come first-serve system that requires the person to be there, in person, to pick up beer. I'm not entirely opposed to advanced ticket sales, but I think it often causes more trouble than it's worth
3) Clearly stated, reasonable limits. You want to be the mule for your friends? Cool, you guys are splitting a couple 4 packs, or a few bombers. The demand is there. The beer is going to sell. I don't see the reason in selling cases worth of relatively limited beer at a release.

Jackie O's and Wolf's Ridge, IMO, hold the best, easiest releases in the state. I rarely hear of people complaining about either being a "shit show"--but also neither of them release NEIPAs that cause people to absolutely lose their mind over.

 

Because they're able to meet demand. Masthead and Hoof currently cannot.

Canned NEIPAs are hardly common in Cleveland. And just because you don't enjoy the style doesn't mean it's not special to other people. There's always going to be a flavor of the month. No point in getting flustered over it.

 

SMH...maybe they should have asked their moms to join them and offer some sensible advice when they emerged from their mom's basement and asked her for a ride to the release.

Agreed the allotments should have been cut. COMPLETELY agree that some of these new breweries should attend similar releases prior to their own releases. Lets hope next time they take constructive criticism and adapt.

 

Just to play devil's advocate, Jackie O's did have some borderline shit shows back in the day, but they always called audibles, changed allotments when facing huge lines, opened early in the cold, etc.

 

1 year anniversary and only a few can releases so far. They will make changes and make it more pleasant for everyone involved... I hope. Hoof was pretty rough after they got popular (which was quick!) and at this point, I would much rather hit up a Hoof release knowing I'll be guaranteed 1/2 case allotment per brand. And if that is try about 105-110 cases per brand, that is crazy that they would have allowed case per brand.

 

There's pallets full of close facsimiles being trucked out of Stone, New Belgium, Ballast Point, Sierra Nevada etc every day.

But I mean special releases used to be for barrel aged beer, wilds that took 18+ months to mature, special variants on a brewery's most expensive beer etc.

 

There is such an easy fix for that... Allotment! That's why they have them. It just blows my mind that few breweries have any idea how to properly do them. Make it a single four pack or two per beer if you need to. That will control demand and allow more people to enjoy the beer. It will deter the traders and people looking to make a buck, as well.

Its not difficult. State allotments will be set before doors open based on the popularity (the line) and adjust as needed. You will get your five people who will complain they didn't get to buy six cases and drove 3hrs both ways, up hill in the snow, but then the brewery is able to offer beer to dozens more. It's fair, and not only that, it is proper customer service. People respect that.

 

If you're implying any of these breweries distribute something similar to Masthead's NEIPAs, you really have no idea what you are talking about.

 

Hop juju next week!

 

Doesn't Monkish do something like this? They see how many people they have and then set allotment limits and give everyone wristbands so there's no line cutting and whatnot.

 

I was at the release and I agree it could have been ran way better but I also agree with the fact that I don't think they expected that many people. They need to seperate where you buy beer and if you just want a case or cans. I think that was a major issue with how slow the line moved. There was two lines to buy everything and pouring the beers was taking time. Maybe add more workers and maybe set up a place by the food station where you can just buy beer to go. Juju comes out and your in and out in minutes

 

This is a wildly overstated statement about Masthead compared to Fat Head's. Juju they have so many cases it's breath taking to see and it gets hard distro in Ohio. Comparing it to a brewery that has limited can availability and who aren't even distributing is a bit much.

 

FYI: I bought a case each of Flat Earth and One Trick. I gave a mixed 4-pack to three buddies who showed up late; sold a 4-pack of Flat Earth to a guy who got shut out; gave a 4-pack each to my brother and the rest is in my fridge. There will be no trades. I will drink every last can, probably by Sunday. This brew hits the style dead on, IMO.
The release was not flawless, but having been to many other anni events and releases, this was not a "shit show". When you can show up 15 minutes prior to the release and purchase allotment plus drafts. Win.

 

I have a sneaking suspicion you won't be the only one within a 3000 mile radius doing something like this over the weekend...might even include myself in that small population

 

For Hop Juju releases:
This wasn't true last year but was true for previous years. Last year I went up on release day expecting to be in and out in maybe 10 minutes. I was shocked to see a line that went into the taproom side (not the merch / to go side) and people lined up along the tanks for bottle / case sales. I don't remember exactly but I waited probably an hour last year in line just to buy bottles to go.

 

Same. Either way it's probably not a comparable situation because most people know they can just wait til it hits distro.

 

For JuJu, just go the next day and wait in 0 line. They make plenty, it will be on sale for weeks. I always go the day after and in/out in about 2mins.

 

I thought everyone knew beer isn’t as good if you don’t have to wait in line for it.

 

It’s even worst when there isn’t a new vintage entry on untapped, what’s the point of even getting it then if I can’t log a new unique 2018 entry

 

lol right. That's a huge pet peeve of mine. If the beer isn't made differently it shouldn't have a separate entry. If a user wants to notate the vintage they're having, they should on their own damn review. Untappd is so cluttered with useless 'unique' beer entries it's insane.