Monkish Brewing Co.

Where is "here" next month? I'd follow them on Twitter or IG, and as soon as Monkish pops a release post, then head over with a collapsible chair.

Fridays are usually the best release day (from what I've seen) since they open earlier. Tues-Thurs is a 4PM open, so people have more time to react and ditch whatever they're doing.

RE: The Anniversary party, we're definitely excited to go. The Guest list is pretty long, and I'm looking forward to....everything there. Definitely using a ride service to get there though. Maybe rent a limo? Because, as we are all aware, only the best will do for the Teku.

 

I'm already on top of IG/Twitter for following them...just wondered what some "real life" experiences of people have been lately for their releases in terms of showing up at a certain time and how long of a wait it usually is.

 

Hmmmm, I haven't been in about three months or more, but really, it's as soon as it drops on IG. Yesterday, it was around...2:30? So, an hour and a half before opening. It was different yesterday since it was a low-count release for one, and it was a double can release on top of it.

You'd still expect to be there at least 3 hours if you're lucky and want full allotment. At least 2 hours waiting, and the rest filing through the line. Not counting if you want to go in and get a pint of the release and/or their other offerings (like that Vienna Lager...shit I'm obsessed with it at the moment).

 

They typically sell out between 5-6pm (assuming a 4 pm opening). But in order to guarantee cans you need to be there by opening, which gives you about an hour notice. If it is something they have released a couple times and there are close to 200 cases then cans might last into the 6 or 7pm hour and little to no line when only a few cases are left, but that rarely happens. I feel like Tuesday-Thursday are the most common days. They haven’t done many can releases on Fridays in the last few months, but that could change.
Go for growlers, the beers are just as good and you don’t have to be hassled, plus you will think less of LA after a can release.

 

Thanks @Izzy_Izumi and @Rbarnes4381. That seems to further push me towards the growler only option - it's just more of a pain getting those home and not lasting as long obviously, which is why I've been thinking about the cans. 3 hours in line away from the family on vacation doesn't sound like a winning combination.

 

You can try your luck around 5pm and see if the line has died down some. The line moves pretty quick once they start selling and if it hasn't just go for the growler option

 

I’m not sure why anyone briefly visiting would want to wait in a Monkish beer line. Your time would be better spent doing literally anything else.

 

I'd say the same goes for anyone, briefly visiting or not.

 

Shots fired!

 

I think the better use of your time would be to set up an IP trade for cans.

 

I think in the 3 hours you could grab cans from Modern Times DTLA, crowlers from Mumford and HPB and have some great food along the way.

 

In my experience, as long as you get there by 15-30 minutes after opening, you will get cans. That being said, the later you get there, the more likely you are to get fucked on allotments. Depending on turn-out, they cut allotments in half at a certain point in the line, so the earlier you get there the better.

Can releases are posted on Instagram between 1-2 hours before opening. The posts are completely random and can happen any day of the week, though the majority fall between Tuesday and Thursday. Basically as soon as they post, you have to be ready to go.

Lastly, be prepared to sit in the worst traffic of your life if the release is between Monday and Thursday. Releases on those days happen during rush hour traffic and Monkish is right off of the 405, the busiest highway in America. Between the time in traffic getting there, waiting in line, and then waiting in traffic again, can releases can easily eat up 3 hours or more of your time.

Every time I've been to a release, a good percentage (maybe even the majority) of people I've met in line have been out-of-towners on vacation. Seeing people pull up in a taxi/Uber with their luggage in tow straight from LAX is very common. It seems silly, but it happens.

 

I plan on attempting that, but based on ISO attempts at Monkish I have had before, my expectations are low that I will be able to succeed at that.

@BreakingMyBalls - thanks for the information and details.

As for the out of town commentary, I've run into people waiting from out of town in line at plenty of releases here, so my hunch is it's pretty common. There's plenty of other stuff to do in Chicago, LA or anywhere besides wait for beer, but people are willing to do it in order to get something they are interested. It's not for everyone, but if it works for people...good for them.

 

Check yur PM Craig.

 

Like....go see the Hawks play and eat a schload of italian food and make sure to get at least 2 nuclear relish chicago dogs....

Edit: And also Portillo's....Mmmmm.....

 

croush, if you happen to go to Beachwood, LMK. I'll be happy to cheers.

 

Next time your in OC we got Portillo's near Knotts Berry Farm. Same thing. Just not in Chicago. Portillo's is good. But Jonnie's Beef (Chicago) I think is better.

 

Oh I know of that place in OC. It makes a crappy OC trip bearable (I hate traffic and driving to pick up like 2-3 bottles of beer that I stupidly decided to buy due to FOMO). I will need to check out Jonnie's Beef the next time I am out there.