Allagash Brewing: Tasting Room

I don’t know but it looked like there was a lot when I was as there earlier today. That place was way different than the last time I visited. Fun!

 

~30 cases of Pêche left per their Instagram story from about 10 minutes ago.

 

I showed up at 11:15, plenty left, but I’d come early today. With Father’s Day it’s already filling up fast. Also, the new outdoor space is unbelievable with this weather.

 

Making my first trip this Saturday. They've got 210 of Coolship la Vigne. How early do people start to line up for these releases?

 

Pretty sure they don’t.

 

Yes, they do. They are releasing Coolship la Vigne - 210 bottles total, 1 per person - this Saturday, 7/28.

 

People are now lining up for Allagash? Good beer, but come on. Let’s all agree to stop lining up. Then they’ll be no more lines. Ok, thanks.

 

It used to be normal to line up for Allagash small bottles and they used to sell out if not the same day then very soon after.
The first Little sal run they sold out in about 2 hours, also consider Coolship La mure and coolship Balaton both of which sold out in hours.
210 bottles is not a lot and it is realistic to expect a line

 

There will definitely be an early line for this and will sell out day of. The Maine Summer Session Fest is the same day.

 

Don’t mind me. I’m just anti-line/anti-hype in all things. I understand others feel differently.

 

You don't have to line up but if you are person 250 asking for a beer they has 210 of you will just have to choose another.
For example at the wild beer roundup. They had 24 bottles of coolship Balaton, if you were in the group 30 onwards you didnt get it.
Lines are a choice and we all make different choices

 

Basically what I said, but I'm pretty sure most people would choose no lines over lines with the exception of those who specifically like lines for bottle sharing. Although no one's been able to satisfactorily explain to me why they wouldn't be just as happy sharing in a non-line setting. Anyway, I dig Allagash but making 200 bottles of something and then having people rush out to line up in the hopes of getting one bottle seems silly. I know, you disagree. That's ok.

 

So is the arguement that if you can't make a lot of something you shouldn't make it? If more people want something than there is product there are bound to be lines

 

Are they always really busy? Are there only lines on release days?

Also, is the list on the website, what they actually have at the tasting room, or is that just a list of beers they make. I know Allagash is doing more sours/tart beers, and I would hate to show up and only be drinking Black, which I can get in the stores near me. I can't do really any sour/tart beers.

 

No there are things I’ve seen other breweries do with a very small yield, like in-house pours only, lotteries, etc. again, just my opinion.

 

They aren't always really busy. There is a large outdoor area and there is even a bar out there now. Every time I go they are expanding and improving the experience. Between the drafts(today's tastings) and bottle pours there is 20+ beers and half aren't sours. Those are all available to drink onsite.

 

Allagash is not creating hype. They are an extremely creative brewery that pushes the boundaries of beer. And they have been doing that way before anyone was standing in a line to buy beer. Allagash White is still about 80% of their sales, these Coolship drops do nothing to their bottom line.

That being said, yes, there will be a line today, and free donuts, free coffee, tons of beer on tap, dog/kid friendly, chill spot...

 

I would like to call attention the second paragraph first, and then the first. Allagash routinely gives out free donuts, etc. for every new release (and these are good donuts, not cheap crappy donuts!). How many other breweries go to this expense to create this kind of atmosphere. Having said that, they are smart - what goes around, comes around.

Second paragraph, Allagash doesn't really have to do anything any more - they can just keep selling White, but yes, they push the boundaries for both us and them. Folks, please think before you complain about a 210 beer drop. My first instinct was to complain and say "why release a 200 beer drop at all?" And then I put some thought into it. Thank you Allagash for releasing this beer. I missed being in line by a day in the great state of Maine, but like Little Sal, which I finally got to try, maybe I'll get to try this one eventually too. Cheers!

 

Allagash is the GOAT don't @ me on this. Do I like all their beers? No, but they all range from good to transcendent. I had the Avance the other night, a couple Coolships (Cerise and Resurgam) with friends last weekend along with Curieux and Lil Brett and Two Lights and literally everyone had a different favorite.

In my opinion, they're the only brewery that actually deserves lines.