Side Project Brewing (2025)

Seems to me that, if that’s the case (that LC is so large now that most bottles can’t be released to the group because there isn’t enough to go around), then a mistake was made in the first place by continuously growing the club to get us to this point.

 

We know LC has at least 1000 people in it judging by the FB group

 

I think the reason so many people are pissed about the membership is because we didn't set our expectations low enough and that's not our fault. Side project should be more transparent, which is something they clearly need to work on.

At least in the STL area, craft beer has slowed down compared to what is was a few years ago. BA releases that used to sell out, now sit in online shops for days (Side Project included). Knowing this, I would have expected there to be perks to the membership that would build on this aspect by offering something more than the beers that are now easily obtainable. I get there's other perks to the membership but some people are from out of town and can't enjoy them. I also understand that there were a few but not many LC exclusives.

Other breweries in the STL area offer all of their beer catalogs to members + exclusives because that's how it should be done. Members are generally the biggest supporters and should rightfully have more benefits.

I've been a supporter of Side Project since the Cellar opened and was finally invited to LC this last year. This membership was so horrible, I don't think there is anything they could do at this point to even retain me as a customer.

Just a reminder that when membership fees are collected, SP deposits ~$250,000 in a single day. I will not be a part of that again.

 

Take for example the 10 year box, they released to us in LC & maybe 20% got it! Then to throw salt in the wound, the member book comes the next week with that in it & majority never even had a chance to purchase

 

There are a lot of ways to give members access to beers when there aren’t enough for members. Say you have 4 beers, and only enough available to meet 25% of LC members. Let members buy at most 1 on a first come first serve basis. So, you may not get your first choice, but you get something. Alternatively, set a lottery for members where you list your preferences (first to 4th preference). We submit, they do the lottery, and you just get an email saying what bottle you got.

This isn’t that complicated. SP just doesn’t care. It’s like when people talked about looping - people said it was too much work to manage drivers licenses. HF and other breweries can do it, but SP couldn’t? Just an excuse. They can do it, they choose not to because they don’t care and it (mostly) benefits them not to.

 

Same with me. Big supporter since the day they opened, but wasn’t invited in until recently. It’s funny because, it used to be that the public saw nothing and the LC got everything. Then I got in and now the public gets everything and the LC gets nothing (you’re welcome public).

 

I’m in that group and didn’t even realize that. That’s insane.

 

I don't think I'm apart of that group... so it may be well over that.

EDIT: I am not apart of that group. I am in a different STL group that favors burritos & whiskey.

 

I'm not on the FB group either. Is the chatter about the LC memberships as loud as it is here?
Hopefully so, since they're more likely to see it.

 

Every new post requires admin approval so not really overall, but there’s definitely more complaining than there’s ever been before

 

It’s funny, because I wish they’d at least do something similar for these new beers. It stings slightly less knowing you at least had a chance but struck out.

 

Would it be safe at assume that all LC's would be fine with being offered 1pp to buy online off all the beers they're releasing to the public during these events?

I don't think the public would be in an uproar if they could only get 1 or 2pp, or if they even sold out before they could get to the front of the line. The only skin in the game that the public would have is how long they waited in a beer sales line beforehand.

If I recall correctly, the blog has been updated regularly with releases for this week. Allocate for the LC's first, then allocate for the public. Everyone wins. If the LC's buy from online AND the in person sales, more power to them.

 

I’d be fine with even less than this! I somehow managed to get the LC silent barrels last week, but even if I hadn’t I would’ve just said oh well and moved on. If each of this week’s releases were put up for LC in very limited quantities, there’d at least be a chance for each of us to get some. It’s being shut out completely that I think has so many of us disappointed.

 

The SP team knows they make far more money with butts in seats than they do releasing a beer online. I don't think it has anything to do with not enough bottles to go around. In person drives food revenue, onsite consumption (premium charge often), drives hype around bottles and ultimately more tips. It's an all around win for SP... just not LC. If you live close and can take advantage of Sunday discount, this membership makes a lot of sense. If you're an out of towner that can't take advantage of the discount often or make the trip frequently then you are probably questioning your next $250 deposit. We don't know what the end of this membership period will bring as it normally ends with a bang, but what doesn't feel right is almost all the most exclusive bottles getting priority released as in person (people with 0 investment vs. the club you sell at a premium). I look back in time at how many memberships have run their course and no longer get filled. If I can make $0 investment and get almost every single release + exclusive beers, why make this investment any longer.

 

Seeing as the last DB Generationals have been all-time beers for a lot of people, I'm expecting today to be the first truly busy day.

Fingers crossed for 1pp to-go.

 

Brewers Reserve Society was only $100 for the membership. Unfortunately I missed the sign up and it sold out. (Totally pissed) Seems like a pretty good deal. Is anybody a member? How does it compare to LC?

 

I simply don't understand the expansion of LC given what appears to be a clear change in strategic direction around releasing beers.

And, no hate to SP for changing direction. They pivoted during covid to keep the business going and now they're pivoting back a little (or a lot) to get butts in seats of their three locations....and I don't blame them for that at all.

They just don't make sense together...you can't do both. You can't double (or more) the size of your membership, charge them all $250, and then simultaneously make the majority of your releases IP only.

 

You can if people pay you for it either way.

 

It’s not a membership in the same way as LC. All you’re really doing is paying for guaranteed access to buy Assassin, KBBS and MD and the ability to use a proxy for them, which they are normally IP only. You also get a members only beer and a party where you can bring a guest. As far as I know those were the only 4 bottles they got this year. But for me, the ability to have a proxy for those releases is worth the fee.

 

This is the real kicker. It doesn’t matter if 50+% chooses to not renew. There will for sure be a line of people waiting to pay the $250 to take those spots.