Beatification Release

was first in line this AM, still 12 bottles per w/ cases available. Didn't ask how many

 

I was there on release day at 8AM, and we had a good time chatting with people (lots of familiar faces) as we had some coffee and then opened a few bottles to help pass the time. When the line split we stuck to the pub line, which in retrospect looks to be the right decision. We made it into the pub just before noon and managed to snag a table. Service was understandably a little slow but all the staff were super friendly and doing a great job.

In the future, I think the issues could be mitigated by planning the lines a little better. Having someone there from RR early to direct line formation and hand out numbers would be a good and easy way to do it, and this would eliminate much of the cutting, too. They should probably also not let people in through the back door, as was apparently the case for Zwanze, in order to prevent cheating. (To those who cut and who allow others to do so: screw you! This is the one area where it's not entitlement, just a reasonable expectation of basic decent behavior.)

That said there is definitely some entitlement in this thread. Remember, Pliny/Beat/etc. is not a right! I'll relate this little anecdote: as we neared the pub entrance, I chatted with the RR employee manning the door and asked how he was doing. He said something to the effect of being bummed at the lines, as he wished everyone were able to just get in and enjoy some beer. If you ever chat with Vinnie or Natalie, you'll get the same impression. If anything, I'd say a giant event like what went down is the opposite of what they want--they'd rather sales be spread out in order for everyone to have a better experience. That said, hopefully the organizational hiccups during this release will be educational when it comes to planning for future ones.

An aside: am I the only one who really respects their decision not to grow the business when they obviously have the demand to support such a move? They're in a comfortable spot, they're rumored to be almost debt-free, and they're having a good time. Why change?

 

Reread the post. They do not expect to sell out today.

 

Quick Beatification update: amazingly, we still have bottles left for sale at the pub! And plenty on draft. I expect we will not run out of bottles today, since we have as much as we sold yesterday. We are sticking to the one case limit per person so it could go fast. But I will keep you posted! Thanks again to everyone who came out this weekend

That's what I get for scanning FB.

 

How is this batch drinking? I didn't attempt to head over, sick kids, outta control Christmas spending and release hype made me pass this go round. I hope it lasts for a few weeks on draft...I can swing 7 bucks at the bar

 

Very crisp, clean, not out of control sour. First time having it and I was impressed. Wish I could make it back for more bottles. Will return for it on draft. Definitely worth it.

 

The few employees I talked to at the release were surprised that the line was so long. That tells me that either 1.) that was their first day or 2.) they have absolutely no perception of reality. The crowd has been growing steadily at every release over the last few years. The popularity of their pub has done the same. Any halfwit could have predicted the shitshow that went down on Saturday simply because "2013ers bro."

Let me put on my robe and wizard hat and Nostradamus that shit for next year. Hmm, I'm predicting even more people into craft beer, very likely $20/bottle for Beat, longer lines at the pub and still a whole bunch of RR employees standing around with their hands up their asses trying to figure it all out.

I respect people's business decisions. But trying to defend them with obscenely irrational explanations is stupid (see: growler issues.) The fact that they couldn't think on their feet and mitigate the crowd issues tells me that even after all these years running their business, they still haven't figured it out.

I truly like Natalie and Vinnie from the limited exposure I've had with them. And most of the employees at RR are super cool, albeit a bit lost at big events. They should really ask for help, hire a consultant, or reach out to their customer base for feedback on how to run their events. Patrick Rue does this very well - he stays super connected with his customer base so he is always trying to improve his business.

Russian River has a lot to learn. And so do I, apparently, because I'm still drawn to release days. It's funny to think that nearly all of Vinnie and Natalie's business problems could be solved by switching to an Alesmith-type release or providing more instruction, handing out tickets to people in line and getting more employees to help with the bottle-only customers.

 

Beat will certainly be $20 a btl next year. Hopefully they keep the announceent down to 36 hours or less (or none at all) and release it midweek. Problems (depends on your perspective) solved.

 

Still bottles left and draft tastes light and crisp, funky, slightly sour. Good stuff!

 

I went in the back door just to use the bathroom before getting back in to line. It was about 3 hours in the bottle line at that point, plus my 2 hour drive to get there... so I had to really go quite bad. Anyway, the guy manning the door in the back took my ID when I went in and gave it back when I exited, so I'm not sure how someone would get away with sneaking in through the back.

 

I love not having to order it online beforehand(sites always crash), but the DDG pick-up was so damn smooth. No stress at all, had my bottles within 5 minutes and was drinking at the pub/tasting room for the next 3-4hrs meeting awesome peoples.

 

Sunday they let people in through the back early to sit at the bar while others waited like normal human beings out front. You think they didnt know there was a line out front? People just dont give a shit about anyone but themselves.

 

I was td 25 cases left.

 

Now just heard 34 cases.

 

Ah, didn't know this was the case, and sounds like a workable solution. Just sounded like some other folks were able to short circuit the actual pub line.

 

As of 1:15pm Tuesday beatification is officially gone. At the bar right now.

 

Got to the bar at 1:10. Bar tender said they were all out, but managed to find one last case. Picked up four.

 

Any 3 Liters go out?

 

Despite rumors of 3l's a few weeks ago, i dont think this transpired.

 

negative. My girlfriend went there to wait out for them the night before but a friend who works there said they weren't selling any.