Completely unscientific poll about HS/RS renewals

Aside from the obvious infection issues and somewhat lackluster new offerings (thus far), I think that a significant issue moving forward will be The Bruery's insistence on large format bottles. I know that there are many of us who have cellared a sizable amount of Black Tuesday, Chocolate Rain, and even Grey Monday over the past few years. They're not easy beers to crack open because you have to have a few people receptive to drink them. When you also consider that BT barely trades for anything anymore, I think that a lot of loyal Bruery customers won't be purchasing as much of those beers in future years. If they were sold in 375 ml bottles, I would consume them A LOT more often because I could either drink them in one sitting or have it over two days without worrying that it will oxidize and that I'll waste half a bottle. I know that this is nowhere near on The Bruery's radar, but I think that even if the infection issues were resolved, the demand for some of their popular 18% beers may decline.

Back on topic, I still plan on renewing my HS membership. I currently split it with another BA. I live locally, so it's just too darn convenient and I love their parties. Although they also need to bring back the damn Clusterforks!

 

Damn. I guess I should have read through all of the posts before writing mine. It's interesting though that this issue is rarely discussed yet on a lot of RS/HS minds.

 

I think it gets brought up a lot when discussing peoples' wish lists for the Bruery. It doesn't help that the Bruery has been so adamant about sticking with the large format bottles. That being said, they've been very good about listening to feedback about how to improve the RS/HS, so I personally am holding out hope that they'll listen to reason.

 

I may be in the minority, but I love the 750mL size. I'm very capable of taking down one by myself, and I enjoy that much more of it. True, I could just pop two 12oz bottles of the same thing, but I prefer the bigger bottle. I've actually been slowly clearing my cellar of any small bottles because I just don't like the smaller size. Again, it's a preference, but it's something I've always loved about the Bruery. They could do both size formats like a lot of Belgian offerings and give us the choice, but I'll always buy big.

 

With you and PlinyBeMiney on the bottle size - The Bruery needs to get over it, (I have really enjoyed popping 12oz bottles of BCBS spread out over the course of this year) - While I think capping the 750 works fine, I don't always want to commit to drinking 750 in a couple of days of the heavy beers, would rather have a little now and a little a month later...

 

Yeah I don't understand the people who say they can't finish a BT on their own in one sitting ... I am already sad I am forced to split it with my wife. Would love to have a full 750 for myself in a night!

 

I can finish a bottle in a night, and occasionally do. But I much more often don't feel like drinking the ~1000 Cal contained within. If the beer is in 375ml bottles, then when I feel like more BT, I can get two. I don't have the reverse option with 750mls. Why push for less options??

 

Calorie counting....what?

 

Not really, my body size and workout regiment make it difficult to put on weight regardless of intaking 3-7k calories a day. A full bottle does nothing, hell, I would probably lose weight.

 

I mean that's nice and all, but a quick look at the community would show you that you're clearly an outlier, no?

Not to mention that besides strict calorie counting, it's all sugar. That's not healthy no matter what it's doing to your weight.

Tack on that drinking that much alcohol on the regular. I like my beer, but I recognize that it's not the healthiest hobby and try to mitigate where possible.

Again, I occasionally dome a BT (or equivalent). But why not make those bottles a bit more accessible?

 

Looking at the community, no, not an outlier based on what I have seen. Maybe they are all hiding or something or the groups I drink with are all skinny nerds like myself.

 

Have yet to see one positive for the 750ml size.

 

They look beautiful and have done an incredible job of branding that this reinforces and it conceivably improves their ageibility?

 

I do understand that their might be business reasons for going 750ml (e.g. Branding like you mentioned or just having a single bottling line). From a consumer perspective the benefits are a bit of a stretch

 

One way to encourage more 375ml bottles is to find and buy the good ones that are out there. Lost Abbey / Port Brewing is one brewery that comes to mind that frequently uses this format. ( Deliverance, Older Viscosity, etc. )

 

Or buy the good ones out there like those from Russian River.

 

Yeah but the pricing is terrible from LA. $16+ for 375s when The Bruery sours are $17-20 for 750s. RR are much more palatable at ~$13 than LA.

 

If beer doesn't equate to weight gain for everyone, it almost certainly results in an exponential amount of beard growth. Either way, it's an unfortunate development.

 

Agreed. Lost Abbey does some awesome stuff but at $14-16 for a 375mL it's pretty ridiculous to buy a lot of. Deliverance and Red Poppy especially are faves but it's hard to justify the price.