The OFFICIAL Kuhnhenn Winter Solstice thread

Kuhnhenn always puts out solid offerings IMO. I'll just make my judgement on how many to purchase according to what they release. With that being said can one at least be bbbw.

 

Was unaware of Kuhnhenn's customer feedback system.

If it's referring simply to social media mediums, I'd be hard pressed to fathom that any significant amount of people (read: one or more) took the time to message them and say "Wow, do you guys know my favorite part about getting 4D last release? Being forced to buy three bottles of Simcoe Sillier alongside it!"

 

Seems like you would listen to your customer base a little more. Not 100% of what we say but at least take some of it into consideration. Your beer is the most expensive in the state and let we line up for it. Help us help you.

 

i'm thinking the fact that it took them HOURS to fill the custom allocations is what is the driving factor this year. that being said, i would much rather have the custom allocations and wait around in the tent again for early AM boozing. also, given the fact the bbbw was a 2 bottle limit when the max allocation was well over a case, i dont see how they could put one in ever six pack. the dream would be 1-bbbw,2-bb4d,2-4d,1-solar eclipse(or something of the sort).

 

Hopefully Goose Island has a different customer feedback system now or else:

"Due to our observations and customer demand for our limited BCS and core brands we have decided to release BCS this year only in Customer Appreciation 4 packs. The 4 pack will consist of 1 BCS variant (either BCS/BCS Coffee/BCS BW), 312 wheat, 312 pale and matilda. Suggested retail will be $29.99"

 

Careful. This is how rumors get started around here.

 

No Honker's Ale? What a gyp....

 

That will be re-formatted to bombers and will be in a bomber 2 pack w/ either Prop or Vanilla for $59.99

 

Personally, when I go to Solstice, I am much more concerned about the tap list than the bottle release.

As for the mixed 6-pack idea....I think there are pros and cons of the situation.

Based on how I placed my order at 9am last year, and received it at 2pm....I am not all that opposed to a quick and easy trip through the line this year. And, I did not get my full order filled at that point to begin with....so, I would have gladly taken anything they had bottled. Will probably gladly take anything they have bottled this year....not like their beer sits on the shelf in Western Michigan. But, I can see how some would not want all of their beers, nor the designated amount of each. Maybe this will spread the beer around and make for fewer people missing out on beers and fewer people having to line up at 5am to get bottles 9 hours later? That may be worth the change in plan for this year....

And, I don't think equating Simcoe Sillier to 312 is even close......nor is equating the BCBS release to Solstice.

Humorous take on the situation though!


Guessing this will be the last Solstice of it's kind with the Clinton Twp facility set to open. (No, I don't have the inside scoop from a bartender!! Haha!) But, you would have to think that with the changes in production and second location, the event will reflect change as well.

I am just going in to Solstice, hoping for another great time, with great people and great beers! Easy to keep my expectations in check that way.

 

Simcoe Sillier is a relatively mediocre beer amongst a brewery line-up that contains many more much higher quality & more desirable beers, as general ratings & consumer demand can attest to.

312 is a relatively mediocre beer amongst a brewery line-up that contains many more much higher quality & more desirable beers, as general ratings & consumer demand can attest to.

 

I think the six packs have potential to be amazing, or a flop, two scenarios I see:

BB4D
4D
BB4D w/ Brett (Firkin at Great Taste)
BBBW
American Imperial Stout
Simcoe Siller

^^I'd buy it.

Another six pack scenario I thought had probability of happening, which wouldn't be ideal:

BB4D
4D
Simcoe Sillier
TRIPA
Duvil in Ms. Jones
Forbidden IPA

Probably still be a line around the block at 7 am...I think they'll pull it off, even though it will piss some people off, it'll be smooth.

 

While I agree that Simcoe Sillier is far from my favorite Kuhnhenn beer, how often is it released? How often is 312 available? Just seems to be an odd comparison.

Goose Island and Kuhnhenn operate on drastically different levels of production. That much is obvious....I just don't think you can really make a serious point in comparing the two. Although, the hypothetical situation that was drawn up with the Goose Island mixed 4-pack did make me chuckle.

Certainly not trying to say that your opinion is wrong, because you are entitled to it. I just think that Kuhnhenn is trying to find a happy medium between a smooth and timely release and getting as much variety in peoples hands as possible.

I thought all of the previous mixed-pack releases this year have gone smoothly and quickly. Would I have chosen a different ratio of beers to purchase? Yes. Am I upset about getting the beers that I did? Nope.

Besides, we don't even know what beers they are offering yet and in what ratio.

 

More Cherry Oude plz....

My dream sixer would be 4D, BB4D, BBBW, Cherry Oude, Forbidden, some kind of stout.

Really don't care either way, if I don't like it I won't get it.

 

Oh man, forgot about Cherry Oude Bruin...great beer for sure.

 

I can definitely get behind speeding up the process of selling bottles. Pre-packs works so long as everyone is happy with what they are being forced to buy. I really love the way Founders does KBS.
No hassle, no fuss. Get a ticket, show up anytime, get your stuff. May be able to sleep in, show up, have a beer or 5, get my gear, get ride home.
Waiting in lines for hours for beer is the stone age. Remember the days waiting for endless hours to get Pink Floyd tickets when they finally reunited.
Its amazing how certain breweries can't get on board with ULTIMATE customer satisfaction. I swear some of theses changes are purely for the benefit of Kuhnhenn (sell off beer that won't move as quick, ease of pre-packs, later start because 6 or 7am is too early for staff) and not the customer. Instead of waiting outside in the cold for a couple hours (like last year, then inside a heated tent with beer) folks are now looking at 4+ hours. Great job. Good decisions.

 

LOL, if you want a hug and reacharound from your local brewery Kuhnhenn is NOT for you.

 

Never requested either but thanks. LOL

 

You must frequent Kuhnhenn quite a bit since you seem to know their ethos so well. How long is the drive from Illinois?

 

Tectactoe sums up my reasoning for including 312 as a comparison. Yes, Simcoe is much more limited than 312 but both are beers I've tried and have no plans on buying again because they are mediocre to me based on similar/other beers in the same price range. What Kuhnhenn is likely doing (since we don't have the beer list yet) is forcing customers to buy (for some) undesirable beer(s) to have access to desirable beer(s). I understand where they are coming from (similar to why Sierra Nevada includes Pale Ale in their variety packs and Sam Adams includes Boston Lager), I'm sure it will speed up the process and I'm sure they'll sell out on Sat or soon after but can't say I'm a fan of this route.

And if the mixed sixer price was say $12/15 instead of $25/30+ then paying $2 for a undesirable beer isn't as tough to swallow

 

Kuhnhenn's a brewery that's put out a few of the best beers I've ever had (most people would agree), but the prices of their better beers is just... insane. Yeah, yeah, takes a lot of time, supply and demand, etc., but sweet shit.

I expect them to cash in big time with their mixed sixers. I won't be partaking. "MORE FOR ME, MORE FOR ME", yadayadayada.