New Glarus Sour Brown

Here's a really good idea:

NG shouldn't sell any of these bottles until the week after the great taste. Then, all that extra business (from people coming out of state for the great taste) won't be around the brewery. People won't be buying merchandise, tokens for tasting glasses, or any of the beer that they have for sale there. This, ladies and gentlemen, is how you operate a successful business.

 

Their desire to only serve WI is to keep their distrobution costs down and to create a mystique about the beers from other states. Go to any other state and ask people if they want you to bring down some stuff, 99% of the time it is just some New Glarus beers.

 

I'm confused, what time is this on sale? Originally it was at 1PM on Thursday but now it's 10AM on Thursday and Friday?

 

I think the 1pm Thursday was a typo, and should have been 10:00 Thursday. The brewery and gift shop open at 10:00 am every day, so it seems strange that they would wait until 1pm to release the beer.

As for Friday, I don't think they had originally intended to sell the R&D beer on Friday, but have since changed their mind. Allows for people traveling to GTMW on Friday to swing by the brewery on their way to Madison.

 

So, what kind of line should one expect? I would like to think that it won't be a problem showing up at 10 and getting bottles, but I know that's a dream.

 

Which day are you thinking of showing up? Each day has pluses and minuses methinks.

 

Though it's the least convenient, probably saturday.

 

I just called up the brewery and they said that the information on their facebook post is correct. 50 cases will be released tomorrow at 1:00 pm. 50 more on Saturday and 10:00 am and 50 more Sunday at 10:00 am.

 

I think Friday and Saturday will be the toughest, just due to the glut of people for GTMW. Sunday would be good for people who don't attend or who don't get too dialed in when leaving town. Thursday is good for people who are relatively close to the brewery and don't have to work.

I think showing up at 10am is reasonable for Thursday and Sunday. Hard to say for Friday and Saturday.

 

Might want to call them back and find out which Facebook post is correct. They have two post with conflicting information.

From Facebook:

 

How many of those people stopping are really going to stay that long and are they going to buy much besides their allotment? I would bet many are just going to stop in, either on their way out of town or way into town, get their allotment, and leave for home or to their hotel in Madison. Most likely they will get a bump, but will it really be that much extra versus them releasing the beer later and having people travel to the brewery to get it? I don't think your snarky response and scenario is as cut and dry as you'd like to think it is.

I'm not arguing for or against their release policy because I think they're damned if they do and damned if they don't. Given that they announce the fact that they're Wisconsin only every chance they get, it seems a little harsh on their local consumers to release the beer when a bunch of people from out of state will be at a nearby festival. On the other hand, you could look at it that since they're not distributed outside of the state, they're appeasing their out-of-state consumers with a special release when they are going to be nearby. Plus, since it's a style of beer that many of their "regular" or local consumer who drinks mainly Spotted Cow or Totally Naked, it could be argued that they wouldn't want to buy it anyways.

 

..The bigger deal you guys make about this, the worse you guys are gonna make this.

It's just beer. You've got the details. You'll get some.

Stop worrying.

 

I think it would make more sense to have it another week and have all these people come up and stay in New Glarus for more than just a pass through on their way somewhere else. My guess is most peoples plan is to come up to NG, get their bottles, maybe a beer, and move on to Madison, whereas if it were another time people might spend a whole day in NG patronizing NG and the surrounding area.

 

if it was all about business model, they'd increase size exponentially and distribute to 50 states and beyond. Don't be an idiot.

 

Additional clarification from NG via Facebook. Still seems strange to me that they are waiting until 1pm on Thursday, but whatever.

And they did clarify that the R&D Sour Brown Ale is a different beer than the previous Unplugged Sour Brown Ale ("similar but different").

 

I'm more excited for the return of Hometown Blonde and of course Staghorn. I would love to be able to try the Sour Brown, but unfortunately don't see myself at the brewery any time soon. I was thankful that the Gueze stuck around for a little bit when it was released a couple of years ago during the GTMW.

 

Last time they did this (2010) and the release lined up with the great taste, my buddies and I spent at least an hour down there and we all bought other things rather than just our allotment. I probably wouldn't have gone down there otherwise as I have checked out the brewery before.

Maybe I was thinking differently than other people.

 

Cant wait to buy a case or two of Staghorn to crush all football season

 

Love Staghorn, but I'm more excited for the return of Home Town Blonde.

 

I already acknowledged that they'd most likely get a bump. Many will stay, many will not. I just question whether it would be so much different or bigger versus releasing the beer at a different time. If they'd have released it later, plenty of people from out of state (IL in particular) would've made the trek to get it. I can see why locals would be upset. I can see why New Glarus chooses to release it when they do. But you don't give a shit (which is your right) and think it's funny to make a snarky comment about running a successful business because you're going to be there. Good for you.