Odd Side Black Friday Bottle Release

Holy commas Batman!
I asked what on tap so I don't have to call a hectic bar (most likely). I figured someone was there and could help out. I'm on my way no matter what and was curious. I've read the entire thread and haven't seen a comprehensive tap list (especially if they have the special releases plus "15-20 others").

 

I can't for the life of me understand why they won't enforce a limit. They have to know that half of those 800 cases are leaving the state via mules and traders. It's almost like they want to get recognition outside of west michigan to help build their brand. That's walking a fine line between getting your beer to fans outside the area and making sure your loyal local customers are taken care of...

 

I was a fan of having a limit but have they even run out yet even with 5+ cases being fairly standard?

I understand that it means less to distro but I would imagine selling it yourself at your brewery is easier than distro'g it & getting it to all of the stores since they self distro. I didn't specifically look for out of state lisence plates but most of the people that I talked to were from other parts of MI, I didn't run into one person that was from out of state which is rare for a MI beer event of any type

 

They sold out at 4:00pm. A limit could have extended that certainly through the rest of the day, and maybe through the weekend. Still probably would have sold out and left none for distro.

The local trading groups on FB had numerous guys buying 10-12 cases per person. Almost all of that beer is leaving the state via trade. I'm even fairly certain I know who had the 27 case order and if it's him then that's all leaving via trade also.

 

Letting people leave with 30 cases just seems ridiculous. I don't understand how they allow it.

 

It was my first time at the brewpub. Awesome spot.
Wish it was closer. What a lineup today.

Lets try to keep it positive. If you were shut out there are likely folks across the state who will trade some with you.

 

If I were the brewery (ie Odd Side Ales) and knew that I was releasing a highly anticipated beer (Hipster Brunch Stout), my goal would be to move as much of it at the release as possible. Think about the difference in revenue/profit by self distribution via brewpub vs. via a distributor. I'm guessing (and I could be very wrong here) that Odd Side gets significantly less than $5 a bottle when distributing (or even the $4 a bottle when buying by the case). By selling 800 cases (as the number I keep hearing), they just brought in $80,000 in Hipster Brunch sales in a day.

I get why many are upset over the lack of limits, but I didn't arrive until 10:30ish, and was still able to get everything I wanted. While this will likely see little / no distribution as a result of the success of the release today, I talked to a few out of staters who will be sharing their allotments with friends back home. There were definitely plenty of these beers to go around if you were able to make the trip out here, and I'm guessing there will be plenty on here available for trade as well...

 

I should have mentioned that I had no intention of going to the release, so I'm not someone who was shutout. Selling one person 30 cases just seems ridiculous, though. I honestly don't know much about how Odd Side runs things in general, but it seems like the craft beer community has a general vibe of trying to spread the love, and allowing unlimited purchases on this seems counter to that.

I certainly can't fault them for maximizing their revenue, though.

 

Can't imagine the distributor or bottle shop owners would be too happy about this. Why give Oddside shelf space if they are just going to "mule" out their more sought after beers right at the brewery?

 

I get what you're saying regarding pissing off their larger customers (ie distributors/retailers), but so much of their other good stuff already hits distro (picked up 4 bottles of BBA Mayan Mocha on our way to the release, for example). Regarding your last post, I would also agree 30 cases is beyond ridiculous. That being said, the 2 guys behind me bought 5 cases of Hipster Brunch, (1 case for each of themselves, and 3 cases to be rationed out to their friends back home). I understand this practice more (especially for a release with this type of availability), even though I don't necessarily agree with it.

 

the breweries are always the only ones who don't expect this, lolol. Never forget: beer people are the worst.

 

What do the glasses look like?

 

Hopefully there weren't too many peeps taking advantage of the no limit on hipster, if in fact they've sold out I'll miss out since i was hoping for a second day of availability. Wishful thinking, but I've never tried hipster and really want to. That being said, I'm not local but i can honestly say I've enjoyed every odd side beer I've tried.

 

I was hoping to get a later crack at it as well since I had family in town today. It's one thing to avoid distribution by selling direct (which does make sense). Selling almost 30 cases to one individual with no limit is an entirely different beast. Next thing you know, bottle shops will be buying 60 cases just to resell it. Actually, that might not be so bad, as I would have a better chance of getting some...

 

Limited release rule #8 - Never dare hoarders & traders

 

I would like to know the logistics of whoever purchased 30 cases. Did they have a capped pickup? A UHaul? How do you get that where you're going? That's a big stack of beer, and pretty absurd no matter what the situation.

 

It's a guy that looks like McLovin from Superbad and he probably thought muling for 20+ people would get him more friends.

 

Oddsides did a great job. I was a little annoyed by the cutting, especially the guy who had his 70 year old mom show up with him 30 minutes before opening to cut right in front of us. We got there at 6:30 am.
He probably thought no one would say anything to him if his mom was with him. The guy with the 27 cases was muling for an east side group I guess. Anyways, met some great people and got my case of hipster and 4 pack of hazels nuts.

 

Hazle's Nuts stole the show. Dudes who were working behind the bar said they'll probably have a cap next time, for what it's worth.