Physically Most Demanding Release & Most Remote Brewery

I think that's the one I mentioned above - this was the last one before they went to the lottery ticket system, no?

 

I'd say in Ohio (as far as I've visited) Hoof Hearted is definitely the most remote. It's literally in a field out in the middle of nowhere with a tiny barn and house. Worth the trip from Cleveland and the waiting in line every time though!

 

I don't see how a beer release can be physically demanding unless you're the brewer or one of the employees(and I was at the first Hunahpu's variant shitshow way back when). However, the most remote brewery? That has to go to Kern River Brewing Company. Super isolated and regardless of which road you take to get there the views are some the most beautiful in the country. Firestone Barrelworks would be number two for me. Not much out that way, save for the odd Danish village, and the sights from the PCH are renowned. Any brewery in Key West could easily make this list. There is only one road in or out and everyone drives on it like they've got four flats and one cylinder firing. Been to Vermont before but haven't gone far enough north to hit HF yet. Hopefully this year though we'll be able to get up that way.

 

Remote: Big Bend Brewery in Alpine, Texas. 3.5 hours from El Paso, which is pretty remote itself. Or 5.5 hours from San Antonio. Good beer though, especially when looking at the surrounding desert psychologically dehydrates you immediately.

 

Most brutal was the last bottle release at the old Captain Lawrence location, in Pleasantville, NY. At that point you needed to show up the night before if you were gonna get beer. It was near zero and there was only one space heater. We all bundled up best we could but it was fucking brutal. One guy stood too near the space heater and his pants caught on fire. When the sales started there was rampant line cutting and it became obvious folks had grabbed handfuls of tickets so their friends could show up in the morning and join them in line. I was the only one in my group that got beer, and only because I met an old friend as he was leaving and he gave me an "extra" ticket.

OTOH it also was one of the sickest bottle shares in history. Thank goodness CL doesn't do that kind of release now at new location.

 

#1, I've only been to the Trickery release at Hardywood this year but stood in line for 3 hours. That seems like something. As for off the beaten path, Devil's Backbone Brewpub is IMO, THE definition of "off the beaten path". Not really conveniently close to Richmond or Charlottesville, well off and away from the interstate.

 

When beer starts making "physical demands" on you, it might be time to re-evaluate your life

 

Hunahpu, being surrounded by so many rude, obnoxious bros was physically demanding and exhausting.

 

The UP in Michigan is pretty remote. Lake Superior Brewing has been mentioned. Tahquanamon Falls brewing is also remote. Brickside brewing in Copper Harbor is a bit of an expedition for most of us.

 

Demanding release? Probably the initial Firestone Walker Barrelworks release of Feral One. Stood in line for a few hours. With my bum knee, that was demanding. Should have brought a chair, I guess.

Not going to do that sort of thing any more; I have done it a few times and come to one conclusion. For me, there is no beer worth waiting in line more than about 5 minutes for.

 

This one for me, ambient air temp that day was around -5F, but with the wind chill it was closer to -25F. I saw a lot of bottles of 16 explode beer slush out the top from people allowing them to get too cold, which was easy to do.

 

Eh, I guess. It certainly is "all by itself" though.

 

For remote, I'll nominate Brewers Union 180: http://brewersunion.com/ . When the nearest town of any size to you is Eugene OR, that's remote.

 

Never been to a "Release", but waiting outside in line to get into the Midwest Belgian Beer Fest sucked. SO hot. Sadly, it was just as hot inside.

 

Physically Demanding - Standing in line is not physically demanding. As for which release sucks the most? BCBS.

Out of the way -Hill Farm

 

I was there for that one too. Made my wife come with for my birthday present - I still have to hear about it to this day

 

Never been to a beer release. I would love to attend Darkness Day, but am always working.

Most Remote: Bone Island Brewing in Key West Florida.

 

They are in such a beautiful place. I doubt there's another brewery more remotely located than these guys.

 

Kern River feels remote, even though it's about an hour from Bakersfield, but definitely worth the trip.

 

Westbrook sold pre-sale tickets, you literally had two weekends to make the drive and pickup beers with no hassle other than your drive.