18th St Barrel Massacre

I find it interesting and strange that they even let us see that information.

 

I post this with trepidation, but this maudlin obsession with whether 18th St did, or didn't, sell out of the tickets to BA Massacre, and all the angst surrounding the event, is getting old. The point has been made - the ticket and bottle pricing was not what most here thought was reasonable, and the time window for the event was too short, given what you got for the money. So, you either decided to go, or to forego the event. This is simple economics - when demand exceeds supply, prices increase until demand levels off, and then supply and demand return to equilibrium.

My next lecture will be about opportunity cost, but I digress.

Well, actually, this is all about opportunity cost. I decided to forego the event, and I love 18th; but, I have a better use for the $$ and time that it would cost to attend and enjoy the event. I don't begrudge 18th St for pricing their product as they see fit.

I'm not an 18t Street blind sycophant, but maybe the pendulum here has swung way past center left?

 

It's a forum, people get to say (mostly) what they want...even if we may think it goes on for too long. I personally found this event very interesting. I chose not to go due to location, cost, beer selection, and timing. I have found the conversation pretty interesting, even if it did go stale or overboard at times. I'll still buy some 18th Street stuff anyway when I get the chance going through that area.

You may not have intended it, but posting a somewhat condescending lecture probably isn't the way to get people to take a step back and look at this situation differently than the way it has developed here.

 

I don't know that I'd use maudlin to describe (most of) the arguments in this thread. There were a few cheap shops and overreactions but a lot of the complaints seemed pretty rational. Like I said, based on how I swung and missed last year, I pulled the trigger on a ticket without exploring the event fully. I'm going to go, I'm going to drink some of the taps, I'm going to buy 2 of the bottles....and I'm probably done supporting this event after this years go 'round.

Plus they just cut off ticket sales today, its ok to talk about recent things. Do you need to talk about Prince? I hurt, too.

 

Perhaps more than "maudlin obsession", this is misplaced sesnse of jubilation that the pendulum is swinging in a different direction. Breweries really can't charge whatever they want and expect people to line up like Pavlovian dogs. Is it fair to 18th Street that they may be taking a loss on the event and BA is celebrating? Probably not. I love many 18th Street's beer too, but owning a business is not all puppy dogs and rainbows.

 

But I think thats exactly the point, they don't want people lining up like pavlovian dogs for this or any other high demand event anymore. theres never enough beer for the huge line of people, and thats where the problems come from. The solution is to make the most in demand beer an event that will be less popular for the masses (based on pricing), and sell to the most loyal customer base who is willing to pay a bit higher price to avoid the bullshit of lines, showing up super early, risk of getting shut out, etc.

 

Why all the updating/harping/mocking?
(1) This is the Internet age. Nothing better to do.
(2) scha·den·freu·de
noun

1. pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune.

Granted, this is not truly unfortunate for 18th Street. But they tried to push the limits too far on this one.

 

This idea is not without merit. However, 18th Street no doubt would be better off had the event actually sold out, regardless of who shows up. There is an equilibrium, which was missed.

 

Last year they claimed you could only choose two of four bottles then day of it turned out everyone got a full allotment and I think three of four types had plenty left over.

 

"Somewhat condescending"? I guessed I missed my mark, which was for total condescension! And, I really enjoyed using the word maudlin - its underused, in my opinion.

In all seriousness, I wasn't trying to lecture the collective, just trying to point out that there seems to be some enjoyment in 18th's failure, if in fact the event isn't sold out. I try to maintain good beer karma, and something in the reaction to the event struck me as negative energy.

Now, the discussion about Pavlovian dogs is very interesting, because I tend to agree with @jefeld - maybe 18ths main focus was to avoid a mass shitshow, where people are lining up down the block, leaving many disgruntled people with a bad taste in their mouth when they walk away empty handed. But, I also agree with @JohnnyHopps - there was a chance for equilibrium, and it wasn't achieved here, but my guess is it takes time for the market to level off? I'll guarantee that the response to this event will influence 18ths future actions. It might be that they decide that the only winning move is not to play (loved War Games), and just sell their more rare bottles off by private subscription or to the LOE only - how would that be received in the public's eye?

 

This is interesting logic. Reward your most loyal customer base by charging them higher fees? Never mind that any disloyal Joe could have logged on to the universe site and handed over the money for a ticket. I can think of other methods to reward customer loyalty but if you think a good approach is to have them empty their wallets even more... I'm sure the overlord loves customers with that mindset. That's some Jim Jones-level commitment there.

 

Well played!

Your general comment certainly is right that there seems to be some folks that enjoy seeing this or use it to blacklist 18th Street...but, that's the internet for us. As I said before, this won't impact me too much...I have had a bit of a change of heart regarding 18th Street lately, but it's not due to this event. There are still a few beers I really like, and will pick them up when I think it makes sense (i.e. after I get rid of a bunch of my excess beer now!).

 

I don't think anyone here wants to see 18th Street fail. I agree with you that there are several missteps that they made with this event that will dictate future actions.

They could set up a membership and sell rare bottles similar to Solem Oath.

 

Or they can keep growing and brew enough to get past the notion of "rare" beers, ala Revolution.

 

Straight Jacket is still too "rare" for me...wish I could get that sweet nectar of the gods year round!

 

This seems to be a trend that brings about comments like that. Some places in Oregon are beginning to have an approach of raising ticket and drink prices for events. Anyone who complains is instantly given crap by the fan base. Maybe the culture is turning more angry or perhaps it's the stfu and follow everyone else way of thinking. I agree that raising prices isn't a way to keep a base. But I've seen people from all hobbies keep paying. Until that changes businesses will keep doing it. I mean why not, it gets them profits. There's a lot less people out there that are keeping away from these practices. In Portland upright and block 15 come to mind that aren't jumping on the elitist way of doing things.

 

Any word if the brewery will be open after 2nd session?

 

Yes, they will be open from 7pm to 12am.

 

My Friday agenda for those of you who don't care: 1-3: Group 1 Massacre, 3-however long it takes me to sober up and/or lose my $ at the craps table at Horseshoe, 7 pm back to the brewery in hopes of more barrel aged bottles.

 

They are not selling bottles after the sessions