Are Collaborations Successful? How Successful?

For a brewer I think collaboration is a plus because it gives them a new product to sell which, if successful, they can claim credit and if it flops they can point fingers at the other guys.

 

I honestly get that. "Scarcity" or "rarity" always hypes things up, not just beer. It just doesn't make a difference to me. I know I can get the 500 other IPA's that Other Half releases during the year with much less hassle, and for the exact same quality.

 

For sure. I’m the choir here preacher. Preach on. Amen. Etc

 

Um, I'd check 'Sometimes' if it were an option. Those Hill Farmstead collabs are pretty darn great, and usually fit right in with the rest of the HF selections. Had a Bunker/Lost Nation smoked Helles this summer that was honestly better than both breweries (and that's saying something as I'm a fan of both). I've also had other local New England area brewery collaborations that were pretty much just like, oh, well, it's drinkable...

I've heard a bit about the process and it seems like a hassle for the most part to make these things work. Generally one brewery takes over the beer entirely and a few guests chip in ideas and/or ingredients. It's kind of a little vacation for the other brewer who gets to take back a few new skills or some shitty gossip about their 'host' brewery. I do feel that the results tell a lot about the process (or lack thereof) that went on behind the beer. And usually, it seems more like a gimmick or selling point than an inspired work between two artists.

 

It seams like collaborations are a fairly common thing these days. We see the response to some (e.g. OH), but how excited do you really get for them anymore? The collaboration aspect is playing a less and less role in my beer buying decisions.

 

I like them well enough to buy them but not enough to drive any distance to get them.