Other Half December 2017

Adding to this conversation: beer has definitely solidified the relationships I have with my older brother and my grandfather. While my brother and myself both work in the medical field, my grandfather is a retired brewer from Schaefer when they had a spot on Kent Avenue in Williamsburg. My brother practices out in Philly, and we both take periodic trips to the New England area to buy beer. Family gatherings have ultimately turned into bottle shares where we turn our 85 year old grandfather on to beers from Other Half, Tired Hands, Tree House, Trillium, etc.

 

I was planning on going to the release tomorrow as SD is my 2nd favorite OH beer. However with the snow I will definitely be canceling that plan. I can only imagine the normal 1 1/2 hour - 2 hour drive on a sunny day turning into a 6 hour shit fest for a one way drive.

I did just pick up a 4 pack of Captain Lawrence's Powder Dream (galaxy+citra) and it is fucking awesome. I'm gonna go grab more to soften the blow of missing out on SD. Grab some if you see it.

 

For anyone going to OH tomorrow, Folksbier still has some cans left a few minutes walk away. I haven't had this batch of their IPA, but a couple of them have been really good (and they adjusted their taproom pricing a month or two ago).

 

So no longer $8 for 10 oz? That was crazy pricing. Glad to hear because Folksbier is a great change of pace from OH. Took some visitors first to Folksbier and then to OH for a beer night, awesome change of pace.

 

I honestly don't know what it is now. But it used to be like $11 for a ~10oz glass of their IPA, which was insane. I've only Hung out there once since then and I remember the prices were lowered, but don't quote me on dollar amounts.

(They sold pints of their IPA at Prime Meats' Oktoberfest event at I think $5/pint, and I got quite drunk that day with my wife. Since then I've only bought cans at the brewery.)

 

Any word on bottles, wondering how much is left.

 

Would also like to know if anyone’s cracked either of them. Only picked up a bottle of Get Busy Livin as I still have a couple older BA Orbit bottles I’m not thrilled about

 

Tomorrow will be my first OH release since my trip to Iceland. This snow doesn’t scare me at all.

 

Isn't Greenland the snowy one? Also noticed Equilibrium put up tents and heaters for their release, further proof OH hates us all.

 

I've just come to accept that OH has little/no interest in doing anything to improve conditions for customers lining up for their beers, especially when juxtaposed with other nearby breweries. Heaters/tents? No way. Dynamic or lower limits? Don't count on it. Wristbands? Rarely. Pre-release case counts? Don't feel like it.

The OH attitude on social media n such seems to be this "we don't give a fuk" sorta thing that kinda works for their brand but also kinda rubs me the wrong way sometimes. That said, I truly do wish it was more of a marketing facade and they'd actually listen to their base when it comes to policies and procedures that would have a marked effect on the quality of their most ardent supporters' experiences at their establishment. Kinda sucks that their beer is so good, as I often find myself gravitating toward other (no pun intended) local breweries until the recurring FOMO of an inevitably new OH release sets in.

 

I think a lot of the issues you’re taking about just aren’t workable here in they city. Tents and heaters on a city sidewalk? Wristbands work for the long lines like the collaborations but don’t really make sense when people have nothing else to do. Wristbands at breweries like EQ and Hudson Valley don’t make sense. If you’re showing up early enough to stand in line, then stand in line. This fan service is getting a little ridiculous if you ask me.

 

I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be very chill.

 

Let's not turn this into the Batman and Robin movie

 

fan service with heaters and tents is one thing. you can do that in middletown ny especially after you've just cut ties with your 'tap room'.

fan service by not posting case counts and saying things like 'plenty left' when its going to sell out in an hour or two is another. they even used to say 30 or so cases of such and such. lately the default has just been plenty left regardless of allotments. in my cynical opinion, its just to motivate people to go to the tap room.

 

and last time i was there. some #linehaze bro specifically asked for the cans with the cooler labels. the guy behind the counter was like 'they're all the same bro'. craft beer in 2017.

 

Almost no line, I’m just around the corner on to Smith. Usually it’s like a quarter of the way down Garnett at this time.

 

Some empty chair nonsense going on...

 

Why doesn't everyone either just ignore the chairs or fold them up and move on? That shit should be nipped in the bud before you have guys dropping chairs at 5pm on Friday and coming back at 9:30am.

 

Are people actually lined up behind empty chairs? Just walk right past them like they are not there.

 

Nah, I think the Equilibrium crowd are just wimps...