Worst Brewery Experience?

Was it a Koelsch?

Just kidding. Their "word" appears to be worthless. Word will get around and they should know that.

 

Perhaps not a bad experience, but when the New Belgium Voodoo Ranger beers first came out, I commented on a BA thread that the labels would make really cool shirts. Someone from the brewery contacted me saying they were coming out with shirts, asked my size and address, and said they would send me one. Never got it, though I recall seeing them in their website store. Honest mistake I'm sure, can't really hold a grudge over something that was going to be free, but left me disappointed.

 

My biggest disappointment is in a small brewery near my area, I'll leave them nameless. Their beer is solid (not mindblowing by any means), but the tap list hardly ever changes. They come up with nothing new and often the couple beers I would be somewhat excited about are out whenever I stop by. I understand having staples that you stand by, but 7 dollar pints of the same basic stuff is only gonna entertain me for a handful of visits. No guest taps, no seasonals that I know of. No sours ever, no imp stouts or NEIPAs ever. In fact, hardly ever any dark beers. Just a bunch of ipas, a lager, a scottish ale (that I enjoy, it's usually out), wit, and tripel. I think they put a black lager or ipa on once in a while..(which I don't like)

I'm pretty sure they'd go out of business in any town with competition and/or poorer people. I just can't pay premium prices for the same boring beer and spotty service.

 

Never really had a bad brewery experience, some are better than others, and opinions vary. I don't really care for Wicked Weed, Its always super crowded which is fine I get that, but when the bar is full and they're 3 deep at that big top bar and there's only two bartenders it kinda sucks. When your this busy in prime time you need to hire more people, it's pretty simple. I just find it a hassle to be honest and the beers aren't good enough to kill many hours to have a few beers. That and the parking is a hassle too, but that part of Asheville downtown. Much prefer Buriel, it's certinly not fancy, but they are properly staffed at both bars , IMO the beers are much better and it's easier to navigate. 12 Bones is a few minutes away too as a bonus.

 

Tree House. An unexpected, supposedly silent two can release of Juice Machine which, apparently, everybody knew about but me until I was stuck in the traffic jam out on Route 20. Made to park my car out in the woods behind some service shed. Two and a half hour wait in the rain listening to small children crying because they were cold and wet.

 

Maybe InBev can't afford to hire more bartenders?

 

.. . @papposilenus - crying kids...that's totally on the parents. ;P

 

As long as the place is packed the bottom line says thank you.

 

I wouldn't wait in the rain for two hours for any beer on this planet. Forget the rain, not even in nice weather. No beers that good. Who brings their kids to stand in the rain for beer for that long, parents need to get a grip on that, the kids were right to bitch.

 

Ass whipe service will always hurt the bottom line. Even for those with deep pockets.

 

They must be in the high rent district at $7 a pint, and being boring too!

 

High and rising rents are the bane of breweries. Seen, actually, read aboot this being a major downfall, like most of us have. Charging outrageous prices ain't gonna save them, generally.

 

Yeah, at $7 per pint that brewery probably has reached their 'point of no return'. I won't return; then their won't be enough return on equity; and then soon their employees won't have to return.

 

Your last comment ...always makes me sad.

 

They're across the road from water and a park in a nice town. Location and lack of competition is saving them, because of people not knowing any better or having a better option. The rent may be outrageous though.

Some of the lighter beers are 5 or 6 bucks, but anything I like from them at all is normally 7 bones. None of these beers are barrel aged or seem to be that expensive to brew. A bit pricey for the styles offered imo.

 

Apparently some people can.

 

Another reason why a place like Buriel is a jewel. They're outside of downtown Asheville in and about the arts district, more warehouse district I suppose. Not an impressive place, but it's clean and neat, well staffed with friendly people. They do serve food, but nothing glitzy. They put their money into better beer; Period. And I enjoy spending my money there, bottom line.

 

Sounds like a model for success.
I hope that I didn't just jinx them.

 

I was at a brewfest and asked a gentleman from a brewery if they sold their beer in PA (the city they are from borders PA) because I have never seen it. Dude got pissed off like I should have known that. Needless to say, their beer sucked anyways lol. Probably why I've never seen it.