Maine Beer Company (Black Barn Program)

I find that marginal craft beer fans support MBC & don’t realize what a poor value they are (or can’t do math). Most think Lunch is the pinnacle of IPAs & compare it to Harpoon IPA & think they’re going “upscale” & buy into MBC’s image IMO.

 

I find that there is a large portion of craft beer drinkers who think no beer is worth drinking if you didn't have to wait in a line to get it.

 

Do you have a formula you can share?

 

Heady Topper is 12.99 for 64 ounces. Lunch is 7.99 for 16 ounces. It would cost 31.96 for a 4 pack of Lunch at that price point, and Heady is better.

 

It’s actually small, but the amount they brag, yap & d*ck measure about acquired beers makes it seem larger than it is.

 

Its probably the same people who know what Heady Topper is but have never heard of The Alchemist

 

Remember that people here often confuse their own personal opinions and beliefs as "customer wants." As if everyone who drinks beer does so in the exact same manner, and for the exact same reasons that they do.

 

Correct, but an outsized number of them post all about it here, so they seem more widespread than they are.

 

You are probably right. Im sure some customers out there would rather pay higher prices for the goods they consume.

 

Stopped in to the new taproom today, and I have to say it is gorgeous. Nice big area and big bar too. The pizza was great and I really liked how you can start a tab and put the drafts, pizza (which is across the tap room from the bar) and bottles to go on one tab. I think they will need to add some more indoor stand-up tables/seating/bar rail but they have the room to do so. Also an outdoor area that was not open yet but looks like it will be nice as well.

I know we all hate their pricing and format, and they must be aware, as they have a message on one wall that says their minimum pay for full-time employees is $18 an hour, they pay full health insurance and contribute 5% of pay to retirement regardless of employee contribution. I have no idea their full-time vs. part-time staffing but they clearly want people to know what they are doing with some of the money they make.

As for Dinner, it still tastes great to me and they said they are trying to make enough to have it hand around for at least a couple weeks. It is a week in and they had plenty today.

Anyway, if you are up that way I would definitely recommend a stop in for a couple pours and a pizza.

 

Wow, that’s very impressive and they should flaunt it! Kudos to MBC.

 

Looking for the correct place to post this question, so hopefully this is it. Has Dinner been released recently? Or better yet, how often does it drop at the brewery?

I'm just trying to time my trade requests so I can score a fresh bottle.

Much appreciated.

 

Last release was last Friday, 4/12. Before that it was March 2, which was the first Dinner release of 2019.

I posted this in another thread since a similar question came up there. From what I could find, it looks like it was released 5 or 6 times (that I counted per their Instagram) in 2018 at a case of bottles per person.

 

I've now read through about a page and a half of stuff about the usual pricing complaints that everyone's already heard about MBC...

Without regard to price, has anyone tasted any of the recent couple Black Barn beers and are they worth trying? I'm most curious about the barleywine they told me would be coming down the pipe but for now, what about the IPA and bitter?

 

Heard there’s a PB BA Titus in the works. Can’t wait for that!

 

I'm in the area until Friday but will be driving right past MBC on the way home. Anybody got any idea how long Dinner will last? I'd like to just wait until Friday and grab it on the way home, but if I need to make a special trip today or tomorrow, I'd probably do it.

 

You could always check here to plan your visit. Per MBC from an Instagram post: "We always keep the most up to date list of available bottles on the tasting room section of our website."

 

Thanks for the reply. I realize the available bottles are on the website, but I doubt they update with "running low" before its gone.

I'm just trying to decide if I can wait until Friday or if I need to make a special trip today or tomorrow (I'm 1.5hrs away).

 

Or you could reach out to them if that's the case and see if they'll give you an idea of stock left especially given how far you have to drive.