Regarding Limited Release/Rare Beer Events

The people who had a "bad" time are still going to try to go and still going to try to get bottles.

 

if the event is too crowded for you, don't go to it. if the beer is too hard to get, get another one.

the craft beer world is really (really, no lie) so vibrant, creative, and large that if you can't get beer X, there exists some beer Y that you'll like just as much. you just need to get over the reputation-chasing and grass-is-greener stuff.

if your favorite bar / brewery / brewpub is running events in a way you don't like, complain, then vote with your dollar.

 

This.

The craft community is growing, becoming more popular, and...dare I say...going more mainstream. There is nothing any of us can do about it. But that also means more breweries, beers, and choices. Like almost everything in this world time changes it. So although its fun to wax nostalgia about "the good old days" when loons sat of shelves we have to evolve with the community or run the risk of being left behind. That's just how it is.

 

Yeah, the same with a football game. People have more fun when they get what they want whether it be a team victory or a bottle of beer. I would say MOST people are willing to try again.

 

The mindset of the attendees dictates the success of the event in my opinion. After every release we hear about lines being too long and moving to slow, yet the same people complaining tend to go to a majority of these events anyway. You know what you're getting into when you go to a release and if you aren't prepared for potential frustration and disappointment, you should probably just stay home.

At 4 elf yesterday, they moved the line much faster than last year and kept it well regulated to deter line jumping. This is what we asked for after last year's debacle. In my opinion, they took last years criticism to heart and made changes that improved the event. It still wasn't good enough or fast enough for those that showed up later in the day.

Collectively, we create the demand and hype for the beers being released through trading, raving about them, sharing them, and so on. We create the perfect storm of bullshit and then blame it on the brewery for being ill prepared. How are they supposed to know how many people to expect? They do the best they can but it is never good enough for the impatient gotta have it now me first fuck you type of people.

We created this monster and only we can kill it.

With all that said, I always have a great time at events and releases doing what you are supposed to be there to do - meet new people, hang out with friends/family, try new beers, etc. It's all what you make it, some of us just choose to make it a clusterfuck and get all butthurt from having to stand in line all day.

 

A few things since i have been to a couple of releases...

"While the occasional camping or waiting in line can prove to be quite enjoyable (bottle sharing, meeting new people, etc.), I would assume that most (particularly those with jobs, families, etc.) will react negatively when this becomes the norm."

People with families and jobs can still go stand in line the night before and have a good time.
Just because they would rather spend a day at a release than on the golf course does not mean they are doing anything different.

I am going to Jackie Os Friday night for a Saturday release to ensure I get an allotment after a 7 hour drive.
I have a family and a good job, but I want to make sure I get there early as to not get shut out.

"For brewery events, this could be ticketed events becoming the standard, or some type of randomized raffle. Almost everyone has a shot at getting to a computer, and those who miss out would at least be able to stomach they had just as good of a chance as others"

I am not sure why anyone would want to pay to get a ticket ahead of time or take a chance to get a ticket pulled at a release to see what you could buy to keep everyone getting a shot.

The people that are bitching are the ones who show up too late. The fair shot is there for everyone, those who do not want to get there at midnight made a choice and paid for it. If they really wanted the beer they would have done what they needed to do knowing the state of BA.

I really do not think that a release should have it's allotments cut either to accommodate those who do not get up early.

In another thread someone mentioned checking IDs to see if people were locals to allow rare beer sales to regular patrons. How is this not the sense of entitlement everyone talks about all the time here?

If you live there, you have a much better chance of being able to make it early to get in line if you want to than anyone else. I'm sorry some locals do not want to do that... Is that because they feel entitled as a patron?

People that drive in from far away and get there early must really want the beer. Seems like a fair shot to me.

 

Olde Rabbit's Foot was done to perfection this year. They gave out numbered wrist band, and called your number to come pick up your beer in the back. In the meantime, they let everyone open and share whatever they had. it was rather fun.

 

Question about the Dark Horse 4 Elf Party: If you had #190, did you have to wait in a physical line or could you wait until they were assisting #175 (for example) and then get in line?

Not trying to start a debate, just curious about the process.

 

You could wait until #175 and then get in line. Meanwhile, in the 4+ hours it took for them to get to #175, you could enjoy some taps, get some food, go take a nap in your car, etc.

I'd like to see events be ticketed, but that's because I didn't really like standing in line for 4.5 hours after standing in line for 2 hours to get my token.

 

I personally prefer a ticketed experience, but I have also met some pretty nice people waiting in lines. I think it makes sense to let people line up, until things get out of hand. For example, Founders now realizes KBS needs to be ticketed and I would imagine the 4-Elf party is at that point as well (I've also heard Dark Lord day was a mess, but I didn't go). I do agree that everyone nowadays pretty much has access to a computer. Let people purchase tickets (if the event is large enough for it), and let people show up for much shorter lines.

 

Going to ticketed events is really the best idea. Then they know in advance how many people are going to show and can plan and set expectations accordingly.

 

I think people need to chill out and enjoy the experience. I see these people all the time in these lines, standing alone, rigid, arms crossed starring at the front of the line, checking their watch, and bitching about the way the release is run. Its supposed to be fun, relax. These people want to hurry up and get there beer and then run home and hide it under their bed to never see the light of day again. Its not a race, it beer, it's not supposed to be competitive.
sorry about the rant.... I think that ticketed releases are the best, no lines, you get a number or a time to show up and when your time/number is up you get your beer.

 

Move to a different state

 

I really like the way that The Bruery does their Black Tuesday release, you buy it online and get to pick it up at the tasting room at your convenience over the course of a month. Yes, the release events are fun as you get to meet people, socialize, share and congregate, but there really is something to be said about spending a few short minutes online and being able to pick up the beer at your own schedule.

 

Good points all. Well, for me firstly, even though I a social kinda of fellow I will pass on these events. For the last couple of years my main numberone interest is in Italian craft and this will be where I stay. So it is very easy for me to by pass these events because they are not in my main interests.

As mentioned by C2H5, there WILL be people who will fight for this beer in the most greedy of ways, and this makes me hesitant to even try to attend an event, even if I was asked to go. I do not like or tolerate such behavior and seeing it would cause me to take action. In no way am I saying that it is right to want everyone to act civil, but it would be nice.

This is beer, and the enjoyment my buddy and I get from going to the store and getting something we enjoy is what we look forward to. It is more then enough to be happy with. The community aspect will be one I have to humbly turn down for the moment. Maybe I am being picky or assuming too much, but do any of you know someone like me who is an Italian death metaller who loves beer? Well, we are not generally accepted in many areas of social standing, but I could and probably am wrong. I just have given it a chance.

 

I like the camaraderie of beer events and I love beer but I'm not so committed to a single beer that I feel like I need to wait in line for hours or try to arrange trades online and hope I don't get stiffed. There's so much new beer out there to try (and brew) if I can't get beer X -- and there is a lot we don't get in the DFW area -- I will find something else new to try or find more of what I like. When my wife or I travel somewhere we try to bring some beers back. I probably miss out on some super rare stuff that I could track down and I know I miss a lot of stuff that isn't distributed here but I am not so greedy that I feel like I must have it all.

 

This is a great topic and kudos to the OP for a good issue and a well stated presentation. Unlike a lot of these threads, it seems to me like everyone's suggestions and comments are bona fide. Showing, of course, that there really is no answer. Market place will control as others have already suggested, just like every other commodity be it Google stock, an iPad or the latest game.

I'm forced to miss many events as a married, professional businessman with kids (albeit adult kids) and with responsibilities that sometimes can't be shirked. However, many of my very kind younger friends with a bit more time and flexibility options frequently buy me a bottle or share their acquisitions. It works for me, at least on some level, and despite the fact that I'd love to attend every event, release and tasting I could.

I've come to realize that those with more time can simply do some of the things I can't. So be it. For me it's become a matter of reality and perspective. Just like I've come to grips with the fact that I will likely never be thin and I know that I'll never have hair again, I've come to accept the fact that I can't try/taste/have everything. Such is life - and in more than just the beer world.

So, for me the solution is facing reality and realistic expectations, having good friends and going to ticketed events where I can find the time and get the tix on-line in advance.