Notch Brewing (2022)

How was Salem Oktoberfest? Loooove that event. But two years in a row the Sunday event was a no go for us. Which sucks since we love to support the other businesses while there. God damn I want my odd meter cold brew now!

I imagine it was fantastic, albeit super warm today! Brighton was fun but man was it crowded. Today would’ve been far and beyond the hottest Oktoberfest celebration I’ve attended if we had.

I imagine @MattOC was in attendance to both?

Prosit!

 

Been there, but now the 6 year old tends to have sports so it kind of just always is what it is.

 

I swung by Salem today. It was hot but the breeze was great. Great vibe overall. Food, music, beer was incredible. Rauchweisse was the standout.

 

Brighton Fest was packed but chill overall. Spent probably 5+ hours there, which included a stop at Super Bien to split a bottle of wine and eat some empanadas. Love having Notch Provisions open now too. Great event, looking forward to drinking some more Festbier!

 

Agreed on all of this. That rauch weisse was tremendous. I'll add that service is always top notch. If there is a line it moves quickly. Well staffed, friendly and helpful servers.

 

This is somewhat of an off topic comment, but, and I’ve only been once, but, does their staff have an amazing ability to meld and seamlessly change positions like some sort of ballet?

 

I took the comment as the service is so good and seamless it's like a ballet. These days it can be hard to find but at well run breweries or restaurants good service can be that smooth.

 

The McDonald’s fast food ballet reference, I believe. Organized, quick and practiced

 

Top what?

 

Top who?

 

Chris recently had a discussion with AAB, which dives into this - High expectations for the staff, given the reputation of “making really good lager” = “server is as important as the brewer,” in order to make sure there is a solid connection to the customer…regardless if that customer can grasp all concepts (e.g. wet foam)

• ‎All About Beer: AAB 004 - The Taproom Experience on Apple Podcasts

 

It’s by far the best run taproom I’ve been to, particularly after years of visiting smaller breweries where there’s like two people selling drafts, cans, crowlers, tasters, etc with big lines behind them. Even Tree House can move at a glacial pace. Notch just flows and it’s great.

 

Agreed.

Absolutely no trouble getting a beer last weekend during their Oktoberfest, and the place was just about as packed as I've ever seen.

 

No more Festbier on tap in Brighton?

 

It kicked a week ago already. I wanted to taste it again but didn't expect it was gone so quickly.

 

If I remember right, last year it was also gone for a week or so and came back. Guessing that’s not the case this time with how much went to distro, but one can hope….