The Bruery (2025)

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by ernh, Jan 4, 2025.

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  1. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,341) Jun 10, 2012 California

    Last night I opened a regular Melange-a-Quad. It was super Madeira forward. I've had three bottles so far - this one, one last January, and one when it was fresh in early 2024. All three were super different - far more than I would expect one of these beers to evolve over such a relatively short time.

    Anyone else experience this? None were bad, just very different flavor profiles. Except I think if the one last night had been my first I wouldn't have bought more of them just out of preference.
     
    #261 ernh, Oct 20, 2025
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  2. B_Horne

    B_Horne Devotee (317) Jun 12, 2014 California

    I purchase the Stacks Reserve Black Tuesday Collection along with the Sweet on Tuesday 4 pack. Clicked on shipping and the selected the correct address. I got an email confirmation of the purchase and assumed I would get a shipping notification soon after. I never got one and noticed that the beers were sitting in my cellar. I look back at the email I received and it says add to cellar even though I selected the address. Maybe I missed something?
    I emailed society@bruery over a week ago and I haven't heard anything yet. Any suggestions would be appreciated as I would prefer to avoid paying the shipping costs.

    Thanks
     
    #262 B_Horne, Oct 21, 2025
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  3. B_Horne

    B_Horne Devotee (317) Jun 12, 2014 California

    And less than an hour after the above post I just got a shipping email. Not sure if related to that post or the email but issue solved. I just rejoined after a few years off and I only seem to remember positive interactions with support and staff.
    edit- and an email from Jake who saw this post. That was quick!
     
    #263 B_Horne, Oct 22, 2025
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  4. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,341) Jun 10, 2012 California

    I had this happen in the past. The UI sometimes defaults to cellar even though it asks for an address. And like you, they jumped on making it right once they saw my question.
    Now I know to double check the setting each time. Extra split second, no biggie. But yeah, confusing and frustrating when you're not expecting it!
     
    #264 ernh, Oct 22, 2025
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  5. Yellowlt4

    Yellowlt4 Crusader (428) Sep 21, 2016 Texas

    Opened a 2021 Black Tuesday Grand Reserve last night. It was really smooth, had nuances of caramel apple and dark chocolate. It was dry with maybe a slight hint of oxidation. Really enjoyed this one.
     
    #265 Yellowlt4, Oct 23, 2025
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  6. DrunkTrol

    DrunkTrol Crusader (485) Nov 8, 2020 Maryland

    I actually believe it always defaults to cellar. I made this mistake twice before learning to always change it to shipping. Jake has always been super fast and helpful to rectify.
     
    #266 DrunkTrol, Oct 23, 2025
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  7. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,341) Jun 10, 2012 California

    Opened my first Coffee Is Life and had the same reaction.

    For me the coffee detracts but doesn't ruin it. I get the sense the base is pretty great. Really smooth, nice creamy body. Not overly sweet. Bourbon character is really good. Would be happy if this was the base they planned to do more with next year.
     
    #267 ernh, Oct 27, 2025
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  8. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,341) Jun 10, 2012 California

    Opened a 2016 BT. It is surprisingly hot at nine years old! Still enjoying it very much even though overall I've never felt this was a strong vintage year.
     
    #268 ernh, Oct 30, 2025
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  9. LAFreeway

    LAFreeway Zealot (669) Aug 2, 2023 California

    I picked up a 2025 BT at Whole Foods yesterday, I think it was $25.99, which is about $ 4.00 more than what it goes for on the Bruery website. that’s kind of interesting to me, I’ve never seen beer cheaper at the actual brewery, usually they do not want to undercut their retailers so they charge a full “list” price at the source. It sounds like the Bruery doesn’t care much about distribution these days, so I guess that kinda makes sense.
     
    #269 LAFreeway, Oct 30, 2025
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  10. LAFreeway

    LAFreeway Zealot (669) Aug 2, 2023 California

    Have you ever had a BT that wasn’t hot? I last had it when it was new well over a decade ago and I’m curious what you with more experience think about aging versus fresh.
     
    #270 LAFreeway, Oct 30, 2025
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  11. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,341) Jun 10, 2012 California

    I am drawing a distinction between hot and just warm/boozy. They're always boozy :grin:

    Often I've found BT hot when it comes out, and once it's got a year or two on it it mellows.
    There have definitely been a number of variants over the past few years that are notable in how mellow they already are at release. I forget which, I'd have to search through notes...
     
    #271 ernh, Oct 30, 2025
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  12. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,341) Jun 10, 2012 California

    Yeah saw it in Oakland today too. No price tag.

    Agree that Whole Foods is always a buck or two cheaper on four packs of local breweries. I think you're right that they want to charge higher at the brewery to justify the price they charge the retailer. But I reckon they'd rather sell in bulk to the retailer, so a win win either way.

    I think you're right that Bruery model is just way different. And BT at retail is almost more a novelty than a moneymaker.
     
    #272 ernh, Oct 30, 2025
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  13. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,341) Jun 10, 2012 California

    Midnight Autumn Maple

    It's enjoyable for sure, the price is just outrageous.

    I like it more than I recall the original Midnight Autumn Maple. Based on my 2017 notes I think that one was more stouty and this one dials the roastiness back to traditional Belgian territory for a dark ale. The yeast character in this new batch is great.

    Way better than Fabled Fate (to my taste). It would actually feel right at home in their 12 Days series.

    And to be clear, it's got nothing on the original regular Autumn Maple.
     
    #273 ernh, Oct 31, 2025
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  14. Yellowlt4

    Yellowlt4 Crusader (428) Sep 21, 2016 Texas

    I opened a Black Tuesday Party Favor tonight. It appears to be from 2023 and it's drinking very nicely. This is one of the best Black Tuesday's I've had. The vanilla and maple are subtle in typical Bruery fashion but they are very much still there. I'd love to see this one remade in the future.
     
    #274 Yellowlt4, Nov 1, 2025
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  15. Yellowlt4

    Yellowlt4 Crusader (428) Sep 21, 2016 Texas

    I'm disappointed in the Christmas box, I was hoping to see some barrel aged versions this year. I am excited for the cuvee and Stave & Spice.
     
    #275 Yellowlt4, Nov 2, 2025
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  16. DrunkTrol

    DrunkTrol Crusader (485) Nov 8, 2020 Maryland

    Literally same.
     
    #276 DrunkTrol, Nov 3, 2025
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  17. DrunkTrol

    DrunkTrol Crusader (485) Nov 8, 2020 Maryland

    Experience from recent shipping:

    I have a cellar full of 375 mls (26) and 2 750 mls.

    The first 17 bottles I included in the shipment were 375 mls. The shipping price per bottle went down each time I added one. I expected to potentially see some type of change when I went to 13 bottles (adding a second box??) but there was not noticeable effect. 13 bottles was cheaper per bottle than 12 bottles.

    At 18 I added the first 750 ml. The price per bottle did increase at this point but only by a very small amount (3 cents per bottle).

    The optimized shipment for me was 20 375 mls and 2 750 mls. Once I added a 23rd bottle the shipment price doubled. My theory is that 24 375mls would have been fine but that each 750 is essentially taking up 2 375 ml bottle slots.
     
    #277 DrunkTrol, Nov 3, 2025
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  18. Hoppedelic

    Hoppedelic Savant (1,065) Dec 6, 2010 California
    Trader

    Makes sense, the new boxes they use hold 24 375’s so 20 375’s plus 2 750’s would fit perfectly in 1 box.
     
    #278 Hoppedelic, Nov 3, 2025
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  19. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,341) Jun 10, 2012 California

    Chere Mardi

    This is really nice. Top 30% of their wine hybrids to my preference.

    Good body and not too thin. Very figgy. Not really tart or astringent.

    I think I'm burned out on the wine hybrids overall, but it's fun to try.
     
    #279 ernh, Nov 4, 2025
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  20. Yellowlt4

    Yellowlt4 Crusader (428) Sep 21, 2016 Texas

    I'm drinking one right now and I have to agree. This vintage is quiet tasty.
     
    #280 Yellowlt4, Nov 4, 2025
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