2017 Horizon Society

For those that were members for 2017.... what are your thoughts overall of the membership? Content, sufficient?

Are you renewing?

If not, why not?

 

Overall, I think the beers have been very solid this year. The sours are fantastic (so far) and that is helping sway me to renew but I'm still undecided at this point. If this would have my been my first year as a member and I did not know what to expect I would have been a little annoyed at the 3-4 month gap between Spring - Fall when there were no bottles released or email communications sent but going through essentially the exact same thing last year I kind of expected it. I think what will be the deciding factor for me will be is the 1 less bottle included for 2018 (7 the past 2 years vs. 6 next year) and how does Resolute Day turn out with those bottles. Granted, they are basically replacing that extra bottle with 3 member events (w/ food & drink included), 10% taproom discount and 32oz member only fills. This goes back to what they similarly had a couple years ago and I thought this benefited locals way more than those who live out of town. The value of these things may not balance out since I generally only get to Harrisonburg 2-3 times each year. I would have to plan ahead of time to make sure I can attend the member events to get the full value. If I were local then it would be a great benefit.

Another thing that stinks this year is once again the looooong delay in the member item. 9 months is ridiculous and there was very little communication regarding where we stood in getting it. By the time I am able to pick up my flannel the year will be almost over and I may be wearing it at a former HS member. The other issue with the shipping promise. Out of Bros hands but it was worded as a definite thing happening in 2017 and again, very little communication about where they were at in the process until all efforts had been exhausted and they had no choice but to tell us.

Overall, though, I have not had any issues this year with the beers released and they have been very good. For me, it all comes down to did they deliver on what was promised and would I be able to get my full value, or very close to it, in 2018 for what comes with being a member. Also, there would be a couple more brewery membership options in VA next year with HW Family Tree going into year 2 and that seemed to go well from what I have heard from those who did it this year as well as The Bruery societies being an option for NOVA folks. Would I rather give those a shot instead of HS? I said this last year but I think there should be some additional incentive for existing members to renew. Offer up a 10% discount if members renew by the end of October and not simply have this be a member only renewal period and then public opens up on 11/1. They have never sold out (I don't think) by the 12/31 deadline so what's my incentive to renew now or wait to see how things play out through the end of the year? That 10% savings would basically be the extra bottle we lose next year so would be much easier to swallow than not knowing my status on assuring I can attend member events and take advantage of the taproom discount and fills somewhat regularly.

 

I would love to see a loyalty discount. I'm on the fence since I'm a local and feel like I can try everything on draft even without the membership - a small token of appreciation for current HS members would likely sway me towards renewing.

Edit: I do think the beers have been good. The sours have been the highlight, particularly the Aggregate Species, which I thought was fantastic. The ability to reserve a variant set is also a major perk in my eyes. I'm a little disappointed that they have brewed a couple smoked beers in the last two HS cycles (just not my thing), but hey, only one of those was an included bottle, and it was last year, so I can't really complain!

 

Pre Orders for the 2 bottle Resolute Variant Set (flavors TBD) and HS Exclusive Resolute (Coconut Vanilla) is now open for members.

Gloriosa, Mountain of Gold and Three Chords should be available for pick up beginning Friday (Oct 20th)

 

What's the limits for members?

 

1 variant set and 1 HS exclusive per. Same thing as it was last year.

 

Final 2017 Presale, Deadline Extension, Important Announcement, 2018 HS Details- 12/07

• The last four offerings for the 2017 membership are packaged, and the two sours are being bottled conditioned. All 4 bottles are limited to one per member. The presale starts now and will end on Thursday, December 21 at 16:00 EST.

- Barrel Aged Martel's Hammer: Belgian Dark Strong Ale, 12.2% ABV

- Brettxit: Sour Belgian Strong Ale, 11.6% ABV

- Odd Couple: A Brett Strong Ale with Cherries, 11.6% ABV

- Highway Two: Barrel Aged Strong Ale aged on Cherries, 11.6% ABV
This is a member included bottle, so it does not need to be purchased.

• Deadline: All four of these beers have an intended release date of Friday, December 22. To allow members time to pick up these bottles, we are extending the 2nd half deadline to Wednesday, January 31 at 23:00 EST.
• Big Announcement: You asked for it, so we are putting the remaining Steadfast and Coconut Vanilla Resolute back up for sale. Bottles purchased will need to be picked up by the new January 31 deadline.

Steadfast: We will be selling these bottles online and out of the taproom. Online sales will be restricted to one purchase of up to 5 bottles per member. Taproom sales will be restricted to 5 bottles per member per day. Both will start tomorrow, Friday, December 8 at 16:00 EST and continue until we sell out or January 31st at close.

Coconut Vanilla Resolute: We packaged only enough for one per member, so our remaining inventory is extremely limited. We will only be selling these out of the taproom starting on Saturday, December 16, at 12:00 EST at a limit of 2 per member per day and continue until we sell out or January 31st at close. In addition, we will be tapping one sixtel of Coconut Vanilla Resolute for this release.

• 2018 HS Bottle Purchase in the Taproom: For 2018, members will be able to purchase extra bottles that were not sold during presales from our Cellar Menu for a limited time only as previously announced. These bottles will be offered at their original, online price to just 2018 members (to go only, onsite consumption will be the regular Cellar Menu price). 2017 members that do not renew will not have this perk.
• 2018 Horizon Society: First Bottle, Merch, and 2018 HS exclusive Resolute

As we have announced via Facebook, our 5th Anniversary Celebration will take place on Saturday, January 13. It will feature our 5th Anniversary Mole Stout on tap and in bottles. An oak aged variant will be released for 2018 members only.

Our 2018 merch item is almost solidified. We will be announcing what it is soon with a mock up so that you can see how awesome it is. For now, we will just say that it is handcrafted, unique, and has an intended release day of Daylight Cravings weekend in time for the 1st 2018 Horizon Society event.

Our 2018 Horizon Society exclusive Resolute variant will be aged on local red wine barrels. We anticipate a yield that will allow for more than one bottle per member as has been requested.

Need to schedule a pickup? Head to our website! We will be closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day.

 

Seems like German Chocolate Cake Resolute volcanos are starting to be posted in local groups. From what I have read it's just foaming with no infected taste going on so far.