A HoTD complaint (or three)..

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by RedMedicine, Jul 20, 2012.

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  1. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    Or call it constructive criticism. Deserves its own thread since there are so many gushing HoTD threads.

    My recent experience on a weeknight:

    1) felt like a sauna. No AC at all or just broken? Have never noticed before. Borderline unacceptable for a place serving hot food and high ABV beers.

    2) lack of variation in pricing. I think it's cool I can get 12oz of Adam for $4.50, I don't quite understand why EVERY beer aside from little dog is the same price.

    3) understaffed and surly service. There's zero explanation to me why you would only have one server and one bartender, and have the bartender running food with a totally full house. Unless someone called out sick, but it's not the first time I couldn't get a look.

    Okay, have at me, fanboys :slight_smile:.
     
    #1 RedMedicine, Jul 20, 2012
  2. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The lack of AC at businesses in the PNW doesn't bother me. It's not typically hot here, so I don't fault anyone for not having it.
     
    #2 distantmantra, Jul 20, 2012
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  3. Levitation

    Levitation Initiate (0) Aug 7, 2009 California

    the rest seem kind of reasonable but why would you expect a/c as a standard in portland? for the three days it doesn't rain?
     
    #3 Levitation, Jul 20, 2012
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  4. hopsbreath

    hopsbreath Savant (1,157) Aug 28, 2009 Florida

    Not sure if I understand why this is a problem. That and your facts are wrong. The "from the wood" tap is $8.50.
     
    #4 hopsbreath, Jul 20, 2012
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  5. kscaldef

    kscaldef Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2010 Oregon

    a) I don't understand why this is a complaint. Flat pricing is pretty normal. That said,

    b) When Doggie Claws is on it is $5.50. The 'from the Wood' tap is always $8.50. Sometimes there are vintage beers on tap at other price points. Vintage bottles range from $10 to $75. So... huh?

    I don't know exactly where you were there, but there is a dramatic difference between how busy they are from 5-6:30 (when tons of people show up after work) and any other time. I'm not sure what they would do about that; it's not particularly reasonable to bring on additional staff for just 90 minutes.
     
    #5 kscaldef, Jul 20, 2012
  6. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Why don't we just get it over with and rename this the Hair of the Dog forum?
     
    #6 Orca, Jul 20, 2012
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  7. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    You should try having some other breweries!
     
    #7 stupac2, Jul 20, 2012
  8. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    Wow, thread is totally delivering, thanks guys. :slight_smile:
     
    #8 RedMedicine, Jul 20, 2012
  9. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just for the record.*
    The NW region has 305 breweries and 11,424,615 people.
    The Pacific region has 365 breweries and 39,066,722 people.
    Maybe you should try having more breweries!

    * stats from BA/Google
     
    #9 Orca, Jul 20, 2012
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  10. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    Fair enough. Maybe cost prohibitive for HoTD to better regulate the temp. At the same time, they seem to be moving a bit closer towards restaurant and not just tasting room. I don't want to eat pork chops in the conditions they've had going lately, so I guess I just won't plan to dine there this summer.
     
    #10 RedMedicine, Jul 20, 2012
  11. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    You are right, my mistake. Should have been clearer with my facts.
     
    #11 RedMedicine, Jul 20, 2012
  12. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    Other breweries that charge exactly the same for a 10% draft as they do a 4.5% draft? Again, I like the pricing on the higher ABV beers, more than fair. Just weird.
     
    #12 RedMedicine, Jul 20, 2012
  13. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    BTW, please don't take my responses as permission to stop nitpicking my OP out of your undying, blind love for HoTD! :slight_smile:
     
    #13 RedMedicine, Jul 20, 2012
  14. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    I don't know what to do about that either. Quite a predicament they are in there. But, it's their job it figure it out, not mine. Fact is, the service sucked.
     
    #14 RedMedicine, Jul 20, 2012
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  15. harrymel

    harrymel Initiate (0) Dec 15, 2010 Washington

    I've never been to HOTD.

    To those under the impression that all the PNW is rain 90% of the time, you're incorrect, but that's a PNW secret. Also, rain does not indicate a decrease in temperature. Furthermore, HOTD has to regulate the temp of their beer, if they can't spring for the cost to keep their customers comfortable, I'd walk out (queue the "good, more for me"). That's not to say I wouldn't walk in, buy what I want and walk out the door if allowed. Unfortunately, if this was a persistent issue, I would not patronize an establishment that did not consider the comfort of their clientele. I would consider this a slap in the face and the establishment should be judged accordingly. And to be honest, I'd likely stop buying their beer simply based on their business practice.
     
    #15 harrymel, Jul 20, 2012
  16. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    OK. I'll throw in my two cents, mostly because I think RedMedicine makes some valid points.

    1) The last time I was at the tasting room (back in June), it was a similar warm day and I was absolutely shocked when I went into the tasting room. It had to be over 90 in there, for all that the front was open and they had all the fans going. I remember seeing Wendy helping to wipe the face of a friend (older and very overweight), who was flush from the heat and obviously suffering. In response to Levitation and Distantmantra, I don't give a damn what the temperature is like in December or January in Portland. If HOTD is going to be open year round, then IMHO, the tasting room needs to be able to provide a comfortable environment year round. Other pubs and restaurants in town seem to realize that means AC may be necessary at certain times of the year. That doesn't mean they have to turn it on all the time; just that it needs to be available on those relatively rare occasions when it really is necessary.

    2) Shrug. I hear you (I assumed he was referring to the core beers, not the "from the wood" stuff). The same thought has crossed my mind in the past, especially when one could still find blue dot all over town by the imperial pint for less than what the tasting room was selling it for by the 12 ounce glass. However, it doesn't bother me enough to stop going, especially as increasingly, the tasting room is the only place I can find draft HOTD.

    3) IMHO, this is very rare. I agree there are times when the tasting room is understaffed and waits are long, but that really doesn't seem to happen all that often. I don't recall ever getting surly service. Most of the time Wendy is working the taproom, and she has the patience of Job. She is such a good bartender, that most of the time I'm quite ready to overlook the occassional wait for a beer.

    Shrug. I can't think of too many places that are perfect, so despite some of the valid points the OP makes, I figure I'll keep on visiting. Hopefully it won't be too hot in Portland this week, as I expect I'll be stopping by at least a couple of times during the week.
     
    #16 John_M, Jul 20, 2012
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  17. ramnuts

    ramnuts Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2009 Oregon

    Even if up to 50% of their on-premises customers are upset about the temperature, service, pricing or even the tap room color scheme, I guarantee you that the sidewalk queue will commence before 4:00 am at the next HotD bottle release event. Or sooner.
     
    #17 ramnuts, Jul 20, 2012
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  18. Sarlacc83

    Sarlacc83 Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2008 Oregon

    I enjoy the flat pricing. I usually know how much a tap is going to be, even if it's new.

    I am a bit surprised at the lack of cooling in the tasting room. While I don't find it particularly stuffy in there, I can see how others would. Beyond that, though, it seems like since the brewery should be air-conditioned, they could pipe in some cool air. However, seeing as Portland has been mid 70s and 80s for July, stop being a weather wimp.

    I've never had or seen surly attitudes from any of the people working there. But then again I don't go during peak hours but after work at 3:30.
     
    #18 Sarlacc83, Jul 20, 2012
  19. djbreezy

    djbreezy Maven (1,499) Dec 16, 2008 Washington

    Flat pricing makes sense to me too. If you don't like HOTD, then don't support them or contact them directly with your issues. Forum rants aren't going to make them a better business. They need to hear feedback directly from customers.

    I just feel lucky that I live near Portland and that HOTD graciously opened up a taproom that we have regular access to. Blue Dot and Adam on draft!? Yes!
     
    #19 djbreezy, Jul 20, 2012
  20. sukwonee

    sukwonee Initiate (0) Dec 13, 2011 Washington

    Just go to HotD on a cooler and less busy day like I did in April. It was an awesome experience.

    I think it was Alan's wife that was serving us (super friendly) and food and drinks came out fast and amazing. I miss their beef briskets (yummmm) and Adam from the Wood bottle.
     
    #20 sukwonee, Jul 20, 2012
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