Bear Republic pulling out of TX

I've gotten to where I buy mainly local IPAs. I did, however, buy some fresh Hoptimum today. Mmmmmmm it was delish too

 

Welp, see ya later.

 

Honestly, I have to agree here.

Distributors order way too much product, let it rot in a warehouse, finally get it to retail shelves when it's 2-3 months (or more) old.

This is why we will start to see breweries pull out of TX. I think the "Drought" is just an excuse, but one I don't blame them for. I haven't heard about them pulling distro for other states.

As per normal, distributors (not all, but quite a few) ruin out of market hoppy offerings in Texas. Buy less and rush to the shelf and you would sell out faster than you could imagine.

I remember how psyched I was to get Firestone Walker. Continuous flow of Double Jack! Well, that's dead. I can't deal with 4 month old product.

 

TX is not the only state Bear Republic has pulled out of recently. They pulled out of MA earlier this year as well.

I agree that national distribution of hoppy beer styles makes less and less sense in a crowded market. Months old out of state IPA is not appealing vs fresh local ones (assuming you have good local ones which TX does). Hop Rod Rye is an awesome beer though.

 

From the blog post about pulling out of MA:

Well, if water restrictions are preventing you from expanding, and your demand is rising, something has to give. It sounds like they've decided to pull back and keep the product in places where it's demand is highest until they can get access to more water, which would enable them to expand production...

 

I had seen article not too long ago about them funding a well. That would suck to pay for the water production but not be granted an allocation of it.

 

Hmmm...I wonder if I should go grab a couple of the 10/21/13 Racer X's on the local Spec's shelf while I can.

 

Smell you later forever.

 

I've heard the RAcer X Barley Wine is to die for...

 

It's sometimes hard to continue north past Santa Rosa. Now we'll have a better reason to treck on up to Healdsburg. To visit an old friend.

 

Agreed. I enjoyed my visit to their brewery, can't wait to visit it again

 

Yesterday Hill Country Galleria Whole Foods still had some Racer.
(Sw suburbs of Austin )