Bruery RS

Only think I will say: You don't need to max your allocations. You really don't. Get at least two of each, and think hard about maxing out.

Unless you have that kind of dough... if so: ignore my post and buy away

 

Even if you have the dough, you'll eventually realize that many of the beers aren't worth the price, and aren't worth maxing. I'm also pretty far away from the brewery (in the Bay Area) so I was tempted to buy a much as I could before it was no longer available; truth be told I only really liked a handful of the beers.

Next year, I'll be more prepared knowing full well the Bruery's capabilities. My advice is attend the Clusterfork and other RS events - they're awesome, and the beer served is usually really good stuff. Luckly you're only a couple hours away so you can head up there to try stuff more often.

 

That largely depends on why you joined. If you joined so that you'd have easy access to Bruery limited releases without having to stand in line or run to Provisions every time something hits the shelf, it's worth it. I've been a member since the RS was formed, I live in San Diego, and the convenience factor is amazing.

However, if you're looking for super exclusive trade bait, or generally just want to be able to lord your cellar over other people, you may not think it's worthwhile. In spite of the Bruery being quite clear that they're growing and trying to get more and more of their beers on shelves, some people have been disappointed by the number of beers that turned out to not be RS-exclusive. Next year has 11 RS-exclusive beers on the schedule, so perhaps the trade-bait/exclusivity crowd will feel more loved.

If you can make it up to the Bruery for special events, do so. They're not always perfect in terms of logistics, but 1) they genuinely try to improve when they see ways to smooth out the process and 2) the tap lists are usually insane.

There isn't a standard - costs vary from $8 - $40, although most are around $20, and quantities vary from 2 - 12 (or more). Melange #3, you could pretty much by as much as you wanted, while others like Chocolate Rain are highly allocated.

 

Hate to jump in and change the subject, albeit not entirely, but will the RS still be available for membership after the New Year? I have contemplated joining but with the holidays probably would join after the New Year when I'll be able to with a new job and more cash

 

I am pretty certain memberships will close after the 1st. I have heard that they will be offering a quarterly "wineclub" style membership.

As for how to get the most value from the membership: Exclusive beers, and clusterforks.

 

Yeah I saw they were doing a "wine club" style thing next year but some beers aren't available (Chocolate Rain, Grey Monday, an unnamed Blueberry Sour). Guess I gotta try trading for some of this or wait till next year

 

It's worth it. I just wish they offered more special growler fills at the brewery.

 

Some good advice about not maxing out allocations. I did this in the first half of the year out of pure excitement, then quickly found out I was spending too much of my beer budget on one brewery and also that I didn;t enjoy some of the beers enough to have six of them in my cellar. thirdly the amount of space in my cellar dedicated to Bruery stuff was quickly filled and started to encroach on my ability to store other beers.

 

I'm in San Diego too. I was 50/50 on joining because I want the beers that come with the membership, and the ability to buy the other ones was appealing as well. The thing that swayed me away from joining is that I never go to Orange County. Not for any particular reason, I just have no reason to make the drive. By joining, I would be obligating myself to drive up there every so often to pick up beer, and that particular obligation just isn't worth the cost to me. But if my wife was on board for it, I would've joined in a second

 

Pics of the cellar or it didn't happen!

 

As others have said - all about he convenience factor.
Well you might be surprised by the motivation caused by joining - I am an RS member from LA and make the trip down to the OC about 4 times a year - every time I discover something interesting - weather its a side trip to another brewery or to a shop or resturant.
What I actually meant to reply to though was that at the end of last summer we got Legoland passes for the year - a bigger factor was the gift to myself of visiting SD a few times in the next year - has worked out very nice indeed, just made my 3rd trip down. I guess my point is I never could quite justify the taking trips down just for brewery tours but now I've hit up a few spots.
PS my wife is down though (and the kids too)

 

To reply specifically to your OG question - I think SD is in the perfect range for being a member, it far enough that you not going to want to drive up when ever you hear of a beer being available at provisions but close enough that a few trips a year are easy enough to do. I do split mine with some one else (that part of my tasting group) - even thought I joined by myself and we made the arrangement after the fact. If you like the Bruery's beers, I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

Is funny this conversation came up. My wife just said she was looking into the reserve society, and asked me if I though we should join. Of course I jumped on the opportunity, so we joined! We have some friends that are newly getting into craft beer too, and they may join with us, so this should make for some fun road trips