Just wanted to throw this brewery in the mix of new CT places. It has very quietly opened in Branford, and will be opened to the public this saturday. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the brewers while at Mikro this week, where they had DuVig's cream ale (only beer available so far, although there was mention of a brown ale coming soon). I highly enjoyed it, and appreciate another brewery that is not just throwing down IPA after IPA after IPA. Being in such a concentrated area, they certainly need to carve out something of a niche to be viable. I wish them the best of luck, and hope to have more of their brews in the future because the cream ale went down real nice.
Had a berlinerweisse yesterday - awesome. As was their brown ale. Been very impressed with these guys.
I've been impressed with their offerings, their brewery is a few buildings away from where I work. Their beer is true to form for the style and quite good although the 3 main offerings Brown Ale, Cream Ale, & Pale Ale. are not my favorite styles of beer. Don't take that wrong, the beer is fine just not my style, I'm more into India Pale Ale, Belgian Ales and the stronger flavors and alcohol. Recently at my birthday party my son in law broke out a growler filled with Berliner Weisse, as I went to pour my first glass I was warned that it was quite sour and I should approach it carefully. Sorry boys but when I taste the glass is full.... Sweet Mother Of Jesus that hit the spot in that warm summer day! I kept going back until that growler was a dead soldier! You'll have to excuse me because I'm an amateur when it comes to reviews of beers I just drink the stuff, But Duvig's Berliner Weisse could probably be described as what a Grapefruit Shandy would taste like... I love it!
Had my first DuVig yesterday at Knucklehead's in Wallingford. The cream ale was not overly impressive, but admittedly it is also not my style. I wish them well and look forward to trying their other products.
I'm from Branford, I'll have to check it out next time I return home. I use to frequent Thimble Island Brewery, can't believe there is competition in such a tiny town.
Stopped in soon after they first opened. Slightly above average, most notably the cream ale in my opinion. Didn't get to try the Berliner or hefe yet, but they just posted that they are now going to charge for tastings? Lame. Immediate turn off. I'll taste better beer for free elsewhere instead (like nebco).
Agree that it's lame. There's a great vibe at Nebco because they let you sample. If DuVig feels like they're being taken advantage of, there are ways to limit excessive sampling. ROI for free sampling has to be positive.
Stubborn Beauty felt they were being taken advantage of, so they charge for samples now but refund you the money if you get a growler filled. That's an option.
Most breweries in the state and neighboring states charge for samples. The days of unlimited free sampling are almost gone.
Different animals. SB's space is set up for socialization (ie drinking tables, evening hours). They expect greater consumption from visitors than, say, a NEBco. With NEBco, it's mostly about picking up the beer. They don't want to be a brewpub And, really, how much beer is SB going to lose by offering free samples, or at least being liberal w/ paid samples? They're only open 6hrs a week.
The point of brewery sampling to me is trial. With the rising craft prices, I don't want to pay $10 for 2 beers (aka 32oz growler) I've never tried and then have to <figuratively> pour it out. For cheapskates like me, this is increasingly going to be an issue I was up in southern Maine this summer, and hit a small brewery in York area. Never heard of them before. They charged $5 for 2 samples. I figured I might as well fill my growler for $10, if I'm going to have to pay $5 at minimum. And, of course, the beer ended up sucking. If I was able to try all 5 of their beers, I might have found one I liked. Instead, they lost my business to Smuttynose (20min away) Ironically, I figure the breweries who're confident in their beers should have less issue w/ free sampling. They know visitors will buy as well as try. It's the inconsistent brewers who end up charging for every ounce headed out of brewery
Hey Pat, in our case this is exactly why we refund the $3 we charge for samples if you fill a growler. To your point, that is/was precisely the problem - we are only open 6 hours a week...our beer is on the stronger side and we have always given a solid 4-5oz pour of each. You'd be surprised the amount of folks who would want to hang out the entire 3 or so hours we are open on Fri/Sat and "just sample". In our case, it was still a tough decision - but we feel that what we came up with is more than fair.
All of this. It comes down to money, quality, and more than anything, growing competition. I love supporting local breweries and trying new stuff. I love getting local growlers. But a local brewery who is going to force-charge me $5 for 4 5oz samples, 3 of which i've already had and don't want, is going to lose my business to the guy next door NOT doing that. In this case, Duvig is ~ 2 mi from Thimble Island brewery, which makes slightly better quality beer and does not charge. Why would I ever go to Duvig? I'll swing by Thimble Island, try a 2oz sample of a new brew, and maybe 1-2 stand bys, and pick up a growler of something. While ignoring Duvig. More over, if I've had the core offering, what is the incentive to go back unless you have a constantly rotating line-up? With only 4 beers total to offer, this just doesn't make economic sense to the educated consumer. I'd even be happier spending my $5 towards a 6 pack of Lagunitas at the local packy instead. With such a rapidly growing craft beer market right now, winners and losers will be determined not just by quality beer, but by quality business plans and marketing.
Do I have your math correct? You are unwilling to pay $5 for four 5 oz. samples, which amounts to 20 oz. of beer. (or, $3 at Stubborn Beauty, and is free if you buy a growler). Oh I get you may have had some of them previously. But do you get that there are - new phenomenon - people who now go to breweries for the sole reason of getting free stuff and getting drunk? That the craft beer "revolution" has made more people aware of beer in general? That they and their buddies realize: Holy shit! We can drink for free! $5. Five dollars. Absolutely no problem with breweries charging for samples. Every brewery: please do it.
Exactly correct on the math and the greater point. $5 is not a lot, but it's not $0 either. Personally, I'm less likely to go back to a place as a return customer if I have to pay to taste beer from a minimal selection. A brewery that has 10, or even 6, beers that rotate a bit, sure. Charge me money to taste. I love the refund if you buy a growler. Seals the deal as a customer from the satisfaction end. But a brewery that has been open for a few months with no established reputation and a tap list of 3-4 beers? That's just silly. If others are happy to keep handing them money, good for them. I just can't see this as a lasting strategy to create a lasting presence.
I hear you. And I understand, sort of. But it seems you are looking at it solely (ONLY) how it affects your pocketbook. Can you look at it from the business's side? Because: 1) you didn't at all address the growing problem of people who just want to drink for free and aren't really into beer, and 2) Please list for me any other business that provides free samples.
Wow, all this commotion over our little brewery, we feel very honored even if we are lame. First off thanks to everyone who has supported us and continues to support us. Second if anyone would like to come to the brewery to sample a single beer, we still offer 2oz samples for free.
