Fonta Flora releases

Friday....maybe.

 

Vibers is already gone. I'd imagine blubade will be gone today.

 

There was 5 cases of blueblabe and 3 bottles of vibers left at open. I got there around 5:30 and it was pretty packed. Most people were there to pick up bottles. There's almost no way these lasted through the night. Both were still on tap.

There were still quite a bit of kvass and freak the clips bottles.

 

Which is crazy, because that Freak the Clips is damn good!

 

What are the odds that the kvass stick around until midday Saturday? With all of the releases this week I may end up running around and trying to scoop up everything that I can.

 

The kvass will probably last a while. I noticed they didn't say "no distro" for that one like they have for every other recent 750, so they must have a lot of it. Which is good because their kvass beers, while not as hyped as the genies, are the best thing they do along with the mixed-culture saisons IMO.

 

A few more details on the anniversary party. I'm a little disappointed this is lining up with the Olde Rabbit's Foot release.

 

I swear the universe hates me. I'm always out of town whenever Fonta Flora has any event.

 

Depending on what part of the state you're in, it could still line up well. For Duck Rabbit obviously not, but definitely for OHB and maybe for Foothills. The last time Fonta Flora did an event the same day as an OHB release (Spectrum maybe? Can't remember which one it was exactly) the timing worked out pretty well. A number of us were planning on going but the after-event bottle share ended up being too entertaining so only a couple did, at least out of my friends. This looks interesting though so I'm going to definitely make an attempt to attend both.

 

I believe you're correct with Spectrum and Rhythm Rug being the same day last year. The big difference is that I believe last year's Rhythm Rug was done on a lottery system. I was lucky enough to have gotten drawn and was able to stop by Fonta Flora and pick up my bottles later without worrying about missing out on bottles. With the way they've been dropping bottles with low allotments and on weekdays lately I haven't been able to get their sours in bottles for what seems like quite a while. I'll definitely be stopping by Fonta Flora after for pours but would love to have some bottles as well.

 

Have they said how they're doing sales yet? I haven't been paying perfect attention, but I hadn't seen anything yet. If they do wrist bands like they've done in the past, I'll probably try to stop in on Friday and pick up a wristband and hopefully get my wife to do so earlier in the week. If they aren't doing wristbands... I love their fruited sours and all but I'm probably not getting in line early. I'll hit up some of my AWAS friends and hope they have some extras

Regardless, trying DDH Double Hop Beard, the 3 rum-barrel imperial stouts, and Rhythm Rug on draft would be a good time.

I swear though after the Sal de Gusano and Turkish Monk souring incident (which was really unfortunately as Sal de Gusano on draft was amazing) they said they weren't going to barrel age clean beers anymore. Glad to see them walk back from that a bit.

 

They didn't say they wouldn't barrel aged clean beers, just that they wouldn't bottle them until the new facility is up and running. We've discussed it in the awas fb group. I loooooved sal too. One of my favorite beers ever.

 

Interesting. That makes sense, but its been long enough now that I couldn't remember the exact original statement. Regardless, glad to see they're messing around with some barrel-aged clean beers again.

 

I'm headed that way from Raleigh, hoping Foothills does an early morning release so I don't have to be in Hickory super early. Either way it is shaping up to be fun day.

 

I'm assuming it'll be somewhat similar to SC/BASC. Lineup whenever (may or may not do a bottle share the night before), doors open at 8am, sales start at 9am. They haven't said, but that's my guess. I think OHB releases are usually 9ish, but I can't remember. Either way, should have plenty of time to pick up some bottles enjoy whatever happens to be going on at the brewery, and then head over to Fonta Flora if you're so inclined.

 

Has FF said whether or not they are doing the wristbands again? Haven's been to a release since last years need a hug/big shrug since they release them all during midweek.

 

Not that I've heard (not that I've paid a ton of attention thus far). Its not unusual for them to wait until a week or two before to let people know what the plan is for a release. I much prefer the wristband method to the waiting in line forever method, but realize any method makes it easier for some people than others so I don't complain (much) over whichever method is chosen.

 

So forgive my "noob" status but I'm really excited about my first trip to Asheville and Fonta Flora and maybe Olde Hickory (given all the traffic I'm seeing about Olde Rabbit's Foot) but can anyone give me any insight into how Fonta Flora does releases. I really want to try and get both bottles Fonta Flora is releasing for the anniversary party. Is it a get in line early thing? Is there an online lottery? I'm not seeing alot on their social media and how these releases go. Any info is greatly appreciated and I'll hopefully see some of y'all there. Cheers!

 

It changes. They will announce it on social if they are doing it a certain way. If not, just bet on lining up - first come first serve.