Hill Farmstead Bottle releases

They don't have fridge space to store the bottles.

 

Actually I think they are growing concerned about locals waiting on long lines and upset when people travel long distances only to leave somewhat empty handed. And the idea of such a limited reserve plan is a way to satisfy this demand without having to increase production. I think the collected works was an idea along these lines, but unfortunately once the reality of having to store all of those bottles all spring/summer was figured in, it had to be limited to only 50 lucky people or their trustees.

Trust me, the collected works is the ideal scenario, I would love to be selected and I hope they continue to offer it. But if they can not continue to expand the membership, maybe 1 bottle each for 500 people would be better than 10 bottles each for 50 people.

As for storage/fridge space I obviously have no idea what they can handle. But at 1 bottle per member per year with a 4 week max pick up window after release, I am guessing you are looking at maybe max 50 bottles being "stored" (sold out and waiting for pickup by members) at any given time. Anyway, just dreaming out loud.

 

but would that stop people from showing up? say I get my 1 bottle reserved, would I not go up for a different release? or would I not be allowed to keep going up if I didn't have a VT ID?

 

How about deli tickets or selection cards? You'd still have to wait your turn, but at least you could be a bit more comfortable about it. I've never been up there for a bottle release though, so there may be something I'm missing.

 

I think for now the real problem is that Hill Farmstead just isn't big enough to put their beers, particularly barrel aged or special release beers, into the hands of every person who wants one. As long as a handful of people get shut out (which is inevitable), people will be all over here, facebook, and twitter complaining about how it's totally unfair. I think moving forward, all they need is a consistent system, that way when people complain they can just come back and say "Look this is how we do it, sorry and better luck next time." If someone is so put off by their business practices that they won't buy the beer, it's only helping to solve the problem.

 

I actually think thats a pretty sweet idea. They could also get a better sense of how many people were actually looking to buy specific beers so they could set the bottle limits with more than a general headcount, plus it'd be less stressful knowing where you stand. I always find at limited releases I somehow end up wayyy farther back in the line than I start out.

 

yeah, I think there are 2 major problems right now... first is space... not for the customers so much though. I have never had an issue at a release as far as waiting or whatnot. The problem is more that they can't brew comfortably while also having a mob of people there.

the second issue is the consumers never stop complaining.... so what if you strike out on a beer

I will again stress that I enjoy my trips up there even if it's more than 6 hours away

 

What time do you think people will start getting in line for the Sunday May 26th release? I know it is the day after their anniversary party where people will be camping out, but I was just curious since I am thinking of trying to make it up there for the Sunday bottle release.

 

People start getting up and packing up starting around 7am so I'm going to say early.

 

Let me check my hypothetical rule book. No you could buy whatever you want whenever you wanted when you were there. But in addition, you would be able to reserve 1 bottle per year total for a release that might have otherwise sold out before you could make it there.

 

I don't mean to poke holes in your plan but this just proves that it won't stop people from showing up... so it does nothing for brew days or for the locals etc...

 

It was not intended to stop people from showing up, only to give people the chance to reserve a bottle once a year.

People are always going to go there and line up for releases and that is not a bad thing. Most of the people who are able to do that sound like they usually get what they went for and enjoy there time there. This is more for people that can not make it up for a certain release immediately or like myself have to plan a trip months in advance and would love to have one limited release reserved for them.

 

got you... but like any solution, someone gets "less"... I have nothing against the idea or the original Collected Works as I really wanted in on that, but every one of these plans has some sort of backlash so it really doesn't help HF much

 

Does anyone know if bottles of Everett will be available again soon? I thought I remembered reading they'd be available at the Anniversary Party...but I can't find where I read that.

Also, has anyone tried the new Grassroutes saison Brother Soigne yet? That thing sounds crazy delicious. Anytime they brew something that combines saison-citrus, I'm in heaven.

(I know I could email them to ask about Everett...but I don't want to be email #381 today asking them when X will be released...)

 

I believe Everett is still on tap now. I bought a couple of growlers Wednesday. I don't know about bottles. I really liked the Brother Soigne...tons of citrus and other fruits (green apple to me), very tart. As it warmed the lime became more pronounced, maybe even a little overpowering. I thought it was similar to Convivial Suarez, which I really liked. They are both perfect for a hot day...like today.

 

I can ask when I go next week. Anyone know if there is a bottle limit on the Brother Soigne? I would like to grab a couple because I too love their saisons with citrus.

 

They said no limit Wednesday.

 

I could drink it all day with no complaints, tasty stuff.

 

no limit on Brother Soigne, at least within reason (like, they might not let you buy 10 cases of it.. or they might. I dunno). Grabbing a couple bottles won't be a problem. The grassroots beers are done in the same sized batches as the regular saisons usually, so there's likely ~2k bottles of this one.

 

Solution: one bottle limit on every release. Who cares if you drove all the way from CA. You will drink your one bottle and love it or you will trade it and end up disappointed. Win win.