Hudson Valley Brewery (2018)

Have you seen the line? How so?

Elementary school kids don't line up for beer 5 hours before a brewery opens. I get the concept of lining up numerically, its just seems like a solution for something that wasnt a problem until the guys who chose to line up unnecessarily decided to complain about it. It seem to encourage this #linelyfe behavior that has really soured lining up for beer. (at least for me)

 

Looking like Multichorus / Subglitch v2:

 

I understand branded brewery merch like glassware, or coasters, even hats. But posters?

 

I'm actually into the posters. If the art is cool I think it's a really good idea. It should be noted it doesn't say Hudson Valley anywhere and just has their logo printed very small at the bottom.

Having said that, this is not something most breweries should try.

 

I’m a big fan of the artist, so I’d love to have one...but $25 is a bit steep considering the size.

 

It solves the problem of douchebags who set a chair and let their 4 buddies show up for that one chair. Tired Hands has a huge problem with this and hasn’t tried to address it.

 

For the Holy Icon release everyone was in line already when they came down the line handing out wristbands. At 11:30, everyone just went back to roughly where they were standing and was like ok I was in front of you and behind you. It wasn't very complicated.

 

That's crazy. I was there last April and the place seemed tight with about 30 people inside. Where is everyone parking.

 

Oh so they’re not numbered? I always thought they were

So wristbands basically mean “this group of people got here early enough that we’re going to guarantee they get beer assuming they return prior to opening, but it’s up to them to memorize their position in the line and reform as such”?

 

Looks like people camped out over night for this release.

That's nuts.

 

I think HVB has reached peak hype, deservedly so but seemingly also by design. Handing out wristbands 4 hours before opening ... 500 people in line 3 hours before opening. Seems like if you are not in line at least 2 hours before open (with at least an hour wait after) you have no shot at cans.

I’m not hating but seriously asking ... should super early lineups be encouraged? When the brewery knows a release is going to be crazy why throw a 1pp bottle on top? (other half used to do this a lot releasing stouts etc. on top of super hyped can releases). Why not release the bottle on one of the many weekends there is not a can release? I’m seriously asking - what is the downside of everybody in line before open gets beer (limits cut accordingly)? Who needs more than a couple of 4 packs that isn’t trading in some way? From the brewery’s standpoint, is encouraging the trade market for your beers worth shutting out people who can’t devote 6 hours to a release? Apparently so. I guess the answer to a lot of these questions is “if you want their beer get crowlers on non release days, otherwise live with it or sit it out” or hopefully make time to make a (supposedly more mellow) Friday release

 

I have a buddy that was going to get in line around 11am. Will he likely be shut out?

 

The wristbands are numbered.

 

Seems like yes, but report back if not.

 

so I'd assume this brewery has the most intense release lines in the country atm out of every brewery? have never heard of people camping overnight and not being able to get anything unless you show up at 8AM on a Saturday. as someone else upthread mentioned, Tree House is a walk in the park comparatively. Equilibrium - in same geographic region and with similar hype - I can walk in day of release around 12:30-1PM and almost always get what I want, unless it's a very hot collab or something. I assume only releasing every 4-6 weeks is a big factor, compared to EQ releasing almost every weekend?

looks like I'll just visit on a non-release day and get some crowlers and stick to EQ for releases. happy to at least get HVB on tap semi-regularly around the area.

 

Other Half gets pretty crazy for the hyped up releases and the line barely moves compared to the likes of Tree House. I'm not sure how Hudson Valley is so far since I've only been there for draft/crowlers, but I'm sure they handle the line a bit better if they're already doing numbered wristbands and letting people go and do something else until they're ready to start selling cans.

The reason for the intense release, besides the releases being sparse, is they're making some of the most unique beer in the country at the moment and I don't see anyone trying to do what they're doing yet (sour IPAs yes, but I don't think any other brewery is blending every IPA). I do sort of expect Grimm to be as bad as Hudson Valley when their space finally opens though. Plus it'll take even more pressure off of the Other Half releases.

 

Fat chance. Grimm cans tend to last for days now and bottles can last for weeks to months at shops.

They'll be busy, but I don't think they'll garner the same excitement as Hudson Valley.

 

I think they last for days because the distribution is so spread out and people don't really want to put in the effort to get 1-4 cans per person at each store. Once they start selling out of the brewery with reasonable limits and not at ridiculous prices (they say their wholesale price point is $4/can with distribution but most shops charge a lot more than this), then I think people show up to the brewery in pretty big crowds. Maybe not as bad as Hudson Valley since they'll probably be doing more frequent releases, but still comparable to the average OH release.

 

Can you elaborate? I'm unfamiliar with this part of their process and intrigued. Thanks.