Iowa Rumors?

I was told today that Okoboji Brewing Co. bought Great Rivers stolen canning line. Things that make you go hmnnnnnn..........

 

How does one go about trying to sell something like that....a trench coat with a canning line sewn into the coat, classified ads, Ebay?!?!?

 

Afaik, Okoboji is currently being brewed and canned at Great River. Although, I know the owner is/has been looking to build a brewhouse.

 

I don't know the facts, (hence the rumors thread), but the person who told me is extremely reputable, and would have some insight on this.

 

I thought they had their own brewery now. I might have an empty can somewhere, I'll see what it says.

 

Can says:

"Brewed and Canned by
Okoboji Brewing Company, LLC
3705 Highway 71
Spirit Lake, IA 51360"

 

Lager isn't a style.

Bocks

Dopplebock

Eisbock

Helles

Maibock

Marzen

Those are styles of lagers...among many others.

Just sayin'

 

So then what the hell is a lager, a genre? The only craft "lagers" I've had would be lager of the lakes, oarsman, jinxproof, and now dorothys. None of them that I can think of further classified themselves on the bottle as being anything other than a lager. Taste is subjective, I haven't cared for any of em.

edit: oarsman is an ale, oops...still didn't stick out as memorable

 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/101/terms (scroll down)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lager

 

Thanks for the info. Never took the time to read that list and doing so was certainly worthwhile! I still don't see how I am in the wrong for saying I, generally, haven't liked any lagers I have come across. It would seem to me, as with ales or stouts, there are substyles within a obviously more spanning style that pertains to how the beer is fermented and conditioned. I guess it seems similar to genus/species if you want to get biological about it. I admittedly don't know too much about the brewing process (trying to learn more each day!), so perhaps that is where the misunderstanding comes in.

 

He is right folks...we have dropped prices when we moved from a 1/2 bbl system to a 10 bbl system, we will do the same as we grow.

When we get to 100,000 bbls a year, versus our current 1400, we will be able to fit into the budget of all, and all we will work to please.

Thank you for your support of VERY SMALL artisan craft IOWA BEER. If the price is too high for you don't buy it and bitch, just don't buy it.

 

I wish TG concentrated more on being an IOWA BEER company. Something maybe more like Surly or New Glarus who work hard to take care of everyone in their state before branching out to other states (NG is Wisconsin only of course). I understand all companies want to grow, expand, and spread their delicious libations as far as they can, but it would be nice to know that you could pick up a bottle of Sue in any store/bar in Iowa instead of the select few TG picks out in Iowa and other states. Just my opinion of course. As far as beer coming out of Iowa, I really haven't had too many better than TG.

 

You should write and submit a business model.

 

You gotta remember, Iowa is a very limited state when it comes to population. My buddy is trying to open a brewery in North Dakota and I'm working to be a brewer for him. Minnesota is a state we'd want to branch out to right away because it borders us and has a large population. Same for Toppling Goliath. Madison is a HUGE drinking area. Business wise, what they're doing is a very good idea. If it makes you mad, so be it. You have to have a smart business plan in accordance with good beer to succeed in a business like this

 

No, I understand completely. Perhaps I should have been more specific. I really don't think that its reasonable nor is it smart to attempt to get into every market in Iowa before branching out. I do, however, think it would be nice to see TG's availability rise in the major markets in Iowa (DM, CR, Waterloo...). I'm not mad by any means. I would just like better Iowa beer available in Iowa.

 

I thought this was a thread about Iowa rumors but apparently it's all Toppling Goliath. I am from Iowa and though I don't live there anymore I often travel back. I've been lucky to try a few their beers and man are they good. I even had a bottle of Naughty Temple and it was delightful. I think they are a brewery that is going to do no wrong. Be careful what you wish for though. If they get big and easier to find, it's not always for the best. To me it's almost better when stuff is limited because although you can't always get it, it's super fresh when you do. This applies to TG especially because they do so many IPA's. I could go for a Golden Nugget right about now...

 

I think you are massively overestimating the size of Minnesota. Minnesota is the 21st most populous state in the US. Iowa is the 30th. Its not a drastic difference.

Outside of the Twin Cities, there aren't that many highly populated metros throughout Minnesota. Yes, the Twin Cities is a good deal bigger than Iowa's largest metro (Des Moines). But outside of the Twin Cities, it gets pretty light and dispersed. More so than in Iowa, actually.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ng/220px-Minnesota_population_map_cropped.png
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ulation_map.png/350px-Iowa_population_map.png

I think this could also be illustrated by the fact that Iowa has more major (Division 1) universities than Minnesota.

All I'm saying is, it definitely makes sense to expand into Minneapolis. But outside of there, and Rochester since it is so close, Iowa definitely has several good sized markets for them to tap throughout the state.

 

We should have doom tomorrow, 2 cases total. Wish it was more but what can you do. No clue on retail pricing.

 

Yeah but when are you going to get TG bottles in?

 

When they bring them. Might have to grab all of those for myself though