Natty Greene's Downsizing

Since they're moving back to the taproom/little guy business model, I bet they'll start doing hazy IPAs with on-site releases of 16 oz cans. That's where the "little guys" are really making money these days.

 

Heh. In my opinion, this is total spin. In business terms, downsizing or becoming "smaller" means your bottom line is hurting. Businesses exist to make money. Sounds like they weren't selling via distribution.

 

Agreed. Even in my part of small city SC there are 3 breweries within 5 miles of each other. 1 puts out consistent great beer in every style, 1 is meh, and the other isn't worth it.

Natty G never had a beer worth a toot to distribute anyway.

 

They closed their Raleigh location in 2015 when the new owners of the building they were leasing jacked up the rent considerably.

Despite the fact that it was usually fairly busy, with the high density of brewery growth in that area I'd be surprised if they hung on much longer even without the rent increase.

 

I would have to disagree with that, considering they killed it with their sour offerings the last few years at Saluds sour fest. Particularly 2015 if I remember correctly.

 

Come to think of it, I need to hit up that sour fest. I saw they are having a Cantillon keg....

 

Yeah I need to grab my ticket soon too. The cantillon keg is rose de gambrinus I believe.

 

I was thinking about their sours. I've never tried them, but hear they're decent. They don't distribute those (at least not to the Triangle).[/QUOTE]

I know the wooden kriek made distro, not sure about the others.

 

Natty Greens just today has new sours on the shelf in Charlotte.

 

Their sours are really good. I was skeptical when I had them at Salud Sour fest in 15, because I've never enjoyed any of their other offerings. But Duck Sauce was one of my favorites at the entire festival.

 

I used to like the food there when I lived in Greensboro, but never really cared for their offerings

 

Interesting article. I have enjoyed their downtown Greensboro location and the beers they have on draft. While I don't hate their bottled lineup I really never buy them. Going local will cut down on distro costs and hopefully allow them to focus on better beer.

 

After reading the article, it really hits home. They grew big early in the craft game - but they never kept up with the craft game! They never evolved and got better. Insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results!

 

Makes sense.

The owners were in the bar business before they opened up the Natty Greene's brewpub. The Raleigh location seemed to be doing fine before they pulled out. Their new location in GSO (Kitchen + Market) seems to be doing alright so far. I think it is likely the owners are probably better at running bars and restaurants than production breweries, and that's okay.

Maybe they're on to something by scaling back production and trying to maximize on premise sales through multiple locations. Catawba brewing comes to mind as (apparently) being very successful with modest production and distribution, but several taproom locations to generate revenue.

As someone that lives in GSO, I'm obligated to mention that Natty's does make good beers, but usually in small batches that rarely make it into distribution. Their sours are excellent (if you like dry and really tart). Maybe if they stop trying to brew so much damn Buckshot and Wildflower, they might free up fermenters to make more of the interesting stuff.

 

Never liked Natty. However, they invested heavy in a new spot. Might have something to do with it. Revolutionmillgreensboro.com.
Nice place but very average beer. My opinion.

 

There sours are amazing if you can find them. Everything they brought to Wicked Weed Sour Beer events were top shelf. Problem is, finding them away from their main business area.

 

I've known these guys for decades and they are true regional pioneers. I always find something tasty at any location. The operation at Revolution Mill, with everything else happening there, is also visionary. These are not my favorite beers, but this new location is fantastic and I will support them on-premise and at retail.