Notch Brewing (2023)

Something is missing: Bayerische Anstich…Would like Chris to entertain gravity more often, as Notch is the only (stateside) venue that nears truism per authenticity (i.e. conditioning via pitch lined barrels + a krausend Stichfaß). Granted, this is on occasion, as not all faß's are conditioned via resin

 

The process (in and of itself) is a taxing venture: the procedure is costly…an accepted loss that nears truism/authenticity (e.g. Ungespundet)

 

This is it.

 

Interesting. Todd told me Tributary also contracted out their Oktoberfest for canning and draft. It’s out now.

Todd also brewed his own version onsite to be released at or around theirs Oktoberfest in Kittery. It will be slightly different.

 

Free’s up space, and allows them to explore other areas: couple new lagers/ales on the way -

Cellar Beer:

 

Salem line to get in is large and at capacity

 

It was a lot of fun but very busy and crowded. Their old parking lot tent setup was certainly more spread out. I guess due to not serving food options they couldn’t get the tent. Overall we had fun but it was a little hot if you couldn’t find shade. The Festbier was absolutely fantastic. Seemed to be a line all day so a bit of a wait when you showed up. The separate jockey box of Festbier only was a key no line addition.

 

Agreed. The beer, food and weather were perfect, but it was the most congested event there that I’ve been to.

Also, just to get clarification, the Festbier they sold canned at Salem was the same batch as distro or seperate?

 

I believe the Festbier off premise was contract brewed and canned.

Tributary did the same thing. We had the contracted Oktoberfest draft in town. Then tried the beer Todd brewed and saved for draft/cans at the brewery today. To me his brewery beer was much better. We talked to him about why they did it a few weeks ago.

 

Re: Festbier – this was/is contracted in 2022 and 2023…“scaling those up at contract breweries; and the chance to better promote the Notch brand, so that people who enjoyed the experience and the beers would look for them in bars and shops…”

Irrespective, the Märzen is not contracted: this has been/is conditioning onsite

 

Did Notch brew a Marzen separate from the Bavarian Festbier I had at their Oktoberfest? Did not see it that day. Or assuming your post means it will be released soon?

 

Yes. Not available that day. See last sentence, “still conditioning.” It’s been in the tanks since early August.

 

Expect an early November release for that Marzen. Maybe late October, though Chris might avoid releasing it during the Salem Halloween crowds.

 

That would be more than ideal ha! But if it’s October we’ve learned over many years to arrive before 9. Get in line for food anywhere 30 min before open and be at notch for open. We also usually do a family trip every year of about 20-25 of us including our cousins who live in town. As long as I showed up early to lunch before they open (usually beer works) they always made a spot for all of us and would get a great tip and thank you’s. 20 minutes into them being open could be a 1-2 hour wait to eat. Salem is unreal. Never had too much of a problem with Notch at open. I always felt for folks and families who show up a few hours later and can’t get a parking spot, let alone drive through town. I get it if you’ve never gone that month before.

Once we’ve eaten and had our Notch fix the people watching walking around town after is next level

 

That makes sense. I think most of the family folks that inundate Salem during the day don’t dare go to the city on Halloween itself. The crowd goes bananas at night though. We’re probably going to try that sometime now for the hell of it. Also the T drops you off right at Odd Meter coffee, my favorite around there

 

The city of Salem told people not to come starting around mid-October because the crowds were overwhelming the city. And the message was heard, but too well. I remember Chris posting pictures to IG of empty streets as the month progressed.