Oh where art thou Ballast Point?

Too expensive

 

Like a few others have stated, if they would come down to 10.99 or even 11.99 a sixer, I'd be more inclined to be and the product would move. I just don't understand why it's higher than other options....

 

I still like Victory at Sea as a sipper, and at 12.99 for a sixer, that's not bad.

 

To many breweries making great beer. Will always remember having that first Sculpin and will drink one from time to time, just lost interest I guess.

 

Yeah, a few states make it public (IIRC, I've seen data like that from OR and MI - and Oregon's might have been in-state breweries only) and I've seen studies from the FTC of older stats but getting recent figures and all in one place'll typically cost ya - f'r'instance:
BMC's U.S. Beer Guide 2017
- unless you "know a guy" (who'll let you borrow his)...

 

I saw last years’ from a sales rep buddy. So so much useful information. Wish I had $1k lying around and a couple day off to absorb it all.

 

Sucks costs ≥$12.99 a SIX-pack where I live.

 

It was rebranded as an IPA. I was quite underwhelmed by it even at the sub $30 case I paid. Not Undrinkable but quite forgettable and nothing stood out at all.


Enjoy

 

I had a Grapefruit Sculpin last night at a Sushi Bar - it was a choice between that and a Kirin.

 

I was curious about the numbers since the Constellation purchase. Now Ballast Point has multiple skus in Harris-Teeter, Lowes Foods, some Whole Foods, Total Wine, and others, where they weren't before. I see cases stacked up in some demographic locations that are questionable for that price point. I'll check dates at some point, but they do not seem to be selling through very well. They filled up the pipeline, so we'll see how it works out.

 

I don't know that this is factually the case, but I was under the impression that it was their market/brand strategy. Consumers tend to equate price with quality (and yeah, that includes everyone here too, even if we collectively feel like we see through that stuff... and this thread will be filled with voices claiming that it's not worth the price). See below.

But I would think that those in the industry feel like Ballast Point was incredibly successful with their strategy, despite the voices here claiming... (see above).

 

A state by state situation, but Constellation has also been moving Ballast Point distribution rights where they can to their so-called "Gold Network" of Corona/Modelo wholesalers. From what I've seen Corona is usually carried by MC, or sometimes AB, wholesalers - companies that know how to move a lot of beer to a lot of retailers. Probably helps get it into some stores and bars with not a lot of craft emphasis (just as AB's done with their "captured" brands).

Might also explain some of that old stock folks complain about - the old distributors who've lost the brand have no interest in cleaning the shelves and the news ones probably aren't very enthused about it, either. (At least I remember that being common when AB houses first gained and then lost the distribution rights to the Czechvar brand in the US).

 

Good points. But the Ballast Point in the chains that I mentioned above is from after the Constellation acquisition. There have been many distribution changes (as you mention), being very expensive in franchise states. The oldest product left behind is in smaller retailers and independents where many have discontinued many skus. And, retail price points have come down some since aboard with Constellation.

 

Probably so. You'll see a bit of further discussion on these points with @jesskidden. I do know that the former principals at Ballast Point think the entire process was successful.

 

We have plenty in Santa Barbara even at Vons.

 

A Kirin would be a much better choice for sushi.

 

I guess that works in some regions, but certainly not here. I'm close with a few retailers and they say that the only BP that makes any money for them is in kegs, not bottles. (Correlates directly with my experience of only buying an occasional draft pour of their dark and heavy stuff just a few times a year, incidentally...) I did hear a similar story from one retailer as above that their first shipment flew off the shelves, but none of the rest has moved at all. But VT is all about the local, so once people sate their curiosity, they go back to their regular buying habits. There was even a rumor that the bottles were being purchased by reps / hired people to bring up their numbers, but that was never proven.

It's worth noting that many local (equal or higher quality) options are priced more cheaply. And here, most beer buyers tend towards frugality which is why I suspect so many locals price the way they do.

 

While I don't seek BP out, I do have a penchant for Even Keel (and sometimes Mango EK) for those nights when I am going for more than a few. I also have a few good memories with Victory at Sea or Manta Ray, but only in singular form.

 

I walked out of Costco today with a case of Lagunitas Brown Shugga for $28.99. Ballast Point is so far in my rearview mirror that it isn't even funny.

Okay, I did also buy one bomber of peanut butter Victory at Sea at Costco for $6.89. But I'm drinking it right now, and it's not blowing my mind.

 

The price on the sixers is a turn off but I love the unfiltered sculpin on tap. Especially $4 pints at the beach during happy hour.