Plan Bee - The Hive 2016

I'm close enough that I don't have to stop anywhere to pick up my bottles, but if you ARE taking a trip up Peekskill is a no-brainer. There are also a few other brewpubs and breweries up in this general area that are worth a stop if you have the time and the inclination.

The only farmers market they are in for now is Cold Spring, which is probably an hour north of NYC (depending on where you are), but still 45 minutes closer than their farm.

 

Anyone going to the Comb release Saturday?

 

Won't be at the release but I saw Emily's email this afternoon about the first few beers to kick off 2016:

Barlett - Our Bartlett pear, barrel-aged sour
Quince - A quince sour blend with Brewery at Bacchus in New Paltz which we are adding extra quince to and barrel aging.
Celebration Sour Ale - Brewed with our wild orchards apples and crab apples.
Barn Beer - Rustic farmhouse ale, the table beer of the barn.
Sugar Beet Sour Ale
Foraged Rose Hips and Rose Pedal Sour Farmhouse Ale

*All of these beers will see oak at some point in their fermentation, either from our Hudson Valley white oak open fermentor or our 500L puncheons.

 

Just got in on this, looking forward to it!

 

Did you guys check out Emily's email? What are y'alls thoughts? I'm kind of leaning towards The Swarm now. As much as I fear getting shut out via an online portal, I like that we have the ability to choose which beers we want as opposed to a predetermined allotment.

 

Can you give the full details or cut-and-paste the email? Thanks.

 

For me, a lot of it depends on how many beers they brew a month. I decided to stay in the Hive so if they brew 5-6 a month, I'm happy. Basically, I intended to buy 1 of everything either way so I would be spending way more money by buying individually in the Swarm rather than getting the discounted bottles in the Hive. Plus you get access to the online bottle shop as well as some exclusive brews, glassware, event tickets and possibly the magnum bottles. Should be a great year for them. Looking forward to it.

 

ahhh im conflicted but think im sticking with the hive. also LOVE the NYC dropoff! email below...

Thank you to everyone for your responses! Evan and I have taken your suggestions and incorporated them into a new membership level - The Swarm. I will not charge any cards until January 15th for the Hive. If you decide you would like to leave the Hive to join the Swarm, please let me know before midnight on January 14th.


Below are the terms outlined for The Swarm and The Hive for comparison. If you have any questions or concerns let me know!


Join the Swarm

Terms:

· $25 one-time, nonrefundable membership fee*

· Must be 21 or older

· You can join at any time, starting 1/1/16 until 5/1/16

· All bottles must be picked up no later than 6/30/16

· No guaranteed bottles. Once bottles become available you will need to purchase your bottles through the store. Once they are sold out, they are gone (email notification will be sent when bottles are released)

Benefits:

· Exclusive access to online bottle shop until 5/30/16

· Bottles will be held for pick up (no shipping)

· Pick up available either at our farm in Poughkeepsie or at drop off location in NYC once a month

· No minimum bottle purchase required


Join the Hive

Terms:

· $50 one-time, nonrefundable membership fee

· Must be 21 or older

· Can only join in the month of January, after 1/31/16 no additional members.

· All bottles must be picked up no later than 6/30/16

· Prepay for bottles monthly or at the start of 6 month membership

Benefits:

· Guaranteed 6 or 12 bottles a month

· Flat rate of $15 per bottle, regardless of style

· If you pay up front for all beer, you receive a discount of 50% off one month

· Access to at least 3 exclusive brews that will not be available in the bottle shop

· Exclusive access to online bottle shop until 5/30/16 to purchase extra bottles if desired

· Free exclusive Hive teku glassware (1 per person). Additional glasses can be purchased but only by the Hive members.

· First access to Plan Bee event tickets (once barn is operational) and merchandise

· Evan wants to try to do a special release of Magnums and we would only offer this opportunity to the Hive. We are having trouble securing the bottles so its not a guarantee but Evan is really excited and determined, so he wanted to make sure I mentioned it!

· Bottles will be held for pick up (no shipping)

· Pick up available either at our farm in Poughkeepsie or at drop off location in NYC once a month

*If you have already paid the $50 membership for the Hive, you will be refunded $25 on January 15th


We want to thank you all for your support! Without you guys, we wouldn't be able to move forward with renovating the barn and expanding our production. Most of you know, we started out on a 1 bbl system with only the funds in our piggy bank. We appreciate the opportunity you have given us and cannot express how grateful we feel. The membership is a living organism, much like our bee hives, and we will always listen to your feedback and adapt. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we are growing, we are so happy that you are coming with us on this journey!


Much love,

Emily & Evan

 

i've been interested in this all along but it was never an option for me until that NYC dropoff was mentioned. just sent in a signup request!

 

Any idea where the dropoff point in NYC is?

 

I agree the flexibility is great, and it's awesome they're able to offer this for customers. That said, I'm also going to stick with the Hive. It's more of a commitment, but the rewards seem worth it to me.

Looking forward to hearing where the NYC drop off will be!

 

Great idea. The 6 and 12 option was just too much for me each month. I'll be joining the Swarm

 

Ditto. Not shocked by the flexibility they've shown. Evan and Emily are awesome in that way!

 

I agree with those of you sticking with the Hive -- I'm doing the same -- I buy at least one of everything they brew anyway, and don't want to miss out on anything (including magnums and tekus). Also, for those of you who live further north, I believe they will also offer the Cold Spring farmers market (when they are there) as a pickup location option.

 

Share the same, I'm sticking with the hive as well.

 

Yeah the swarm is such a great option. So happy they offered that, just cant afford the 6 bottles per month commitment. Plus NYC pickups? Hell yes

 

joined the swarm too - or at least applied - did anyone get a conformation email?

now to sit and hope its a convenient NYC pick up spot.

 

Emily has to go through and do them all one by one, so it may take a couple days.

 

Didn't Evan and Emily go down to the Union Square farmers market sometime last year? I would guess that might be the location -- I don't think they would be making a special trip just to deliver.