Rusty Nail Release

Roger that.

 

I see quite a few parallels between these types of limited releases and what has become concert tickets. Both have a market where demand outweighs supply and the retail cost of the ticket/beer is quite a bit lower then its actual "market value". For tickets this leads to things like stubhub where seats will cost you thousands. For beer it leads to muling and auctioning bottles for inflated prices.

whats the solution? hell if i know...

 

Not that I disagree with the entirety of your post, but how is the "local who stops into the brewery weekly for a pint" different from "the non-local who stops into QFC weekly for a 6-pack"? They both open their wallets to the brewery, no? Is the person who happens to live near the brewery more 'worthy'?

FWIW, I didn't make the trip this weekend. Standing in line for hours with a 6-year old would be fun for no one. I think that staggered releases would help curb the out-of towner/mule/leech/whatever problem. Personally, if I'm going to make the trip into Seattle from the Peninsula, I'd sure as hell want it to be worth my time.

 

Well, that's just it isn't it? I mean here we have a person who said he got 6 bottles of something and people jumped on him like ants on syrup. I personally think that a person can do what they want with what they bought and that it's their property. But as a collector and a beer enthusiast, I also think that beer should be enjoyed and shared.

 

That's always a cool thing, but then there are places that add an upcharge for new or recent bottles (de garde) so it screws over people who weren't able to make the release. Then there are places like Hair of the Dog who keep them the same price as on release until it hits like a year or more. I think it would be cool if Fremont and other breweries did this, but then again it may cut into the amount people could get at release or lower distro amounts (which may be a contract thing).

 

Well, what I left unsaid, lest my post run too much, is that brewery staff will recognize their everyday regulars, and they know that the regular supports the brewery on a random Tuesday. Or stops in with the family after farmers market on the weekend. Or makes a point of bringing out-of-town visitors to their neighborhood brewery. Staff notices these things. You are totally correct, the guy who grabs a sixer every week at Fred Meyer is just as much a loyal regular, there's just no way to reach that dude, and whisper in his ear; "maybe you should swing by around 7 tomorrow, instead of coming in right after work".

I was looking for ways for breweries to toss a bone to the folks they see all the time. Unless they're following me on Untappd, there is no way for Bale Breaker to know how much F41 I drink. Whereas, if if I were in their taproom 3-4 times a week, they would see how much I spent, and could give me a heads up. I don't know how to reach the "anonymous loyalist", short of setting up a data base that people could scan their receipts into.

 

Im sorry but the out-of-towner stuff needs to be dropped. As someone who made the trip all the way from Portland I don't appreciate my dedication to Fremont being shat on. We had a great time at the event and me and my girlfriend were often commenting to each other throughout the day how much infinitely better this release was than almost any of the other releases we have gone to but now coming on the message boards and reading- it makes it just as pathetic as all the California Beer Bros we hate and despise at the releases down south.

 

Yes, I am all-too-aware...But rather than sit silently while such behavior insidiously spreads throughout our region as well and becomes 'just the way things are,' I feel (as others did) that it's best to say something. If I can change but a single mind, and force someone to pause and consider whether acting in such a way is truly good for the craft beer community, their neighbor, and even, for that matter, themselves, it'll have been worth it.

It's a quixotic mission, I know, but I push on anyway because, at the end of the day, there are consequences to this way of thinking and behaving which extend well beyond the rarefied world of limited beer releases--deep into the one we must all inhabit every day. I'm not terribly keen on living in either if it goes forever unchecked.

 

I propose we name him Rocinante!

 

I agree. Once the "scene" starts to turn into the Collector/Hoarder crowd, I am immediately put off. Feels like im surrounded by beanie baby/Magic the Gathering types and not the normal beer enthusiast crowd. I would rather go and drink average beer with people who have life in perspective vs WHALEZ and be surrounded by collectors that camp out/game the system/pace around nervously/recruit family members that dont give two sh*ts about beer/ chatter incessantly about the beer they are trying to collect. its honestly embarrassing to be surrounded by grown men that act like 12 year olds waiting for the newest Zelda game to drop.

 

I've been mocked by people I casually know at releases in the past for not buying the max limit on beers. Why? I don't need it and I don't trade. Let others have a chance.

The MtG reference is more my speed, but beer is becoming Pokemon with the "gotta catch 'em all" mentality.

 

Suppose you took it a step further and made ALL of the super special/rare stuff available for onsite consumption ONLY. That way you make the brewery itself a destination. Sell a few more beers and some swag in the process. Maybe serve the beer in some special glassware you can take with you.

No bottles. No growlers. All draft. No drastically inflated secondary market. Mules are pretty useless when you can't take it with you.

Sure, this means the traders wouldn't be able to "advocate" by sending this beer to tasting groups on the other side of the country, but you know what? I'm fine with that. You can be a Beer Advocate without trading. Maybe the brewery sends a few kegs over there in the name of giving people a chance to try something they wouldn't otherwise get to sample.

I doubt this will happen. I'm sure the breweries would be reluctant to give up the word of mouth that comes with these releases, to say nothing of the quick infusion of funds that comes from a fast bottle sellout. But I love the idea of diminishing the secondary market.

 

@vurt you say take a step forward in your scenario, I say taking a step backward meets all your expectations. Lose the bottling machine overall. We all know of breweries that use this model. No dilemma. Less drama. And some actually make good beer.

And for me this is not really a big deal. I reiterate, there is a lot of good stuff out there that never hits a bottle. Don't need to stand in line.

 

That model nicely describes the source of some of my favorite IPAs.

 

but then we could not covet the precious in our own homes, post pictures on 8 different social media sites, and then let it sit in a cellar for 5 years. we would actually have to....... drink it ?!?!?!

 

Hey, there's plenty of people who prefer to drink in their own homes (for various reasons). I do a fair amount of it myself, but I do manage to hit breweries somewhat often and pubs less so.

And I post pictures--on a site or two. Because, for a similar reason, I don't get out hiking and backpacking as much as I did pre-fatherhood, my landscapes have been mostly replaced by still-lifes.

I like to drink in many different scenarios. Plenty now, some for later, some for Christmas dinner. Some out and about, some at home with my wife, or at a friend's house, or next to a campfire.

This thread has been all over the place and I'd like to think that we don't have to ostracize everyone in some way.

 

So many words, emotions, philosophizing over a beer that.........has been on tap and available at the brewery for anyone who cares to try it for at least 3 days (4 if still on today?) now.

Tex has once again lived up to his promise to not make a beer rare. It is staring us in the face. Is our desire to possess something so strong that only ownership of a bottle on our shelves will quell it?

Desire leads to more desire and it will never be quenched. If it is simply Rusty Nail you thirst for, roll on up to the brewery and grab a pour. If it is something else, 2, 6, or 12 bottles will not be enough.

 

It was still on tap as of 4pm.

 

You could come with 10 mules and a funnel and get 10 pours of 6oz and one 3oz pour.
It'd be $84, plus tip, though.