Side Project (2018)

2pp. No secret releases

 

2 per person. No reentering line, hands were marked upon purchase.

 

did it sell out?

 

Of course it sold out.

Was anybody else there when the almost fight, and subsequent stealing of the fork truck key happened?

I really appreciate the care Cory and the Perennial team put into these release days, but it is getting ridiculous out there. I arrived at 4:23pm, the soonest I could get out of work. I was told by a friend that Cory announced the allotment of 2 and asked people not to go back through (and they marked hands). Yet, when I got in line, the 3 people in front of me were being not so subtle about this being their second time through the line. Not to mention they talked to another guy who had mentioned that he bought another bottle from a guy for $50 right after he got his allotment.

Ok whatever, it's a few people. Then a group of about 5 people got behind me and mentioned changing clothes, trying to not be noticed by Cory the first time through the line, and were being fairly belligerent the entire wait in line. Once we got in the building, these guys proceeded to pass me in line by having what I loosely will call a conversation with the guy in front of me. I didn't want to make a big deal of it, and I saw that there was enough beer, so I didn't say anything. Then Eric and Cory were able to identify 2 of the 6 people as having already purchased bottles and turned them away. The overall experience was capped off with an offer to buy both of my bottles for $100 as I walked out the door to my car.

Like I said, I truly appreciate the care put into both the beer and the release day experience by those involved, but it's time for a change. People showing up and drinking at 9am in a "bottle share" (which included an 18 pack of Bud Ice!) is leading to people being drunk in public and fights just waiting to happen by 4pm. The amount of people that I have never seen at Perennial or another release was overwhelming. I'm not saying that out-of-towners should be excluded, but rather that obvious mules should be excluded.

I have no idea how to address the problems I have mentioned and I apologize for the length of the post. I think the biggest rules people need to observe is moderation and common courtesy. I have had great release day experiences in the past with thoughtful conversation, sharing a beer or two, and making friends; yesterday was not that.

 

Surprise releases seem the best way to go. 5 days notice is just asking for that kind of crowd and lots of mules.

 

I don't think like my opinion should be extremely important for you locals, since I'm very far away, but being a huge fan of SP I would think that a club/membership for locals who frequent the tasting room and are interested in the actual beer is a must at this point. I would of course like to have a shot at it as well, but that's not the point. If people who are genuinely interested in beer have first shot at SP releases, I'm sure it would work well for SP fans from across the country.
The point is that the situation described by you ruins the whole craft beer scene for everyone, especially the good people. I had this conversation with a friend from STL yesterday and I told him that similar situations happen in SoCal all the time and if you (as I am) are tired of the 9am "bottle shares" and certain groups of people acting like idiots, you just have to avoid those events. Of course that is a solution, nobody forces anyone to go and drink/buy beer. The real question is: is that what people like Cory want? To feed what is worst in the industry and brings the worst behaviors out of some people?

 

I agree with some of your thoughts in this post, the biggest thought: moderation needs to be key, however I do want to put another story out there as a counterexample. I guess I want to make this clarification just because I don't want all of us "out-of-towners" to be put in with the likes of the 18 packs of Bud Ice, Clothes Changers, and the not-so-subtle line jumpers. My really good buddy and I drove down to STL at 8am, met up with some good folks, shared some amazing beers (VSB, Chez, and Imperial Raz Bu B.1 were obvious highlights), got our allotment, and went to the cellar to try Derivation B.3. We did think about getting back in line (Cory had no reservations about Pn.3 and SdB) however since he had marked our hands we decided that he must have wanted to enforce a real limit this time on the beer pp. I realize this sounds like an obvious spelling out of "how to act at a beer release" but I just wanted to put this sort of testimony out there so there isn't a perception that all out-of-towners are out to win in some way or something of that accord. I do sympathize with the folks who drive 4 hours for 2 beers, especially when they are a little bit too far gone and start thinking things like "he's making his money isn't he," but it is an important thing to respect the wishes of the brewer and owner. Anywho, hopefully you have a better experience at the next release and if you happen to run into me (my picture is actually my face ) feel free to say "hello" and we can share a beer or something!

Zach

 

I actually love this approach. It's not really just out of towners that were the offending parties, there were plenty of people over-indulging and I'm sure they were from St. Louis as well. I will definitely keep a look out for you to share a beer at the next release!

 

Couldnt agree with you more. Drove from Chicago and arrived around 11. Shared some great beer got my 2 and left. Getting back in line never crossed my mind. There will always be some dbags at a release but only allowing locals in is not the right solution.

Cheers!

 

I agree. Every side project release I've been too has been very nice. People have been great. I've seen multiple people go through lines after changing clothes or "finding new wives" to go through for them. Cory is always so refreshing to talk to and really has a passion for his beers. If the man says 2pp then people should respect that. Those are the people who go through multiple times and go and sell them for $250 on the secondary. That's the problem. I couldn't make it down this time(first one I've missed) but I wouldn't give anyone $250 for a beer and I know how much they paid for it. I love side project but id rather try to keep trying to trade for one

 

Agreed. I know for some releases he has let people go through multiple times with no issue. For this one he made a point to say 2pp no repeats and marked hands. At this point its a dick move to try for more. Just be happy with your allocation.

 

While I've never been to a Side Project release, I did go to Abraxas Day last year. I forget what time, but before noon when the sales started, the people from Perennial went through the line and handed out tickets. 1 ticket for Coffee Abraxas if you were close enough to the front of the line and 1 ticket for your 2 bottle allotment of regular Abraxas. It didn't seem to take very long. I would think doing that for the Side Project releases would help prevent the people going through multiple times. It might also help with the line cutting as once you got your ticket you would be guaranteed an allotment.

 

Also whoever stole there forklift key because they would let you cut inline and kick you out congradulations you are now king of the douches.

 

Agree with this 100%. I drove out from KC at 6am, arrived there by myself, and every single person I interacted with was extremely welcoming and behaved well. I want to thank everyone who participated in bottle shares and made my experience so great. It's unfortunate that a few drunk idiots have to put a damper on these events when the rest of us just want to share awesome beers with awesome folks

 

I kind of forgot they did this last year for Abraxas Day. I liked it a lot. I also enjoyed the Abraxas "private session" they did. Not having to stand in the ticketed line and getting to try some great beers we can't get here was awesome!

 

An SP club sounds like a great idea!

the one thing the brewery doesnt worry about is bottle releases

did they put AdF on tap for the event?

 

No, that is the only thing that makes me sad about those events is that they usually don't have the beer on until the next week or so.

 

I think its bacause they use anoter brewery for brew space. The usually tap kegs at their own bar.

 

Just saw a Kriek du Fermier was announced as well as a beer that is the result of a blend of his best saisons aged in French oak. Much excite.

 

Where is the announcement for the saison? Saw the tweet about the Kriek.