Side Project Brewing (2024)

Hopefully they don’t drop box set for year 11 because now I don’t stand a chance

 

Crazy that I still have local friends that have been frequenting SP since the beginning and still aren’t in. Feels like everyone on this page is in now.

 

I was really surprised I got an email today. I wasn't even hovering because I figured the chance was 0. I have friends who have been on the waiting list much longer than me, visit more often because life allows them, and almost certainly spend more than me too. But here I am... All that said, I look forward to sharing (almost) every beer I get with all of my friends. I say almost because Sunday solo of white labels is a thing in my house.

 

Congrats to all the new LC members. It's a great membership. I can only hope my proxy is still able to pickup for me in the years to come.

I believe they randomly choose some people as well. Perhaps someone recommended you to SP as well. I'm pretty certain I was chosen via a lottery 2 years ago as I'd never been to the brewery and had only started buying their stuff directly from SP when they started online sales with proxies due to covid.

 

The way BBT Rye and BBT sold makes me think they're sitting on lots of beer.

I've also been wondering if people using LC to resell are dropping since the secondary market doesn't seem to hold the value it once did (though, I'll caveat that by saying, I don't check it often.)

That alone is what's making me consider joining. I used to be a package stan, but can't say I am any more. If I could pick up the handful of bottles I want to try without paying for a package or being glued to my computer on release day, I'd say it's all worth it. Attending a member's event would be a massive bonus, especially to finally associate faces with names on this forum, and maybe finally try a version of Candles.

 

I didnt get in either. Maybe next year

 

Never thought I’d see the day where folks are merely “considering” joining LC after being invited. I guess everyone’s situation is different though

 

Shrinking bottle sizes with growing prices likely has a lot to do with it.

 

After years on the waiting list, finally got the email

 

Funny enough, the invite came a few hours after discussing how "I haven't been enjoying craft beer as much lately" with one of my few craft beer friends IRL.

In all seriousness, I'll still end up joining and still enjoy it. I'm not disinterested in craft beer, just a lot less willing to trade my weekends to seek it out.

 

the nice thing about LC is there is no obligation to buy anything. so besides the initial entry fee, everything else is at your own discretion.

 

After 6 years and many road trips to Side Project, I finally got the invite email. Thank you SP

 

Do La Coterie members get first crack at events like zwanze?

 

No

 

I revisited MJK b2 on my way home today and really enjoyed the experience a lot more compared to during stout week. It's really well rounded, complex barrel notes (which the amburana dominates), viscous but less viscous than b1, and drinks like Pedro ximenez sherry. Like b1 I thought each sip evolved and gave me more that the last sip did not. While this beer is totally different from b1, I would love to do them side by side as I think they have more similarities than I picked up on before. Then I would like to cuvee 2/3 b1 with 1/3 b2 and see how that is.

I was happy that they also had Anabasis b6 and I had that side by side with MJK b2. I cannot overstate how great Anabasis is. Really one of the best BA American barleywines out there. Hard to pick a favorite between Anabasis & MJK.

Also charcuterie boards now available at the cellar!

 

Zwanze wasn’t ticketed last year, was it? Feel like I’ve read it’s not this year either.
I also drink and forget things.

 

Zwanze was canceled in 2023 because Cantillon wanted to move it to the spring. It was ticketed at SP in 2022 on the same weekend as Brewery Anniversary when that was moved from December to end of September.

 

Last year especially felt like the only real benefit was the ability to purchase the bigger releases sans packages. But even that was tempered by the fact that the membership price more than doubled over the previous year.

I won't be renewing this year but I let them know a couple weeks ago in case it allowed someone else to get an invitation they maybe otherwise wouldn't.

 

I got in finally. Been on the list for years like many. Gives me a reason to make the trip more often now.

 

I feel like they’ll have to have 4/5+ LC parties to fit everybody now (although I’m still surprised people fly in for it) and I definitely think members will start to die of old age before getting to do a silent barrel pick if the goal is still “everybody.”