Side Project Brewing (2025)

The only reason TG stouts aren't traded purely at cost is because TG is in the middle of BFE, and no one wants to go to Iowa. TG isn't easy to access - it's not just far, but fucking far and inconvenient. TG demand has dropped tremendously. If they allowed proxies, it wouldn't have fallen quite so much, but at some point even if they had allowed proxies demand would have still fallen. (Yes, the new membership allows proxies).

The decrease in demand is evident by their need to offer additional bottles at every stout release, and also advent of the membership. If demand (and/or willingness to go to BFE) hadn't fallen, they wouldn't do either of these - it's a response to decreasing interest. Why? Because ain't no one driving 5-14h to go there for a single TG stout anymore. That'd be fucking crazy to spend $300+ going to buy to TG (in the form of gas, food and hotels - never mind your time) to buy a $100 bottle of KBBS when you could buy it secondary for less than your cost to go in person.

 

Generational is very tempting. But I’ve already had Loam so really don’t want it again. If all three stouts were packaged together I’d pull the trigger as fast as my fingers would allow.

 

To jump on the TG hype comparison. I’ve had KBBS 4 times and personally acquired 2 bottles of it myself. It’s a great beer but I have little to no interest in ever tracking it down again. I’ll buy BBT every year it comes out.

 

Same here...I'd be paying $75 for the stout once it's said and done. The other two do not add any value to me.

 

That’s the type a package im sure we can all get behind

 

And I’m the opposite here, BBT was completely just ok to me this year, but I loved KBBS. And honestly I think the Term oils are great too. I’ll fully admit I appreciate the heavy adjuncts that SP seems to lay off of

 

Out of curiosity, has anyone that’s never been invited before in the past to LC gotten invited for the coming year?

 

LC renewals go through March 11. Invites for new members won’t go out until after that.

 

Looks to be 15 DB Generational and more then 24 DB Willett packages left

 

13 and 249 respectively

 

Has SP ever sent an LC email like this before?

 

No, other than a few years ago where they said “no, we’re not doing lotteries for bottles. Stop asking”

 

What year is this?

 

Don't miss this quote from the same email though... "Not all malty beers made by Side Project will fall under the La Coterie umbrella for sales."

 

Yeah, not sure what this email clarifies. Sounds like the same stance they’ve had?

 

No more surprise no limit drops such as With Brad was as those will be announced 36-48 hours before.

 

Although some of the language in that e-mail is positive, all I see them saying is that IF there is already going to be a LC sale, they will make it 1pp first instead of a "No limit, FCFS". That doesn't say they will in any way give LC access to more beers previously not released to LC (e.g. anni beers).

This change is effectively 0. Yea, you could have gotten For brad or the 1 HOTD Collab guaranteed, but none of the Anni bottles still.

So, too little too late as far as I am concerned. They are still telling LC they don't care.

 

Heard they're giving 2025 members bottlez of OWK and MJK instead of sours upon joining

 

An end to surprise sales and more 1pp limits are a good thing for everyone. It's an easy change and infinitely better than doing nothing.

In the end, there are lots of ways they could have tuned the LC experience, many of which would make them less money. I don't blame them for passing on those options.

 

New members only, right? LOL