I was in LC for two years and gave it up because I’m scaling back drinking. My two cents: 1. It’s very cool that SP added more members and still continues to make some delicious BA options. 2. It’s equally cool that as they scale up on everything, the beers continue to be world class.
Been a member for a few years now and fully know what to expect but this year in particular has been especially underwhelming due to the actual bottles being released. Seems like less malty options and more sours than usual. Couple non-BA bottles and mostly adjuncted options. Definitely feels like they have fully leaned into the pastry world more so than years past and again, more sours than usual. As someone who lives outside of StL and can't enjoy the member perks offered to those who are local, the bottle options alone aren't enough to make this membership worth it anymore. I did not feel this way in past years of the membership and typically thought the beers we were getting were pretty good, that's just not the case with this current member year we are in.
People can keep joining/renewing if they want. But 3 years in a row there were very few beers that were exclusive to LC, no bonus sales on beers that are still sitting in the web store (with some even hitting wine and cheese place unbundled), and trade value for SP is just dead on top of them pushing price points to new levels. Being members in multiple other clubs, SP was by far the worst value of them anymore and an easy decision to drop. The only benefit is the Sunday discount, but honestly that should be an every day discount for the price people pay to be members.
What membership do you prefer? I live in Indiana and had TG last year and all I received from was the ability to drive 7 1/2 hours each way to get KBBS. I joined LC this year and feel like it has more to offer, especially since it’s closer for me. Still too far for the discount to apply.
I know you didn't ask me but I'll chime in anyway. Revolution, Private Press and Floodland are all incredible. I honestly feel like I've solved craft beer by having membership at those 3 only. I get larger format malty beers from PP and small format from Rev. Saison from Floodland. They're all reasonably priced. Then I have a great lager and IPA place locally. I haven't felt the need to trade in years
Madera takes the win for me. 12 guaranteed BA dark beers & pre-access to public BA releases. Based on availability, you can also add on to your membership allocation each release. There are other perks like taproom discount, glassware, social event, etc., but the real value is being able to bring in BA malty beers to both cellar and enjoy throughout the year. Revolution sounds like a win to me too.
Pretty glad I didn’t renew LC for another year. Been on Juicy IPAs and Bourbon big time lately. But how bout that farm club? Lol
I was just trying to decide how I was going to snark on Farm Club, as I don't really see how much of a market is left for SP sours that isn't already being satisfied through other channels. At least they keep trying...
It should reel in those who didn't sign up for LC or don't have a reliable proxy. I think all the LC's are fully aware of the heavy doses of sours they put out in comparison to malty beers. Its a stroke of genius in my opinion. I hope it doesn't further alienate the current LC members, though.
Knowing that they've been downsizing bottles & not putting all stouts/barleywines in barrels anymore, the "one guaranteed" stout/barleywine doesn't hold any weight for me.
If you thought getting one sour with your barrel aged stout was fun just wait until you try 5 sours with your non barrel aged stout. You're gonna love it!
It's one GUARANTEED bottle of stout or barleywine. It could be more than one.....right......right.....RIGHT?!?!?!?
