Singlecut the NYC sleeper for hops and lagers

I've always liked Singlecut, have not had for a while though so will have to revisit. Was burned a few times stopping by the brewery in Queens on the way back from LGA and picking up a fresh case, just for the cans to fall off a cliff no more than 2-3 weeks later.

 

I liked Singlecut but haven't had any of their beers in a while. I got a Heavy Boots Of Lead bottle that was pure soy sauce a few years ago. That and their pricing turned me off of buying their stuff. Has the pricing gotten any more reasonable?

 

I have that same reaction to both Singlecut and Finback. They probably make great beers, but they show up in Mass on warm shelves at $22/4-pack. not a risk I'm willing to take.

 

Yeah their pricing is very much in line with their direct peers (Grimm, Finback, OH, KCBC) now and cheaper in some cases. Their lagers, 18-watt and some other stuff can be had for $13-14 a 4-pack.

 

I think what's made them an afterthought for me has been the price. Like they were doing Equilibrium level pricing before EQ. Pricing in a lot of places was similar to Maine Beer but without that extra 0.9 ounces of room temp hop beverage! I don't know if I experienced the downturn, but I also moved out of their distro footprint for a bit. I'm not dying to seek them out but I'll definitely keep this in mind when at a bar that has Singlecut on draft.

 

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…I’ve been burnt by them too many times, for too high of a price I may add, to go back to them. I did get the Peace in the Valley rustic lager (primarily because it was a collab with Threes) last year and absolutely loved it but I made the exception because of the collab aspect.

 

Used to buy 12 packs of the 16.9 ounce bottles of Bon bon TNT. That beer was so good. As was Mo Shuggie, which was similar but was more Galaxy and Columbus focused.

I haven't been there in years, but will probably hit them this weekend. I definitely remember how great some of their hoppy beers were

Dan went on to open his own brewery in Port Jervis a few years ago called Fox'n'Hare https://www.instagram.com/foxnharebc/

 

just noticed that their Frequency Lager earned a silver medal at GABF 21. definitely going to check this one out. https://www.instagram.com/p/CUK408iFyRI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

Here in MA we sometimes see shelves full of highly reputed beers from NY: Singlecut, Grimm, Finback, Equilibrium, Hudson Valley. But the prices are absolutely outrageous. Why would I pay $25 for a four pack of 4-6 week old IPA that's been stored God knows how when I can get extremely fresh Tree House for less than $4/can?

These NY breweries are going to have to get a little more reasonable on price if they want my business.

 

They grow hops now?

 

It's generally not the breweries, it's your stores and distro. Most Grimm, Finback and HV 4-packs are $18-20 at the breweries or in stores in NY.

EQ, though, handles their own distro and charges just outrageously. Single cans of their DIPAs in stores are $8-9, like kiss my whole ass. Even if they were the best IPAs on the market -- and they sure as damn shit aren't even close -- they wouldn't be worth that.

Edit: @dele

 

Yep, another brewery who’s beers I don’t touch anymore. Too much inconsistency, too expensive.

 

I don't doubt the distributors are getting a big cut, but I find it interesting that it's only the big name New York breweries that fetch these crazy prices. Beers from VT, MA, and ME that seem like they might sit in the same tier are sold for much more reasonable prices, at least at my local shops ($16-18 typically).

 

The beer with reasonable prices from the New England states, the ones that distribute here at least, sell for outrageous prices in our state. Most of your breweries don’t even distribute to NY, so at least you have the option to “splurge” if you wanted to.

 

Probably because most people have a craft beer shop 20 minutes away where they can just pop in and out in 10 minutes, as opposed to spending half a day at Tree House.

Here in NYC the markup at secondary retail shops is always an extra $2-3/can over what's charged at the brewery, just the nature of the distribution/retail game.

 

When I was in NYC last summer, I paid a premium for cans of OH but this was down the street from where I was staying versus shlepping out to Brooklyn which was advantageous similar to what @tinoynk said. All of the places that get deliveries of OH (at least at the time) got recent deliveries and the beer was fairly fresh. I'm fine with paying a premium for fresh hops that saves me the time of actually going to the brewery and getting them. In fact, I prefer it, even if I like going to the brewery.

I think that the problem with stuff sent to MA from NYC or vice versa stems from freshness and storage. Definitely something that makes you question whether the premium prices are worth it too. It also seems like some of these breweries aren't taking as big a cut on their wholesale prices that would result in prices being in line with what they are at the brewery (i.e. we're paying a premium to the brewery prices at retail). I know that there is a "gotta catch em all" culture but what's the line for that? The market is saturated with good hoppy beer options both local and from out of market. Some are priced better than others. Some are fresher. Some are both.

 

Same in PA, although a few bucks less. It's the warm storage and/or no canning dates that is the main deal breaker for me, especially considering they are mostly NEIPAs. Same with the New England beer too.