Stone 2018 Release Calendar

I think we agree on the same point maybe I am just looking at it from the standpoint that those supermarket beers would never exist without the hype from the nerds who put them on the map. So yes sales are now in the hands of the masses but those sales would never have existed without the beer nerd. I just see that as the evolution of a brand. I guess I see it as Stone would not be a house hold name if it was not for those folks who stood in line back in the day making them a must have. We agree I guess I am just looking at the evolution side verse todays sales if that makes sense

 

Yes the classic nerd did help craft get to where it is, but my point is that the larger, older breweries are moving beyond beer nerds. They have to gain much more mass appeal to sustain and grow from where they are. They no longer can afford to care if we want Old Guardian.

 

I can agree with that. Maybe I just was thinking as a whole and roots, etc. But yes, for a Stone to keep the doors open with their payroll and costs yes they need to sell sell sell.
I think we were on the same page I just took a turn down memory lane LOL

 

No. The expansion of alcohol and food culture, in general did. Beer geeks, other than being the first people on the bandwagon, certainly had something to do with that, but were not the primary drivers, IMO.

IPAs, however, are WAY more mainstream than they were even 5 years ago. Nobody that drinks PBR is looking sideways at a person drinking GI or Stone or Lagunitas or Oskar Blues. They might be looking strangely at the people with super cloudy beer in their glass, though, as that's not mainstream (yet).

 

I think it would be more accurate to state: Larger distributing craft breweries have outgrown beer nerds.

I have a differing opinion here. Over the past few years more and more of the craft beer market has been served by ever growing numbers of small, local craft breweries who produce a portfolio of beer brands much more diverse than a brewery like Stone. At 2+ new craft breweries opening every day (and these new breweries are small, local breweries very much unlike Stone Brewing Co.) the selection of beer brands is growing vs. decreasing.

Cheers!

 

Well I think the hazy IPA may have a caveman that held the torch first. The partially frozen Bud Light coming out of my freezer looked like a hazy beer bomb LOL So maybe the NEIPA owes its origin to all those partially frozen big boys we all had back in the day, cheers. LOL maybe AB will send a notice to all that they founded the hazy craze Haha (Sorry just being goofy)

 

Not impressed, looks like more of my money will be going to breweries other than Stone.

 

You will be missed.

 

I was talking freshness awhile back about having 7-8 ipas from the same brand all 45 days or older not being ideal. But stone IPA was about a month old when I checked some dates last Friday. That would place it close or at the freshest level (next to a couple of locals). So for that core stone IPA, I hope an introduction of others doesn't diminish that freshness.

I would love some true industry insight. Im always cart glancing when I go shopping and so many (what I deem as inferior products) being bought up by the truck load by non beer geeks. I know some local breweries have thrown out figures such as 2/3s of what they product is their core lineup ipa. That's not the beer geeks doing by any means. A lot of these places will need to find a balance for both types. Core beer drinkers pay your bills. Beer geeks create the hype for what should be continued growth

@CannedWaggoneer interesting you mention them as a juggernaut and not needing the nerd crowd. I beg to differ. I think it's a very tough balance. What's odd is. It was the regular drinker who liked the various now defunct stone brews. And it's been the geek who has been forcing their hat at 20 new ipas. I still think stone IPA is their breadwinner for the grocery store folks. But they are oddly trying to capture both crowds by assuming they are all ipa drinkers. Diversify plz

 

This is very confusing but in short: the geeks don’t make up a plurality of beer drinkers and yet IPAs represent a plurality of the beer sold. Ergo, geeks are not the ones forcing the limited selection problem. For sure they’re part of it, just not all.

 

Muh fucker say what? W00tstout in 6 packs???!!!!
1. What will be the price point on said 6 packs of W00tstout
2. Where do I sign up?

 

It's a plurality thing. You wouldn't understand. BTW, you look marvelous in tights.

 

Buy the cans. they only can in Escondido.

 

Good lookin out! Thanks!

 

While Founders Imperial Stout is a bummer, you can still get your MI Imperial Stout fix with the classic Bells Expedition Stout!!!!

 

Not a huge stone fan,but xoco is an awesome beer, can't wait for cans.

 

I agree! DB and OG are my favorite Stone beers. It's almost a crime not to brew them. At least the IRS is coming back. That's my third favorite.

 

Unfortunately the classic IRS isn't coming back, it's a different recipe with a new hop bill so hopefully it will be good but who knows.

 

So why is it that even larger breweries like Lagunitas can offer a diverse portfolio of beers, including a limited (yet nationally distributed) line of one-offs for beer geeks, but Stone has to fall back on just IPAs to survive? If this is what it takes to stay indie, well...