Sucreversary Recap

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by indian_pale_ale, May 11, 2014.

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  1. indian_pale_ale

    indian_pale_ale Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2013 Utah

    As the crowds disperse and make their trek home, a mixed range of emotions fall upon those who participated in this years Sucreversary celebration. The Bruery hosted party, which is a combination of the highly-anticipated Reserve Society initiation party and the anniversary party, included highlights of rare beer offerings and invites of esteemed guess taps (such as but not limited to Firestone, Lost Abbey, Almanac, Beachwood Brewing, Ballast Point, Modern Times, Pizza Port and nearly 20 additional quality breweries). The two events being combined was a first for the Bruery. And as quoted by Patrick and Matt Rue, was quite a daunting task. "Daunting task" as portrayed by Patrick himself could not be a better reflection of how the events culminated throughout the afternoon.

    Beginning with the host venue itself, the sub par parking situation led to a crowd of vehicles on the adjacent streets. After weaving your way through the congestion, you found yourself in a line - a line unidentified. Normally this would not be an issue but for this year's extravaganza, differentiating the Hoarders from the Reserve Society was critical to your entrance into the party. Wrong line = no admittance or required a plea to the staff on hand to make your way through the guard shack.

    Once within the venue and clear from the segregation that is Hoarders versus the average man, you found yourself in endless lines. One of which included eight offerings from the Bruery. Needless to say, this line was a serpentine itself and went from one end of the venue to the other. On this list of available brews included the ever elusive Confession - a beer so revered by many. The indication that this beer was available to all those in attendance was prevalent on the nicely printed piece of paper that was included with each tasting glass provided to all those in attendance. No indication was made that this was strictly a Hoarders only beer. When questioned by many, the only statement Bruery staff had to offer was "it was a mistake" (a mistake such as the release of Melange #8, Black Tuesday server errors, Rue de Floyd infection issues?).

    To spare you the reading, the below grievances are mentioned in abbreviated form:

    1:45 - Alamanac beers (only specifically mentioned as I walked up to this particular table) were completely tapped. Less than 40% into the duration of the event, I asked for a simple explanation as to why this occurrence? As reiterated by the Almanac staff, "we were given strict instructions on how much beer to bring. This was a call by the Bruery."

    3:15 - The station that housed the 4 Bruery beers on cask was running extremely low on inventory. So low that only one offering was available for the next three in line. The other three casks were tapped 20 minutes ago, less than 60% into the duration of the event.

    Grand Funk Railroad (not the amazing bad) - a highly anticipated tasting. Only available to those so lucky to break into the TWO cases provided by the Bruery. Two cases for an event open to all RS and Hoarders members.

    Beachwood BBQ - the incredible food establish that has also mastered the craft of brewing beer. As per rumors provided by those officiating the event, Beachwood was directed to "hold back" on the amount of food provided to each guest. Per the normal serving size at the fine establishment that Beachwood is, this sample serving was nothing more than something you would receive at a Costco when shopping the aisles.

    Ice Cream - mother f'ing ice cream. Who had some? Who knows because when we were in line at 4PM, they were at the end of their tenure. Nothing to offer to those so parched and famished from the lack of "lunch" that our ultra premium $60 ticket included. Maybe it was the line we were continuously in that kept us from the ice cream mecca.

    Maybe this year's Sucreverary brought light to the fact that beer brewers aren't the best hosts and coordinators? Maybe this highlights the downward spiral that some claim the Bruery has engulfed itself in and maybe they really need to focus on their QA instead of making a bourbon barrel aged quad with loquats mixed with Hottenroth? Whatever the case and as much as I hate to say it as Patrick Rue is such a nice guy, for those so fortunate enough to not attend this year's festivities, consider yourself lucky to have saved the $60.
     
    #1 indian_pale_ale, May 11, 2014
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  2. indian_pale_ale

    indian_pale_ale Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2013 Utah

    Drafted on an Acer computer. Please excuse the typos including "guess taps"
     
    #2 indian_pale_ale, May 11, 2014
  3. Saxmusik45

    Saxmusik45 Initiate (0) Nov 18, 2011 California

    Wow, what a narrative.

    I had a great time. I got to try over 20 different beers and didn't miss out on a lot of things that I wanted to try. You know what though? I'm not super disappointed that I didn't get to miss one or two after being able to enjoy so many. I would agree that the food portions could have been bigger and I wasn't even expecting dessert, so I can't say I give a crap about there being an ice cream truck, let alone finding something to complain about it.
    A little more than 1 oz would have been nice for some of the bigger beers, but some of the pourers were a little free handed and the lines went fast.

    4 stars, had a wonderful time. Would attend again.
     
    #3 Saxmusik45, May 11, 2014
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  4. chodog

    chodog Initiate (0) Dec 31, 2010 California

    i hope that old lady is okay :slight_frown:
     
    #4 chodog, May 11, 2014
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  5. Armatus

    Armatus Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2009 California

    What happened to the old lady?
     
    #5 Armatus, May 11, 2014
  6. Saxmusik45

    Saxmusik45 Initiate (0) Nov 18, 2011 California

    She was being treated by paramedics. It didn't look like they ended up loading her into the ambulance though but I'm not sure. Looked like just a case of dehydration plus booze plus heat plus age. Or a diabetic coma. Just kidding. She was conscious and talking to the paramedics though, so that's a good sign.
     
    #6 Saxmusik45, May 11, 2014
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  7. rgdevera951

    rgdevera951 Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2014 California

    The ticket was ridiculously expensive but the unlimited tap made up for it. I paid $25 for my wife's ticket (Designated Driver) and only got a free lunch... we really thought that the fee would include at least a dessert from Chunk'n Chips and a souvenir glassware... but didn't get any! I was very disappointed!

    On top of that, I think the venue could have been more lively if they had some music playing.
     
    #7 rgdevera951, May 11, 2014
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  8. vacax

    vacax Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2008 California

    Have to mostly disagree, the event was overall very well executed. Having almost all the casks in one line seems like a mistake, but they actually had a person pouring each one individually so it was fine. The guest beers were guest beers and their popularity pretty much determined how quickly they went. Food lines were long but not terrible.

    Really the Chunk N Chip was the only real problem in my book. I shouldn't have to wait in line 30 minutes for an ice cream cookie.

    In regards to Batch 50 GFAR, two cases isn't many but would you rather them not serve it at all? They can't have that many cases left of a beer from 3 years ago. Beers run out at beerfests, that's how they work.

    Having said that, if you're local and want a bottle of GFAR let me know and I'll give you one at cost.
     
    #8 vacax, May 11, 2014
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  9. indian_pale_ale

    indian_pale_ale Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2013 Utah

    @vacax appreciate the input and more so the offer. I am local. Ill message you. Thanks!
     
    #9 indian_pale_ale, May 11, 2014
  10. ZombieJester

    ZombieJester Initiate (0) Jan 26, 2013 California

    I had a great time and was only really irritated at what was actually given to those with a DD ticket. In the event management world, you need to make DD's feel good about paying to do the right thing.

    With that being said, i don't think the Bruery team actually has a special events manager on staff and it's a whole team effort. That is a very tough task when you have to wear so many different hats already and should be given props for putting on a solid event. I think looking into hiring for that position in the future will stop those small things from slipping through the cracks at future events.
     
    #10 ZombieJester, May 11, 2014
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  11. 3SH33TS

    3SH33TS Initiate (0) Dec 21, 2010 California

    In addition to vacax's GFAR offer, I'll buy you some mother f'ing ice cream, bud.
     
    #11 3SH33TS, May 11, 2014
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  12. grze

    grze Maven (1,460) Apr 17, 2012 Virginia
    Trader

    Holy fuck....seriously?

    and then..."ridiculously expensive"? LOL. Any beer fest is >$40 these days and it's not even close to 10% on the quality of the beer brought to this particular party. Sounds like some people just can't appreciate good stuff.
     
    #12 grze, May 11, 2014
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  13. skelliott

    skelliott Zealot (569) Jul 2, 2013 Texas

    tl;dr much?

    there were some long lines that I didn't feel like waiting in, so I missed out on what are probably awesome beers (and an ice cream sandwich), but there was more than enough good beer there to be satisfied.
     
    #13 skelliott, May 11, 2014
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  14. tjensen3618

    tjensen3618 Maven (1,391) Mar 23, 2008 California

    You obviously didnt take advantage of your unlimited pours.
     
    #14 tjensen3618, May 11, 2014
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  15. vacax

    vacax Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2008 California

    Have to agree with that. Someone can feel free to correct me for whatever the going rate is, but I believe the Stone fests are now $50 for 10 tasters and no food at all. For unlimited tastes, quality food and dessert in a nice area with plenty of restrooms/parking this is probably as good as it gets in the beer world of 2014.
     
    #15 vacax, May 11, 2014
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  16. Rocket80

    Rocket80 Initiate (0) Nov 18, 2011 California

    Oh geez are you kidding me OP - yeah the event had hiccups just like any other event. I never got my ice cream or any Rare Barrel beers because the lines were insane and I wasn't willing to wait in them - so be it, big deal - the event otherwise went very well and my friends and I all had a great time. We all got to try everything on our "must try" list and had a blast.

    Anyway, that's my somewhat drunken analysis.
     
    #16 Rocket80, May 11, 2014
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  17. Melman

    Melman Crusader (437) Dec 5, 2013 California

    Maybe I'm a simple person, but I thought this was a great event. Even being a very criticizing person myself--who has assisted in organizing larger events--this event went pretty smoothly.

    I'm not going to argue or address any points you made as those are your respectable opinions, but was there anything at all positive from your experience? Seems like the whole thing was just a horrible mess based solely on reading your post.
     
    #17 Melman, May 11, 2014
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  18. CraftyJoseph

    CraftyJoseph Initiate (0) Apr 24, 2014 California

    event good
     
    #18 CraftyJoseph, May 11, 2014
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  19. Psyko

    Psyko Initiate (0) Jan 6, 2011 California

    Todays task list for the event:

    Try some Rare Barrel Beers (never had) - Tried 2 of the 3 offered - Check
    Try 4 of the 6 Bruery cask beers - Check
    Try ORB - Check
    Try Portuguese Brandy Sucre (gonna hold onto this bottle!) - Check
    Grab some Bottle Logic Leche Mole with Rum oak chips - Check
    Try some FW Lil Opal - Check
    Have a big ass pour of Naughty Sauce - CHECK!
    Visit the Bruery truck and other stations multiple times - Check, check
    Take a break and grab some grub from Beachwood (Got a unexpected pour of Dark Lord while in line - Thanks Matt!) - CHECK!
    Try G.F.A.R. - Out - No check - can't win them all.
    Pay a few visits to Port, Hanger, Modern Times, Monkish, Valiant and Boots - Check
    Hang out with a CRAPLOAD of great people - Check!
    Finish with a ice cream sandwich - Check
    Hit the road by 4:00pm - Check

    In the end 20 something beers down the hatch, good food and great people (new and old friends)

    To Patrick and all of the people that worked the event today.... Great Job - Thanks for the event and PLEASE take the comments of person who started this post as comments from one person only.

    Cheers
     
    #19 Psyko, May 11, 2014
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  20. the_trystero

    the_trystero Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2013 California

    Yep, I wish the guest breweries brought more stuff but my only real complaint is the price of the DD ticket, $10 would have been much more reasonable.

    And as I said in the other thread unlimited, no wait pours after 3:30pm of 2012 Rueuze and Oui Oui were very welcome by me.
     
    #20 the_trystero, May 11, 2014
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