Summit Brewing Co. Layoffs

Exactly, Summit is slow and behind. Bring out a NEIPA? Same thing slow & behind. Bringing out a NEIPA would only help a micro amount temporary. It's a mind set problem at Summit. Bullheaded and old school in the craft beer world. When was the last time Summit brought a beer that was really innovative?
The market is Confused the man said. Maybe he is the confused one. Oh I could go on and on about Summit. But it's not all peachy creamy so it would really ruffle feathers here.

 

I think the problem is complacency. as many people have pointed out. They've had different lines of beers "unchained" and "union" series specifically that they could've used to make beers that aren't typical of their standard line up but instead they continue to make beers that are too close to their own style imo.

For example they had a couple IPAs or maybe DIPAs in the unchained series but honestly the beers didn't taste much different than their other IPAs. What is the even the point of having this series of beers if you're just making saga 2.0, or summit IPA but with double the hops?

Even the barleywine they brewed and the RIS as part of the union series weren't very exciting, They were good beers but nothing that stands up to other mass produced RIS or barleywines.

All this being said, I think their core beers are awesome and go to the taproom once in a while to have an EPA, horizon, maibock.

Speaking of their taproom, they're also way behind on making their taproom a destination. They should've done this a long time ago but are working on some sort of expansion currently.

Hopefully they dont stick with this "the market is confused" mentality for too long and start to look at their own products.

 

Oh I can see it now. Jump to the not to distant future. Head Line news rocks and shocks The Twin Cities. Summit sells out to InBev
There you have it folks, it could be coming. But there isn't much we can do, You can't help those that are too bullheaded to listen.

 

Summit is in a tough spot. The customer base that embraced the brewery back in 90's & early 2000's probably tend to purchase the standard line-up and some of the less adventurous seasonal's. While I don't buy the "market is confused" talk I do agree the market has changed especially for consumers who have come to the scene more recently. Beers like Rebellion Stout or Dark Infusion can resonate with that newer demographic but so many of the others just won't.

 

I think the problem with Summit is they are too slow to react. They had a winner in Dark Infusion, but didn't brew it the next winter. You have to strike while the irons hot. If customers react positively to one of your releases, continue brewing it. They were set up to use the Unchained series to test new recipes. If one of the beers in the series is popular keep brewing it.

 

Dear Summit, It is now 2018. The 1990's are now the distant past. The Beer world has changed. But you haven't changed enough. 2018 will be a dynamic year in the craft beer world. If you are so dazed and confused, please step aside and get out of the way. It would be nice to see your old school IPA tap handles replaced at the local bars with more up-to-date beers from other breweries. Happy New Year

 

just put citra in everything. i've heard the young folks love it.

 

Citra was so last year (so Summit probably will use it). Everyone loves galaxy now!

 

I think Citra was so at least 2 years ago.

 

All y'all are behind the times. Idaho 7 is where it's at. Also: HazeMeBro.

 

Unfortunately, Summit is discontinuing the Unchained series.

 

From what I read, they are continuing the Unchained series but it will be brewery tap only. Luckily Dark Infusion will be added to their rotation, available on tap and in a variety pack. Bummer though, would have been great to get it in 4-packs.

 

See this thread for their 2018 plans. Sounds to me like they're making some great changes, though I expect it will upset some fans.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...wing-co-reveals-2018-release-calendar.544343/

 

Extending good wishes and empathy for those laid off following this Summit decision. Being laid off during the year end holiday season has to be a tough pill to swallow.
A hope that Summit's announcements for 2018 releases brings about enough sales to open up new employee opportunities.

 

Soooo.... the cool thing is to hate Summit now?

 

Why fanboy a brewery that lays off there employees at Christmas time

 

that's a very impressive tap list at SN. Comparing SN's tap list to Summit's tap list tells the story. It's not fair to compare SN to Summit. SN is bigger and much more aggressive.

 

Led Zeppelin's Dazed and Confused comes to mind...