Tired Hands

dogfish doesn't use clear growlers anymore

 

No I do not need constnant guidance from authority. But I do understand that when someone has put it all on the line to open a artisinal brewery and produce a great product they might not want their beer toted around in a growler from another company. Why would they want their beer in a growler advertising for Stone or whatever it may be. I totally respect that and understand why they would do that. If you do not you must not understand what it takes to dedicate your life and all your money to start a company.

Bottom line is if you dont like it don't go. They obviously feel strongly in this matter. Strongly enough that they are turning down business. I respect that and do not hold it against them at all.

If I opened up a business that makes donuts I wouldnt go out and buy Dunkin Donuts boxes and put them in for my customers.

 

I believe they do it to adhere to the PA rules regarding growlers fills. For this reason, there are many Breweries who don't fill growlers from other Breweries. Some will fill unmarked growlers and place a label on it that you can later remove.

 

PA law states one brewery can't fill a growler with another's logo or other information on it.

And PS, I've found the folks at TH, from Jean on down, to be uniformly friendly and welcoming. I can respect whatever they're trying to do regarding growlers and whatever else; they want the beer to be presented at its freshest and best tasting for both the consumer to enjoy and to put their work into its best light.That being said if you do go get a growler fill there I strongly urge you to get it purged. Jean filled for me, purged with CO2 and left ZERO room in there and the beer was perfect when I opened it nearly a week later; when I went back and let someone else fill the growler without watching, assuming they'd follow the same procedure, the results weren't nearly as good.

 

Just curious, who are the better options nearby? Because I've been pretty impressed with what TH is doing. I'm not challenging you or disagreeing with you on this; I honestly want to know because I'm in the area about once a month and I'd LOVE to go to another brewpub/brewery that's working on this level (or higher). I've enjoyed Forest and Main and want to get back there again soon. So far Round Guys has been a bit hit or miss for me. And I haven't had a chance to get to Neshaminy yet.

 

Well I didn't dedicate ALL my money toward it but I have pretty much dedicated my life to my business, though I take breaks sometimes to engage in captivating online discussions such as this one. Bottom line, the growler rule falls right in with the whole MO of that place. Aren't growler fills like $15-20 also? I remember the Delicado growlers were $20+.

 

Victory by a huge margin [ducks], maybe Dock Street, and of course just drinking at home, whether by myself or with friends. I don't go out a whole lot so when I do I usually just stick with what I really like.

 

This is true for breweries such as Weyerbacher, East End, etc..., but places that also hold a brewpub license such as Tired Hands can legally fill any growler regardless of it's logo.

 

Victory/Tired Hands is not even close to a fair comparison. A huge mega-beer producer with a kitchen operation bigger than most full service restaurants vs a small artisanal brewer with a with a tiny kitchen (if you want to call it that), that focus is on small plates with all local incredients.... Apples and oranges

 

I'm not comparing them, the dude asked where I prefer to go over Tired Hands. I could have said I prefer going to the freakin circus, it doesn't mean I'm comparing the two.

 

"freakin circus" aka "beer advocate forums" lol

 

Looks like I'm going to go. Should be fun.

 

Steve's a pretty good guy. Have known him since he worked at Whole Foods. Has always treated me well as a semi-regular customer there and always spend a few minutes talking to him when I'm at TH. The clear growler thing, eh, I can see their point not wanting to fill it, but eh, should be up to the customer.

Growler wise, I've had Sly Fox growlers filled there two or three times now. I asked specifically, to both Jean and Colin "do you mind filling this even though it's not yours" and they both said something along the lines of "well, our choices are to either sell our beer and keep people happy, or not sell our beer. We'd rather sell our beer, we dont' care if you didn't buy the glass from us"

 

This is what we're talking about btw:
http://www.tiredhands.com/2012/09/all-hallows-eve-beer-supper.html

 

I've "known" Steve since he worked at the Devon WF as well. As far as I can see, he's been an asset to both places. When he was at the Devon WF...their beermenus.com page was...unreal. It was constantly up to date and listed damn near everything in the store. That can't be said now...nor can it be said of the Plymouth Meeting WF out my way. Hell...everyone at TH has treated me exceedingly well. In fact, I don't recall any establishment I've ever frequented...making me feel as welcome or at home as I do when I walk through the door of that place.

 

Their page is as up to date now as it's always been. They've never updated it everyday with every bottle in inventory. I'm not sure many places that have the staff to do that. The WF Devon store has always been a great store and I have not seen a lapse in service or quality.

That said, the staff at TH has also been pretty good.

 

This is a huge false equivalency.

 

Oh...I'm not at ALL saying there's been a lapse in service OR quality. Nor did I say they updated it everyday with every bottle in inventory. Let's not put words in my mouth, ok? Simply saying...I recall the listings being a bit more extensive. *shrug* Regardless...really not a thread for such a conversation.

 

Okay turns out it was already sold out. Oh well.

 

I like Victory quite a bit, and stop in whenever I have a chance, but they're so different I didn't even think of them. They certainly make a lot of great lagers and the Ranch IPA series has been stellar. I really like Dock Street too but I don't think their beer is close to as good as Tired Hands', seems a bit more hit or miss, in my experience.