Toppling Goliath distribution questions?

I can help a little with this. I visited the brewery this weekend and tasted all the beer available (9 types and all excellent). Before I left, I asked if they had any bottles since there was a sign that said they had had bottles available. They said they were out so I asked if there was any place in town where I could grab a couple. They did not think there was any around town as best as I could tell. Bottom line, they are doing well and can get sell everything they make. TG is available all over Decorah on tap but a bottle is hard to come by.

 

When bottles are available, yes, Des Moines would currently be the closet place from CB that will have bottles. To answer the second part of your question, yes, bottles will only last a few hours once they hit shelves.

As for expansion, they recently installed their new 30bbl brewhouse and will be brewing on it soon. I would assume bottles will be more frequent in the not too distant future, but not sure how further they will expand for the time being.

 

It would be cool if a distributor picked them up making it easier to get stuff across the state...that would also make it easier for them to reach their goal of entering Minnesota. I wonder when this will happen...

 

They currently don't want a distributor (they could easily sign a deal if they wanted one). It wouldn't have any effect on entering MN as signing a distro deal is on a state by state basis.

The issue right now is not having enough beer. I was at the brewery this weekend and was told by one of the brewers (Justin) that the 30bbl would come online soon and mean increased bottle production for sure.

They are doing 2-3 batch days on the 10bbl constantly just to keep up with draft accounts and allow for the occasional bottling.

 

Wish I knew you were visiting! I don't typically spend a lot of time at the taproom during football season, but it would have been fun to meet up. Glad Justin was able to help you out a little. Usually if I'm mashing in by 7 in the morning, we're still not shutting down the doors 'til 9:30 or 10. Long days, but we're trying to get the beer out there. Although I'm spending any free time working on logistical issues and make sure everything is ready for brewing (on the new system), we're still waiting for the final (small) pieces of equipment. They should be in within a week or two. Once those parts are in place, it'll be firing strong (hopefully) shortly thereafter. There's obviously a strong desire to be able to kick out 60 bbls in less time than it takes to do 30! That's the extra barrelage that will lead to more bottles.

-Mike

 

I should have mentioned it to you/Clark on here but didn't even think of it. Oh well, I had a great time with Lydia and Nicole and I will be back for Assassin 2014 if not sooner!

Cheers!

 

I am coming to Iowa in a few weeks. Where am I going to find distribution of TG bottles?

 

As of now, nowhere. Dorothy's was just distributed today, but not sure that will last 2 weeks. However, TG could distribute another beer in two weeks. I would just suggest following them on facebook or twitter, as they usually post where they are headed the day of.

 

Currently, the only bottles they have are Dorothy's New World Lager. Those are hitting Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Ames for sure. Might be able to find a few on shelves in a few weeks still, as it doesn't move as fast as Sue, Sosus, other TG beers.

Not saying they won't release more bottles of other beers before you get here, but that is current status!

 

I have some Sue bottles left from the last run. Drop me a note if you want to work something out, OP.

 

So why does this stuff not make it to Davenport? Is it a separate distributor that handles the QC and TG isn't linked up to them yet?

 

Not sure if Davenport gets TG or not, but they currently self distribute, so I don't think it's because of that.

 

Does TG do Growler fills at the taproom?

 

Yes. And their website (on the front page to the right) lists what they currently have on tap AND if there is something on tap they aren't filling growlers of...they'll list that next to the name of the beer too. http://www.tgbrews.com/site/

 

To add to this I read somewhere recently that Mornin' Delight will start being distributed in 4 packs throughout Iowa as well as Minnesota. Could be wrong though.

 

Taking into account that MN doesn't get any TG distro, let alone special releases I'd think it's safe to say WI and IA will be the first to see Mornin' Delight. They are planning to expand to MN in the new year, although when I'm not sure. Could be that they're waiting to get that settled before moving forward with the MD 4 packs.

 

TG self-distributes

 

Oh that's right. I wonder why they don't hit the Davenport/Bettendorf market then. Seems decent size and still within Iowa. Maybe I'll have to direct that question to them.

 

Is anyone going to TG this weekend? Would love to trade for a growler of psuedoSue. BM me if anyone is interested. Thanks.