Toronado Seattle

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by Mages64, May 10, 2014.

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  1. Mages64

    Mages64 Initiate (0) Sep 7, 2009 Washington

    I would kindly disagree with the assumption that Toronado doesn't carry weight. I know breweries from all over the world (even japan and India) that would love to have their beer poured at the Toronado. Distribution is the same. If a beer becomes popular or available at a Toronado, typically many other bars in the area will all of a sudden take notice. Now as far as getting Russian River, there is absolutely NO way for them to get Russian River short of direct import... which is possible.
     
    #41 Mages64, May 16, 2014
  2. Kurmaraja

    Kurmaraja Initiate (0) May 21, 2013 California
    Trader

    Sorry I wasn't clear. I meant it doesn't carry a lot of weight with the general public; only pretty deep beer geeks know the name. Now, breweries are different. Getting your beer poured there puts you in front of the cognoscenti of beer geekery. That's why I was speculating that the root of this is distribution. So, more or less, we're agreeing that distribution seems to be the most likely reason to use the name (whether it's licensed, franchised, a partnership, whatever).
     
    #42 Kurmaraja, May 16, 2014
  3. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Would it be legal for them to sell beer from the RR kegs that are directly imported (ie. drive down and bring them back)? Does the brewery still have a distribution license/whatever to sell here? How do other places (Brouwers, Elysian, etc.) handle special kegs from breweries that don't distribute to WA?
     
    #43 distantmantra, May 16, 2014
  4. Mages64

    Mages64 Initiate (0) Sep 7, 2009 Washington

    Then yes I would absolutely agree that the general public cares very little for the name toronado.
    I however cannot imagine distribution has anything to do with the name. I feel like the new owner(s) simply love toronado and want to extend the vibe and history to Seattle (as controversial as it may or may not be). They will be limited to the same issues every other bar faces regarding distribution however. A supplier (brewery/importer) must still register in the state and be received by someone with a direct import license. This is expensive, time consuming and at a huge cost to someone doing it on a small scale. Elysian makes no money on their firkin firkin event from what I understand but the notoriety and press more than makes up for it. Any new bar is limited by which suppliers are in the market through distributors or self-distribution.
    This is a case by case question. If you want to know a specific brewery and how they distribute, I can look into it or tell you. However most of these are simply direct shipped from the brewery through a normal shipping method (FedEx, ups, or shipping company) and received by someone with the license to receive it. Other breweries do non public releases of breweries. Surly for instance has a license to sell in WA state but the beer only comes in through a distributor as a preorder for a specific account. That account buys all of it immediately on the day of arrival. Anyone can do this with enough contacts, money and motivation. Who do you want to see on tap that isn't?
     
    #44 Mages64, May 17, 2014
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  5. Gobigvt7

    Gobigvt7 Zealot (709) Mar 15, 2008 Oregon

    SD has Big Nate. I'll vote for Nate every time! Plus Alpine Keene's Idea!
     
    #45 Gobigvt7, May 17, 2014
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  6. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The info you provided above answers my question. Thanks!
     
    #46 distantmantra, May 17, 2014
  7. Kurmaraja

    Kurmaraja Initiate (0) May 21, 2013 California
    Trader

    Thanks for the details. Firkin Firkin is actually a good example, though, in that it shows the value of a loss leader.

    So, in theory, the Toronado connections / klout in the beer community could allow them acess to more rare / desirable goods. (Though it's not as if Brouwer's is usually lacking in good options.) I just can't imagine a business owner opening a new location of a revered spot(s) without a plan to make it live up to the reputation.

    Guess we'll see soon enough.
     
    #47 Kurmaraja, May 17, 2014
  8. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I was expecting Brouwers to magically have a keg of PtY, but that hasn't happened in the last two years. Who knows.
     
    #48 distantmantra, May 17, 2014
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  9. SeaAle

    SeaAle Maven (1,381) Jun 24, 2012 Oregon

    I thought maybe this year also, but nope. It seemed like Portland received more than ever this year. Thanks Seattle. :slight_smile:
     
    #49 SeaAle, May 17, 2014
  10. dayglo

    dayglo Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2009 Washington

    I'll say the keg of Deviation that they tapped on Thursday at Sour Fest was pretty magical.
     
    #50 dayglo, May 18, 2014
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  11. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The SF pic reminds me of my former regular bar, the Viking Tavern, back before the most recent previous owner ran it into the ground.
     
    #51 woemad, May 18, 2014
  12. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Except they've probably had that for quite a while now, just like the Temptation that was at Bottleworks last month.
     
    #52 distantmantra, May 18, 2014
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  13. HuskyinPDX

    HuskyinPDX Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2011 Washington


    What?!
     
    #53 HuskyinPDX, May 18, 2014
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  14. ballardbeer

    ballardbeer Pundit (779) Nov 10, 2013 Oregon

    i would have called in sick if i knew that...
     
    #54 ballardbeer, May 18, 2014
  15. fsck

    fsck Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2013 Washington

    Just like the keg of Deal with the Devil at hard liver, they don't announce some of the more nifty kegs. It was quite good.
     
    #55 fsck, May 19, 2014
  16. dayglo

    dayglo Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2009 Washington

    happened after they kicked a few kegs. both cantillions and the 10 barrel apricot went down at about 4pm, once that was done they replaced the 10 barrel with deviation.
     
    #56 dayglo, May 19, 2014
  17. Kurmaraja

    Kurmaraja Initiate (0) May 21, 2013 California
    Trader

    Deviation lasted 9 minutes and 27 seconds.
     
    #57 Kurmaraja, May 19, 2014
  18. LumpkinBrews

    LumpkinBrews Pundit (918) Aug 30, 2013 Colorado
    Trader

    This would happen after I move.... lol
     
    #58 LumpkinBrews, May 20, 2014
  19. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    #59 distantmantra, May 28, 2014
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  20. Smurf2055

    Smurf2055 Initiate (0) Nov 12, 2011 Washington

    #60 Smurf2055, Jun 1, 2014
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