Unknown Brewing????

True...... but it all starts with what the brewery prices it at. If you walk in a local shop here in Charlotte they are selling Vehopirapctor for 15.99 and right next to it a Stone for 7.99. I know which one that I am buying.

 

That's a very fair statement, but folks should remember to consider the economies of scale for a massive, established brewery like Stone versus a brewery in its infancy like Unknown. When Unknown makes a beer like this one, pushing the limits of what a DIPA can be, the brewery has to turn a profit, with which I'm sure you agree. And considering this beer was made with whole cone hops, I guarantee you they lost at least a 1/4 of their juice because of those hops sucking up the wort. That merits a higher price tag, because that's literally 10 bbl down the drain that can't be bottled or kegged.

No doubt that Stone, NBB, Sierra, and others have excellent beer...but the point of trying Vehopcirator for whatever price ($13.99 at my HT, folks ha ha ha) is that it's something different, local, and new, and therefore exciting. I certainly don't begrudge you for that choice, because you're making a savvy purchasing decision based on your life factors that help guide you in spending/budget decisions. But I would say that some folks out there ripping Unknown over price, without considering the facts involved, is simply inconsiderate.

Cheers!

 

That's a beautiful story... it really is.

Calling average, everyday consumers inconsiderate for pointing out that a beer is extremely overpriced is absurd. Ridiculing people for not contemplating the precious facts you mention, before they decide which beer to purchase, is ludicrous.

I'd also like to draw attention to the fact that your BA profile was created on Tuesday and the only activity has been 3 multi-paragraph, Unknown hobnobbing replies to this thread. Hmmmmmmmm

 

I don't know Kit personally but I will tell you that he has turned the Ballantyne Harris Teeter into a bottle shop within a HT in the past year or so. Check out their selection sometime and you would be shocked at how it has improved. Best grocery store beer selection in CLT, complete with a full lineup of bombers. There are is another bottle shop owner in town I spoke with today about this very beer who also agrees with him on the subject. They are new. With all the hops, it was an expensive beer for them to make. Retail was $13.99. Them there are the facts. Worth it? Well breweries don't price their beer on how good it is, just how much it costs to make {unless you are talking $30 BA Mexican Cake }.

 

While it might be expensive for the brewery to make, as a consumer I have a choice; do I buy that bomber of unknown for $13.99+ or do I go down the street to NoDa and get a 4pack of HDR for $13...

Personally, I am going to go with the cheaper and higher rated option every time; even if I want to support all of the 'local' breweries.

 

I understand the scale issue when it comes to comparisons to Stone or NB, but NoDa actually has a smaller system and is able to sell nearly 3 times the volume of HDnR for less than the suggested price of Vehopciraptor. Granted, HDnR is a smaller beer (although not by much!)

 

I decided to pick up a Vehopciraptor the other day, while yes I know I could be a beer I like for a bit cheaper, but one of my favorite things about beer is trying new beers. I haven't tried it out yet, but will let you guys know when I do. Either way the bottle itself is pretty nice, it is a good addition to my collection. I hope this beer turns out to be good, and understand why some people won't take the risk of blowing the money on an unknown beer...pun intended! Cheers guys!

 

This has absolutely nothing to do with a south Charlotte Harris Teeter, thanks for the advice though. I really don't understand why that was brought into the thread.

I have nothing against Unknown, but their bottled double IPA is overpriced. I would try it on draft, but I would not purchase a bomber at the current price point, just my personal preference. And there are a ton of others out there that share this same sentiment. That is why the bottle shop I stopped at on my way home today was still fully stocked with this beer.

I do, however, have an problem when someone calls me, and others who agree with me, inconsiderate for not sympathizing with the brewers cost simply because someone claims they are "pushing the limits of what a DIPA could be."

This statement by @KB-HT really got under my skin... trying to tell people the correct way to analyze and purchase a beer:
"But I would say that some folks out there ripping Unknown over price, without considering the facts involved, is simply inconsiderate."

"... without considering... is inconsiderate." -el capitan obvious

 

I picked up a bottle of Vehopciraptor at Harris Teeter today out of curiosity. I had some extra cash so I figured I'd give it a shot.

I'm drinking it now and it's not a bad beer. It's probably the best beer I've tried from Unknown, as a matter of fact. Is it worth the $14? No. It's very much in the style of 90 Minute. I should note that I prefer drier, lighter, more west coast style IPAs and this is definitely not that.

 

I didn't call anyone names, nor did I say they were ignorant or stupid, or anything of that sort. I said they were being inconsiderate because companies provide products/services to us, and I felt the need to remind folks of what they already knew...that products have costs, and losing money isn't an option. As someone pointed out, we as consumers have a choice. I see my customers buying HDnR, Vehopcirator, and many other beers. I advocate trying everything, and I try to keep my prices as low as possible to assist in that.

You're going overboard. Both of your comments toward me were pretty disrespectful. I gave my opinion on it, and you gave yours, and that's fine. You think it's overpriced, and I'm fine with that. But sarcasm-laced accusations aren't cool. So look - you know who I am and where I can be found. Come have a beer with me anytime at my bar, my treat...heck, I'll buy you a Vehopciraptor to try....and we can talk about your opinions because they are quite valuable. Brewers read these forums for a reason. I meant no disrespect to you or anyone else, and I think that's obvious to many posters here reading my comments. But it's just beer, dude. Getting under your skin? Sorry, man.

Let me just say this: I think it's a fair criticism of Unknown to ask why make a beer that retails for $13.99/bottle at this stage in their business? But I don't think it's fair to criticize them for associating a cost to their products. Either you're insulting these business people by inferring they don't understand how to price products, meanwhile inferring that you know more...or you're simply calling them out for being arrogant enough to think that their product SHOULD command such a high price. That is how I read your comments and others that agree with you here. If I misunderstood, then I apologize...but you'll need to communicate more clearly in between your sarcastic insults.

 

Thanks so much for the compliments and your patronage. I'm deeply humbled. Please introduce yourself to me next time you're in the store!

No question, that's the exact dilemma I'm sure many folks have. But remember, your taste/palate is way more important than anyone who rates beers or anything. I hope you'll give this beer a shot should the opportunity present itself if/when that dilemma isn't going on in your mind.

 

Dude, based on your previous posts alot gets under your skin! Please let me know if I can meet you out and buy you a beer or two. I would love to help with your anger managment.

 

Instead of continuing to go back and forth about this, let me just say that I think this beer is overpriced and I don't appreciate be accused of being inconsiderate for thinking so. Whereas some people brush that off, I have a hard time not confronting it. That is the bottom line. I have no clue who you are or where your bar is, and I really don't know why you think I would. All I've read is some mumbo jumbo about a Harris Teeter. Maybe I've already been to your said bar, who knows. You're right though, it is just beer. I apologize if my retort was offensive, but please be mindful of other BAs before labeling them as inconsiderate. We all consider beers that float our own boats. Cheers!

 

Ha, I'm flattered that you've taken some of your own, personal time to research my posting history. Please enlighten us all to the posts you're alluding to.

 

Fair enough to me, sir.

So to explain, I was actually surprised that some folks on BA knew who I was and what has been going on in my store, but just to be clear...my bar is actually INSIDE a Harris Teeter. I run the bar and I'm the beer manager at Harris Teeter Ballantyne. I'm the only "beer guy" in all of Harris Teeter (corporate or store level) that specializes in beer. It really isn't a big deal, but folks like what we're doing, and I'm proud to be a part of it.

Let me answer a few of the questions you're asking yourself: Yes, we have a bar. In a grocery store. And yes, you can drink while you shop. Or take a beer break while shopping, and catch some of the game. And yes, it's really, really catching on what we're doing. The ability to try 6 beers in my fridge for $9.99+tax while watching the game really appeals to folks.

I apologize for the self-promotion, as it's not my intent to talk about "who I am" as if it's f'n cool or something. I'm just a guy, standing in front of some beers, asking for you to love those beers.

Seriously, though...come find me at my store. 15007 John J Delaney Dr in Ballantyne, on the corner of Johnston Rd and Ballantyne Commons, just off 485. Ask for me (Kit). I'm working the bar Saturday and Sunday with a big screen TV and access to many games. I would love to split a Vehopciraptor with you and chit-chat about beer, plus take in your opinions. You obviously care about beer, hence your passionate responses to me and your presence on the BA message board. You're definitely not afraid to be honest, so you're an asset to the beer business as far as I'm concerned! Very admirable.

No worries on everything, and hope to meet you soon.

 

I'm familiar with the 201 Central in North Meck, sounds like the same blueprint since that is a subsidiary of Harris Teeter. I'm up on Lake Norman and seldom make it down to the Ballantyne area, but if I do, I'll make sure to stop by and surprise you. Work some of your magic and talk the two Harris Teeters off Sam Furr (Northcross and Regency Park) into adopting the same layout!

 

By the way, is that some kind of "Notting Hill" reference? It's one of my wife's favorite movies and I've had the luxury of watching it several times a year... for the last 8 years. Sorry, had to ask.

 

Yeah, similar concept, but we are a high end grocery store as well. It's pretty cool for people to see our bottle shop in the middle of a Ballantyne grocery store, but people's jaws drop when they find out about the bar and that you can drink a beer while you shop.

Guilty as charged. One of the most useless things about me are the movie quotes I know...and sadly butcher to accommodate what I'm trying to convey. Ha ha

 

@KB-HT: You're still not convincing me that breweries have NO impact into the cost of a bottle, which is what I disagreed with above. If Unknown puts out a bottle at $10 to the distributor, you as a store pay $12, and you charge the customer $14 (I know those aren't even remotely correct ratios, just an example) and it sits on the shelf, yeah you'll need to change the price. And maybe it'll end up being less than the store paid for it or maybe it'll fly off the shelves and the next time it comes in you bump it up a $1. However, if the store can't make a margin, or are even breaking even or losing on bottles, they certainly aren't going to reorder at that price point. Same goes for the distributors. And if distributors aren't buying beer from the brewery, then it doesn't matter how much the brewery makes or whether they're making money on the bottle or not, they aren't going to be making it anymore.

Point being, while the brewery doesn't set the retail price, it certainly plays a very large part in the final retail price by setting the price that it sells to distributors. Price is about value, but if the value a customer places on a bottle isn't in-line with the value that a store places on it, supply from the store, and demand to the distributor will shift. The whole system is a chain of supply and demand calculations back to the brewery.

 

Anyway, I was able to try Over the Edge IPA (just a single can) and I enjoyed it. Not enough to go back and pay $12 for a 6 pack, though. Saw the price for Vehopciraptor and had to pass because I thought the price was absolutely absurd. I'd like to visit the taproom before I pass too much judgment.