Wormtown Be Hoppy

Maybe because it won gold at a recent beer fest? That's when I noticed it.

 

If format alone has caused this, then Be Hoppy has become a benchmark example of how the right format change can ignite demand among this audience. The difference in this beer’s demand from – what seems like yesterday – is huge.

If Be Hoppy wasn’t in expensive bombers first, I wonder if the cans would have the exact same demand.

 

Forgot about that. Maybe the award, and therefore added WOM, combined with the format change might be the reasons.

 

Thanks for the tip, got a 4 pack yesterday, in my opinion and incredible beer. Blows hopulence out of the water. Anyone have any idea what the hops in this are?

 

I've always loved this beer, but the format change made it much more attractive to me. Before, I almost never bought bombers due to age/price but loved it on draft. The price cut cannot be understated; this was a beer that sold for ~$8 for a bomber, now just a few bucks more gets you 4 pints. It would be interesting to compare a beer that sold in $4 bombers but made the move to $12 six packs (e.g. kept the price/ounce the same), but I can't think of one off the top of my head.

 

Not to beat a dead horse, but I completely agree with the above. The format change into the price change made a big difference in my purchasing patterns. At $8 a growler it was more of a luxury purchase and more sporadic accordingly. Now in a 4 pack for $11.50-$12, I buy it whenever I see it. Any yes, it has gotten a little crazy to find it. If you follow Wormtown's social media, you can find it for short periods of time right afterwards pretty easily.

 

Totally agree--the biggest factor was the price drop. I also think it's riding the wave of popularity New England IPAs, getting a boost from the buzz surrounding HT, Trillium, Tree House. Be Hoppy has always been pretty highly thought of by those aware of it--it was just hard to find fresh and was always too expensive compared to other IPA options.

Want a counterexample? Just look at BBC. They've got cheap bombers and growlers, started canning Steel Rail, and do you hear anything? Nope. Because they price drop was not as big, and because Steel Rail isn't a trendy IPA.

 

I have never been a huge fan of bombers, so moving from that format and the price drop per ounce is what did it for me.
I do think the cans make it more like the HT of Mass. A 4 pack of 16oz cans at the same price point of HT was not an accident.

 

I also agree that the biggest factor was the price drop. But c'mon, it's not surprising that Steel Rail (BA rating 81 -- good) isn't enjoying the same response as a beer with a BA rating of 96 -- world-class. BBC also started canning Lost Sailor IPA around the same time as Steel Rail, but it hasn't ridden the "wave of popularity New England IPAs" that you seem to see. I think the real wave of popularity is for great beer at an affordable price.

 

You think Wormtown purposely put BH in the exact same format and price as HT on purpose?

 

I don't think you can get growler fills at Peppercorns...though I could be wrong. I think that was one of the reasons why they're opening up their new location, for tastings and growler fills. As for being on tap, I'm pretty sure it's always on. Every time I've been to Peppercorn's (which isn't terribly frequently) it's been on.

 

Same format yes but not quite the same price point, at least in my experience, unless you buy HT by the case, then it's close. BH was $12/4 during their previous release in July, HT in April at the Waterbury Village Market was $15/4 with a two pack limit.

Wormtown definitely has a hit on their hands now.

 

Good point. My only quibble is that Lost Sailor, a rather malty English style IPA, has been a personal favorite for years, and now that it is in convenient cans for less I buy more of it than ever. And I would swear that now it is more amazing for a strong cedar chest note that makes it smell and taste even better. IMO Lost Sailor needs to be found by more people. But I'll keep that under my hat because I don't want it to become less available or more expensive

 

Afterthought? As in:

Q: Do you have any Julius?
A: No, it's sold out.
Q: How about Be Hoppy?
A: No, that is also sold out.

 

Wow, this from the person who started this thread (exactly) 18 months ago.

 

Canned Julius will not see any distribution. Brewery only. Even if Julius gets distribute, Be Hoppy will sell out just as fast.

 

I don't think so but who cares what I think. If I get offered either one I'm wicked happy. They're kinda like 1A and 1B. And what about Heady? Many would say there are 1C's and 1D's that are even better. Who am I to disagree. Williams or DiMaggio. Elvis or The Beatles. When you're comparing the best of anything after a point it's just personal preference. (Except for the weirdo's that think the west coast has better IPA's than the east).

 

Not a good example actually. Both canned versions of Lost Sailor and Steel Rail by far outsell their bomber versions. And actually anything from BBC. The fact that they're not a trendy topic here isn't really an indication. There are far more non-BA beer drinkers, as you know )

Another good example when going from bombers to cans significantly increased sales is CBC Flower Child.