2018 Membership drop/renewal

[jtmartino1]

I received a surprise in my inbox last week stating that Lost Abbey had a few more spots (12) due to an increase in yield so I was offered the opportunity to sign up due to being one of the first to sign up for the wait list for 2019. Having already joined Keepers and Collected Works I went back and forth but couldn't pass up having Cable Car shipped to my doorstep.

I'm in the Lost Abbey S&S Club too this year. After trying the first releases (Veritas Peach and BA Serpent's Stout), I can say that I think their beer is extremely expensive for what you get.

I mean, it's $41 for a bottle of something that's not significantly better than other readily-available beer for only 50-60% of the price.

Unless something changes dramatically over the next half-year, I will not be re-upping next year.

 

[jwacky]

I decided this morning to not renew, mostly due to money being spent elsewhere and already in 7 clubs. I need to reassess my life choices this upcoming year and probably drop down to 2-3 clubs for 2019.

Yeah, I was really on the fence with this one but I renewed as a split membership this time around. Needs/wants work out well with the guy I'm splitting with so it worked out. There have definitely been some ups and downs with the club but I do like the direction it has been going lately. We shall see.

 

[jwacky]

I'm in the Lost Abbey S&S Club too this year. After trying the first releases (Veritas Peach and BA Serpent's Stout), I can say that I think their beer is extremely expensive for what you get.

I mean, it's $41 for a bottle of something that's not significantly better than other readily-available beer for only 50-60% of the price.

Unless something changes dramatically over the next half-year, I will not be re-upping next year.

There are some crazy bottles yet to come.

 

[jtmartino1]

There are some crazy bottles yet to come.

I mean, I get it, but Veritas Peach was pretty hyped, and it's solid but not great. Same with BA Serpent's Stout.

I am interested in value propositions. And selling $41 solid-but-not-great beers to your club members, then releasing them to the general public, is not a great value.

The club is handled well, and the FB group and emails are really great, but I just can't stomach that price point for beers that don't knock my socks off.

 

[jwacky]

I mean, I get it, but Veritas Peach was pretty hyped, and it's solid but not great. Same with BA Serpent's Stout.

I am interested in value propositions. And selling $41 solid-but-not-great beers to your club members, then releasing them to the general public, is not a great value.

The club is handled well, and the FB group and emails are really great, but I just can't stomach that price point for beers that don't knock my socks off.

I gotcha. I signed up to test it, figure worst case I can C+S the bottles I don't like.

 

[chemman141]

Anyone else sign up for Wild Barrel and heard anything out of them? The lack of information so far has me a little worried seeing as we are two full months in and have yet to receive the promised welcome email.

 

[sdreaper]

Anyone else sign up for Wild Barrel and heard anything out of them? The lack of information so far has me a little worried seeing as we are two full months in and have yet to receive the promised welcome email.

Nope, still waiting on that Feb 22nd email that "Dr." Bill said would be coming. I have seen that beer is in barrels, so I mean if we were going to get nothing but BA beers, then based on when they started putting stuff into barrels we wouldn't see a bottle until September.

But yes, the lack of info is a bit concerning. But hey...could be worse...could be California Wild Ales.

 

[chemman141]

Nope, still waiting on that Feb 22nd email that "Dr." Bill said would be coming. I have seen that beer is in barrels, so I mean if we were going to get nothing but BA beers, then based on when they started putting stuff into barrels we wouldn't see a bottle until September.

But yes, the lack of info is a bit concerning. But hey...could be worse...could be California Wild Ales.

The lack of information has me with a slight fear this is a similar situation. At least Wild Barrel has a brewery that is open and selling beer though!

 

[jwacky]

Nope, still waiting on that Feb 22nd email that "Dr." Bill said would be coming. I have seen that beer is in barrels, so I mean if we were going to get nothing but BA beers, then based on when they started putting stuff into barrels we wouldn't see a bottle until September.

But yes, the lack of info is a bit concerning. But hey...could be worse...could be California Wild Ales.

Anyone else sign up for Wild Barrel and heard anything out of them? The lack of information so far has me a little worried seeing as we are two full months in and have yet to receive the promised welcome email.

I'm always amazed at the discrepancy in the value of communication in the consumer's eye vs. the business's eye. Yes, the hardcore beer crowd can be demanding, but sending the occasional update email is free and goes a long way.

 

[sdreaper]

I'm always amazed at the discrepancy in the value of communication in the consumer's eye vs. the business's eye. Yes, the hardcore beer crowd can be demanding, but sending the occasional update email is free and goes a long way.

His only updates have been 2 posts on BA, and while one could argue that would have more eyes on it than say here...I do agree that an email to all of the members is the obvious choice, especially when it only takes 10 minutes to write it and another 5 minutes to look it over for errors.

 

[chemman141]

I'm always amazed at the discrepancy in the value of communication in the consumer's eye vs. the business's eye. Yes, the hardcore beer crowd can be demanding, but sending the occasional update email is free and goes a long way.

Yeah, all I would like is a "hey we're still here we didn't forget about you etc etc" not asking for a dissertation

 

[jwacky]

OK, so we're pretty much halfway through the year... what are your mid-way thoughts on your memberships?

IMO:

Modern Times League - My favorite. Beers are killer, I like the monthly preview tastings, and communication is top notch. You can tell the program is a priority for them.

Mikkeller Viking (Jarl) - Opposite of MT. Don't feel that the program is a priority at all, although it's just a couple months in to their new member year. We'll see how the bottles turn out. Not loving it, but never really did. Odd choices with purchase limits, and price increases have negated any savings benefits. Exclusive fills have been lacking. $30 merch credit, however the merch is incredibly expensive.

Bottlecraft Lock & Key - Have had some decent online sales but you gotta be QUICK for some of them. Like, sell out in a minute quick. Two locker drops have been made, and they've been decent enough. I like the web access for Alvarado Street and Fieldwork cans when they've offered.

Lost Abbey Patron Saints & Sinners - The most expensive, and like an earlier poster mentioned, it feels extra expensive when you try some of the beers. Also the most inconvenient. Still have over half the bottles to be released, including Cable Car. They also offered a member only sale of 2017 CC, 2016 DDG, and Veritas 20, which was a nice surprise.

If the year ended today, the only one I don't think I'd have to give thought to renewing is MT. If I were more rational I'd stick to just that one and spend the majority of my money there. Bottlecraft will depend on the remaining locker drops. I've generally liked it and will probably renew. I've learned my lesson with Mikkeller. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice... Lost Abbey I'm leaning toward passing. Too pricey, and a little too inconvenient.

 

[coldstorage]

they all suck

 

[chemman141]

I split all my memberships, that being said:

Black Project : can't drop this one fast enough, be gone greedy owners that treat their members like wallets that can be easily replaced

MT: I echo your sentiment, MT FTW just wish the preview tastings weren't in Highland Park Tuesdays at 6 pm

Casa: Easy renewal, love being able to buy ipa cans and pickup at my convenience

Wild Barrel: Seeing as we haven't even got our merch yet, let alone a beer release this will be an easy drop unless they really blow the next 6 months out of the water (or extend our membership through 2019 which they should)

de Garde: where do I even start? What a joke of a "membership". Easy drop

Dionysus: Loving it, incredibly tasty and incredibly well priced beeers. Great customer service and a nice variety of releases.

Powder Keg: sadly they went out of business so they are no longer, however the head brewer moved on to Westbound and Down which is starting up a membership soon and I intend to sign up for that

El Catador: Renewed for the next "collab" round

 

[sdreaper]

Bruery Hoarders - This will be my last year. if I split this the cost would be easier to keep, but aside from the small batch boxes (now 2 different ones) and my included bottles, I have not spent any other money on allocations. Just too much Bruery beer. DROP

deGarde *split* - wow, ummm, yeah....this was a $100+ mistake. Maybe it is better if I were local, but as an out-of-stater no thanks. DROP

SARA - First year and with the 2 sets of allocations I am not sure how I can be happier. It makes it even easier since a friend up north is also a member so she is able to pick up before she does her quarterly drive down to san diego to collect beer from other memberships. I also let her buy my additional bottles if I decide not to want extras. KEEP

Wild Barrel *split* - same as JJ up there. Kinda wish we had gotten a bottle by now. I do understand that beer takes time, and that I expected. But I had hoped they already had something going before the membership was even started. Sounds like it will be heavy on the back-end of the year, and they did state that the membership would go into 2019 if the sours weren't ready until then. The discount on everything is nice. It makes it even better when an individual that is splitting the membership, and not the official name on the membership, can state who they split with and also receive that discount. Vice in cans is also nice, even though I was buying crowlers already. DROP (or let person I split with take over)

Modern Times - until they do me wrong, they seem to be doing everything right. This is an easy re-up when renewals come around. KEEP

Lost Abbey - the allocations have been rather lack-luster, I usually only really want a beer out of it. The extra pack we got to purchase was nice. Our discount applied to everything, even event tickets, is also a nice touch. It is a tad out of the way, but so is Wild Barrel, but still within 20ish minutes...so I won't put that as a negative. LIKELY KEEP

Alesmith - communication is lacking, but I hear they hired another person as parttime to handle that. This being my "home" brewery and the fact that they named a beer after me almost makes me feel obligated to keep it. Hehehe, but really, just like with MT, they need to do me wrong before I drop it. The special tap inside A&S for members-only is nice, as is the members-only growler fills. I did have to buy new tops for the growlers though, but meh...only a couple bucks. KEEP

So, not getting any more beer memberships, but might consider getting a Pips Meadery membership if offered the chance.

 

[jtmartino1]

Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice... Lost Abbey I'm leaning toward passing. Too pricey, and a little too inconvenient.

As a Lost Abbey S&S member, the beers are grossly overpriced compared to what's available on the market these days. I'm pretty disappointed, but I'm sure others find value in the discounts and stuff.

 

[abawol01]

Modern Times: Excellent club but man, I'm not sure I can handle so much beer. It's almost too good of a club. The preview tastings are the smartest thing ever. I buy way more beer than I would because of these things. Wife loves their stuff so we will renew.

De Garde: No complaints. .rar beers mean **** to me and everything they do is delicious. Couldn't care less that some stuff goes to the public. Easy renewal. I also enjoy the crying about this club. Please drop everyone. More for me.

 

[disapowzment]

You lot are in a lot of groups. Only keeping pips. Idk if anything is on the horizon. Beer and mead are getting easier to acquire so there’s almost no reason to be in a ton of groups.

 

[coldstorage]

Beer and mead are getting easier to acquire so there’s almost no reason to be in a ton of groups.

Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup

 

[chemman141]

Modern Times: Excellent club but man, I'm not sure I can handle so much beer. It's almost too good of a club. The preview tastings are the smartest thing ever. I buy way more beer than I would because of these things. Wife loves their stuff so we will renew.

De Garde: No complaints. .rar beers mean **** to me and everything they do is delicious. Couldn't care less that some stuff goes to the public. Easy renewal. I also enjoy the crying about this club. Please drop everyone. More for me.

I think we have only had the opprotunity to buy 2.5 cases of beer. My gripe isn't with rarity or member only bottles, my gripe is that we only get access to about 20% of their beer and usually at a 1 bottle limit.

 

[rrryanc]

they all suck

Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup

Thought you were a SARAs Cellar member? You dropping that?

In the Cellar and am splitting Lost Abbey this year. Will likely stay in both at same level, as the buddy I split LA with is good at trading for lambic with those bottles.

 

[abawol01]

I think we have only had the opprotunity to buy 2.5 cases of beer. My gripe isn't with rarity or member only bottles, my gripe is that we only get access to about 20% of their beer and usually at a 1 bottle limit.

That's fine. My comment wasn't specific to you but a general statement that there has been a lot of crying and I enjoy making fun of them. I've been happy with my beers and membership even if itsi not everything they make and all of it. $240 well spent for me. Guess I'm a homer...

 

[Gene1]

I think we have only had the opprotunity to buy 2.5 cases of beer. My gripe isn't with rarity or member only bottles, my gripe is that we only get access to about 20% of their beer and usually at a 1 bottle limit.

I went into it not sure which extra retail bottles we’d be able to buy, or how many, so it was all kind of gravy from the start. To me it was worth the money just for the included stuff, but I’m far away so I think maybe that helps.

 

[wolf13]

Short of it:

MT: KEEP
Been in it from the first (public) year, and I see no reason to drop, especially with one opening closer to me in Anaheim later this year. Excited to finally take advantage of more tasting previews, and to be able to post up at the bar a bit more.

Horus Aged Ales: KEEP
Only because the membership just started... I'm assuming I may re-up depending on the quality of the beers throughout the year, but we have no frame of reference for the club as a whole as of yet.

Rare Barrel: UNKNOWN
Echo everyone else sentiments regarding this club so far. I've liked the beers I've had from them, and I hope their barrel stuff turns out amazing, but I'll have to wait and see. I'm hoping they either continue the membership through 2019, or provide a discount for next year to the current members due to the lack of pretty much anything as of yet, or else I'm likely to drop.

Lock & Key: DROP, I'd do it now for a partial refund if I could.
If you lived next door to a Bottlecraft, it might be worth it, but the online sales were nothing like I had anticipated (MAYBE once a month, and mostly Alvarado IPAs - I'm not an IPA guy). I constantly see them advertise stuff on the regular BC FB page and think "hey, that would be great to be able to buy online," but no such luck. The one item I really wanted to get for an online sale was a BL bottle, which I logged in literally 5 seconds after it was posted on IG, and it was already sold out. I've picked up only one quarter of "locker beers" so far, and they've essentially been BC "shelf turds," or rather, they were all sitting on the shelves when I came in to pick up, and weren't really all that special or unique generally speaking. The "heads up" on "special bottles" going up for sale in store would be nice if I lived near the specific location they identified, but again, I also don't get why they don't put at least some of them up online. I understand some breweries don't like you to do online sales, but don't say a member benefit is the ability to buy "select rare bottles, via members-only webshop," and then having infrequent sales with nothing particularly "rare" about the beers. Also, there haven't been any members-only tastings or events that I'm aware of, nor have there been any BC events that I am able to buy advance tickets to. In other words you paid $225 for beers you can grab off their shelves and a 10% discount in the taproom... so not worth it.

 

[coldstorage]

Thought you were a SARAs Cellar member? You dropping that?

I'm just funning around with the first post but... i'm considering it?

Maybe i'll feel different by the end of the year. For now its like, I can get a lot of really great (but obviously not exclusive) **** from Bottle Barn for cheaper than the brewery sells it and can control the flow better. BB has Saison Bernice and nitro cans of Monsters Park sitting on the shelf right now, both cheaper than the brewery and < 1 mi drive. Lots of Tomes, the occasional lambic. It ain't the OMG rare stuff but its easy.

I also used to totally reject the idea of beer clubs in general as against the spirit but then totally sold out and joined up but now that im smoking pot again im tired of the psychic flagellation for betraying myself. But that's a whole nother story.

Plus I want money more than beer (or records, or wine, or guns, or denim, or....) at this point - so I can quit my job and be my own boss.

I understand this is an obnoxious take for a beer board.

 

[KevSal]

sara: if this was the only club i was in for the rest of my life ide be happy

split moksa: bit rough this first year unless your hyper local. hoping it expands to online and hold for us right outside of hyper local. next year price is going up but beers sound even better. even tho i’m a member i still missed out on thicc bibs and pastry method and most likely the next one do to member sales occurring during the week only. some minor tweaks and this club will be fantastic

split horus: well we shall see, pretty excited about it tho

so far i’m pretty happy!

 

[SpentBrain]

I split all my memberships, that being said:

Black Project : can't drop this one fast enough, be gone greedy owners that treat their members like wallets that can be easily replaced

Curious to hear more. I don’t buy BP because it’s 20 minutes away and I don’t care that much, but interested in your/others take. Seems to be a sell off on their stuff as of late.

 

[BadJustin]

Collected Works: I split- keeping hnnnnnng, but ******* is it making me poor

de Garde: as mentioned, if I were local I would be all about it but the coast to coast shipping is turrible. Drop.

 

[SpentBrain]

Casey: Keep. Easy one. Great communication, easy online store and plenty of options.

PowderKeg: Wouldn’t have renewed if they didn’t close. Only had one good beer from them last year, thought everything else was over hyped.

FunkFactory: Didn’t join MagClub because it’s dumb. Didn’t buy beers for 4 months and still stayed T100, but will probably start purchasing again. Nice to finally see stuff other than Meerts.

 

[chemman141]

Curious to hear more. I don’t buy BP because it’s 20 minutes away and I don’t care that much, but interested in your/others take. Seems to be a sell off on their stuff as of late.

They raised their beer price across the board 50% and moved to 375/500ml bottles. Agents griped about this in the agent fb group and were told if we don't buy it, someone else will. Their beer has no trade value anymore because it's so easy to get with the lottery system. You can just get your friends and family to sign up then when one of them wins someone proxys the beer for "them".
Example: Last year oxcart was a $30 750, this year its a $22 375