Bay Area Thread

[AndresR]

What about SN, ~3k miles apart. Same with Stone, and prob least 1500 for Lagunitas.

Fieldwork is not even in the same category as those guys. How big is the fieldwork distribution? How many cases of bottles did they move last year? A few dozen cases?

 

[rrryanc]

They might want to pump their brakes a bit. It's like 3.5 hours/190 miles between Monterey and Sac. That's quite a trek, granted homebase is in the middle, it still seems $$$$ to spread themselves out like that, all at the same time.

But if you're successful at it, the potential return is much higher than just selling to draft accounts. Stone's probably the best example with their "Company Stores". I suspect they're basically printing money off of those.

 

[rrryanc]

Fieldwork is not even in the same category as those guys. How big is the fieldwork distribution? How many cases of bottles did they move last year? A few dozen cases?

I don't think their business model even has bottle sales in it as a meaningful factor in the near future. I suspect they're plenty happy selling everything draft, and as much as possible direct to consumer.

 

[stupac2]

But if you're successful at it, the potential return is much higher than just selling to draft accounts. Stone's probably the best example with their "Company Stores". I suspect they're basically printing money off of those.

Right, you gross like double off kegs sold in-house vs distributed. If you have the capital to invest in new locations that have zero overlap with the current ones (which is what they're doing), then why not? The ROI is probably absurd.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

Right, you gross like double off kegs sold in-house vs distributed. If you have the capital to invest in new locations that have zero overlap with the current ones (which is what they're doing), then why not? The ROI is probably absurd.

Esp when bulk of their beers are quick turn around. Very little barrel, or sour program. They basically just make the same IPA over and over, give it a different name and ppl flock for it.

 

[AndresR]

Right, you gross like double off kegs sold in-house vs distributed. If you have the capital to invest in new locations that have zero overlap with the current ones (which is what they're doing), then why not? The ROI is probably absurd.

If they produce a ton of beer and crowler a **** ton of them at ALL the locations, then yeah that would do really well.

The Stone stores do well because they are packed with merchandise, and most are run off the same liqueur licence as the main brewery m SD allows like 4 locations to run off the one main one now. Amazingly awesome for a business to be allowed to do that.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

MacArthur Bart or near, (Temescal Brewing?), so easy access for both SF and east bay peeps?

I just checked Uber fare estimate, it's between $65-$85 a person one way. Get 4 ppl in a car, it's about $22 a person. Cheaper than a hotel room for sure, would it be cheaper than a party bus?

 

[AptosBeerDrinker]

Right, you gross like double off kegs sold in-house vs distributed. If you have the capital to invest in new locations that have zero overlap with the current ones (which is what they're doing), then why not? The ROI is probably absurd.

The only thing "interesting" to me is that the location is maybe a block and a half from Alvarado St. Brewing.

 

[matedog]

I just checked Uber fare estimate, it's between $65-$85 a person one way. Get 4 ppl in a car, it's about $22 a person. Cheaper than a hotel room for sure, would it be cheaper than a party bus?

Getting an uber after might be difficult though.

 

[RyanG1]

I just checked Uber fare estimate, it's between $65-$85 a person one way. Get 4 ppl in a car, it's about $22 a person. Cheaper than a hotel room for sure, would it be cheaper than a party bus?

We have used Chariot for shuttle buses. Recent trip from SF - Sonoma was RT and well priced.


https://www.chariot.com/charters

 

[AptosBeerDrinker]

We have used Chariot for shuttle buses. Recent trip from SF - Sonoma was RT and well priced.


https://www.chariot.com/charters

So funny. I saw like 6 of their rigs yesterday in SC and I had no idea what they were or what they did.

 

[brokensail1]

Fieldwork is not even in the same category as those guys. How big is the fieldwork distribution? How many cases of bottles did they move last year? A few dozen cases?

Not to mention Sierra Nevada's two facilities on opposite costs actually brew...and brew a lot. With having only an instagram post to go off of, I don't know what the full plans are. If they're just brewing out of Berkeley and then distributing kegs to Monterey, Napa, and Sac (plus whatever draft accounts around the Bay Area), that's not only a lot of beer to produce, but a lot of time and effort in moving it around northern California.

Of course, I don't know how Fieldwork is structured from a business/operations point of view, so they could totally be equipped to handle this. I guess I'm just assuming the worst because small breweries have shown that they are often (if not usually) terrible at actually running a good business, even if they make good beer.

 

[Sage1]

Of course, I don't know how Fieldwork is structured from a business/operations point of view, so they could totally be equipped to handle this. I guess I'm just assuming the worst because small breweries have shown that they are often (if not usually) terrible at actually running a good business, even if they make good beer.

I’m friends with one of the owners – he’s the smartest operations guy I’ve ever met.

 

[AndresR]

I’m friends with one of the owners – he’s the smartest operations guy I’ve ever met.

 

[Xul1]

Does Moonlight have any restrictions on filling growlers, e.g. won't fill growlers with other breweries' logos, won't fill specific types of glass/stainless, etc.? Perusing their Facebook page, they say "Did we also say that we'll fill whatever growler you got hanging around." but I was curious if anyone knows how far that extends (within reason, I'm not looking to get a gallon sized Arrowhead water bottle filled).

 

[tosh1]

Almanac did a recall on all the cans they just released.

Oxidation issues i heard?

 

[Xul1]

Does Moonlight have any restrictions on filling growlers, e.g. won't fill growlers with other breweries' logos, won't fill specific types of glass/stainless, etc.? Perusing their Facebook page, they say "Did we also say that we'll fill whatever growler you got hanging around." but I was curious if anyone knows how far that extends (within reason, I'm not looking to get a gallon sized Arrowhead water bottle filled).

For anyone else who might be wondering, I messaged them on Facebook and they said they'll fill both 32oz and 64oz (presumably 1L and 2L as well) and will cover other breweries' logos on growlers for you.

 

[matedog]

Almanac did a recall on all the cans they just released.

Oxidation issues i heard?

Haven't seen anything on their site, fb, etc. Anyone have any info on this? beerandnosh

 

[Gambit1]

Temesacal "Weekend" pale is delicious.

Still a bit strange growler prices there, $7 for 1L and $16 for 2L... Seems like it should be $8 and $14? Wonder if I can get them to just charge me for 2 1L fills?

 

[MrDave]

Temesacal "Weekend" pale is delicious.

Still a bit strange growler prices there, $7 for 1L and $16 for 2L... Seems like it should be $8 and $14? Wonder if I can get them to just charge me for 2 1L fills?

That is weird. I came across interesting growler pricing I have no qualms with yesterday.

Batrlett Hall : $10 32oz, $12 64oz

 

[RyanG1]

That is weird. I came across interesting growler pricing I have no qualms with yesterday.

Batrlett Hall : $10 32oz, $12 64oz

How are their beers? See menu has everything from IPAs to Barleywine to a Mint Porter.

Went to Old Bus Tavern a few weeks ago. Similar small setup to Bartlett looks like, in a much different space. Really liked their in house beers. Unfortunately they do not do growler fills.

 

[MrDave]

How are their beers? See menu has everything from IPAs to Barleywine to a Mint Porter.

Went to Old Bus Tavern a few weeks ago. Similar small setup to Bartlett looks like, in a much different space. Really liked their in house beers. Unfortunately they do not do growler fills.

I have only had Flower Shop IPA and it's exceptional. Had it months back the last time they made it when it showed up at Hop Grenade. I chose it over whichever Cellarmaker beers they had on, if that gives you an idea. They brewed another batch and now fill growlers. I went yesterday, had a couple pints and filled a couple growlers.

Hard not to compare it to Cellarmaker. 6.1%, juicy, danky, slight haze, bright...where it differs is it's $5 for a pint during happy hour (yes, they have a happy hour) and $3 a pint via growler fills.

I'm all-in on this beer until it's gone.

 

[jeberman]

I have two free tickets to the Anchor brandy barrel-aged stout release today that I can't use if anyone wants them. PM me with your info and I'll email them to you. More info here.

 

[rrryanc]

I have only had Flower Power IPA and it's exceptional. Had it months back the last time they made it when it showed up at Hop Grenade. I chose it over whichever Cellarmaker beers they had on, if that gives you an idea. They brewed another batch and now fill growlers. I went yesterday, had a couple pints and filled a couple growlers.

Hard not to compare it to Cellarmaker. 6.1%, juicy, danky, slight haze, bright...where it differs is it's $5 for a pint during happy hour (yes, they have a happy hour) and $3 a pint via growler fills.

I'm all-in on this beer until it's gone.

Flower Power was the first good east coast IPA that I ever had, but it was made by Ithaca Beer Company...

 

[MrDave]

Flower Power was the first good east coast IPA that I ever had, but it was made by Ithaca Beer Company...

aw ****, I meant Flower Shop IPA. You know, "hai Doggy"

 

[MrDave]

aw ****, I meant Flower Shop IPA. You know, "hai Doggy"

 

[brokensail1]

I have only had Flower Shop IPA and it's exceptional. Had it months back the last time they made it when it showed up at Hop Grenade. I chose it over whichever Cellarmaker beers they had on, if that gives you an idea. They brewed another batch and now fill growlers. I went yesterday, had a couple pints and filled a couple growlers.

Hard not to compare it to Cellarmaker. 6.1%, juicy, danky, slight haze, bright...where it differs is it's $5 for a pint during happy hour (yes, they have a happy hour) and $3 a pint via growler fills.

I'm all-in on this beer until it's gone.

Does Bartlett Hall do tasters/flights these days? I went early on when they only had two beers and it was buy a full glass or nothing.

 

[matedog]

You're my favorite customer.

 

[drgarage1]

You're my favorite customer.

I didn't know it was you.

 

[rrryanc]

aw ****, I meant Flower Shop IPA. You know, "hai Doggy"

Cult classic of some sort? None of the above is ringing any bells.