Hill Farmstead thread

[Kasher]

that's an interesting take about how long a beer may take to sell... if it takes 2 weeks, I'm not sure how much it affects the brewery.... but would that mean setting the allocations lower by default? and if they do, will that dissuade people from going up there?

I know there are several people affiliated with HF that partake in this thread, so this is 100% me absolutely not telling them how to do things because I'm sure they have more information on how these things work than any of us ever will.

But...we can talk in hypothetical statements forever. The only way to know if setting the limit artificially low from the start would effect things is to do it.

I have zero answers, and maybe they're pleased with the change-up limits on the fly policy (I've made the trip up the HF once and spent a long weekend in VT, amazing time), but we can spitball forever and as they say "if ifs and buts were candy and nuts."

 

[InfinityonTrial]

I think the main thing is that they don't want everyone to rush up on Weds and then have nobody there on Thursday or Friday...

This is the unfortunate consequence of what happened again, people see that if you're going to get the larger allotment, you'd better be there early on Wednesday. That craze just gets fed when limits have to be dropped.

I don't know the solution, and I don't know what kind of data HF is working with when they try to predict this stuff. I can't imagine it's easy to find that balance, and you're right, for the most part over the last year at least it's only been a couple releases where this has happened. I just hope it doesn't become more prevalent.

 

[Os]

I know there are several people affiliated with HF that partake in this thread, so this is 100% me absolutely not telling them how to do things because I'm sure they have more information on how these things work than any of us ever will.

But...we can talk in hypothetical statements forever. The only way to know if setting the limit artificially low from the start would effect things is to do it.

I have zero answers, and maybe they're pleased with the change-up limits on the fly policy (I've made the trip up the HF once and spent a long weekend in VT, amazing time), but we can spitball forever and as they say "if ifs and buts were candy and nuts."

true... and since someone will always be upset, it may be an exercise in futility...

but I just figured, since the subject was up, why not try constructive opinions... just a little mental exercise... at least from my end it beats the complaining... I enjoy problem solving drills though... just my personality.

 

[indy1]

Always entertaining when the thread turns into logistical talk about how bottle releases should be run by the varying groups of people who did / did not / had no plans of getting the bottles.

There is no magical solution that makes everyone happy (and there never will be). They do the best they can with the info they have obtained over years of running their business. Eventually we come back to this conclusion and get back to talking about how some 2014 release of Florence is banging right now. This thread, much like life, is cyclical.

 

[GuzzleMcBrew]

Did anyone try the new Florence/Arthur batches yet? I am wondering how tart these are relative to the
"usual". Any insight is appreciated.

 

[Mikecap]

Did anyone try the new Florence/Arthur batches yet? I am wondering how tart these are relative to the
"usual". Any insight is appreciated.

Had a new batch Arthur last night with a friend. It popped his Arthur cherry and he loved it saying it was "tart and funky af."

Personally, I did not find it anymore tart than previous batches. Barnyard funk, lemon, and a tart but balanced finish. Excellent batch.

Drinking these shelf saisons always reinforces to me that they are the best deal in craft beer.

 

[Thevicster]

Had a new batch Arthur last night with a friend. It popped his Arthur cherry and he loved it saying it was "tart and funky af."

Personally, I did not find it anymore tart than previous batches. Barnyard funk, lemon, and a tart but balanced finish. Excellent batch.

Drinking these shelf saisons always reinforces to me that they are the best deal in craft beer.

God how I've always hated this phrase....sorry...back to your normal programming....

 

[InfinityonTrial]

Drinking these shelf saisons always reinforces to me that they are the best deal in craft beer.

Seriously though, is there a better deal?

 

[JulianB1]

Always entertaining when the thread turns into logistical talk about how bottle releases should be run by the varying groups of people who did / did not / had no plans of getting the bottles.

There is no magical solution that makes everyone happy (and there never will be). They do the best they can with the info they have obtained over years of running their business. Eventually we come back to this conclusion and get back to talking about how some 2014 release of Florence is banging right now. This thread, much like life, is cyclical.

Speaking of which, drank an 11/2014 a couple of nights ago at my friend's "we have no power so let's grill and smoke all the meat in my freezer!" party. No apology for the ****** tea candle lit pic:

Funkier than I recall that batch being fresh or even at a year old. Dare I say it might be at its prime right now.

 

[Auror]

Drinking these shelf saisons always reinforces to me that they are the best deal in craft beer.

Seriously though, is there a better deal?

$0.39/oz.

Heady Topper - $0.19/oz.

Still the king.

 

[IndianaJones]

$0.39/oz.

Heady Topper - $0.19/oz.

Still the king.

 

[Don2]

$0.39/oz.

Heady Topper - $0.19/oz.

Still the king.

Personal opinion but not a great deal lately

 

[averagjoe3]

Heard they booted some people today as well

 

[InfinityonTrial]

$0.39/oz.

Heady Topper - $0.19/oz.

Still the king.

Ya but the IPA market is way more saturated than the saison market.

 

[NAD1983]

As a BUSINESS, I think HF should release their beers in whatever way is most convenient for them, while making the most money. Some people forget that HF doesn't exist to provide you with the means to dick swing with all of your chodebro drinking buddies, it's a business and actual people work there. HF sells out of everything regardless of the limit and/or release date, so at this point it isn't about winning new customers or enticing existing ones to make the trip, it's going to happen anyways. So why make it harder on yourself by making new rules, exceptions, etc?

***Side questions: Does anyone think that a CD14 and a fruited Holy Mountain could land a Clover?

 

[JulianB1]

Seriously though, is there a better deal?

Already mentioned, but good canned IPAs are probably the best value in beer. HF saisons are pretty much unbeatable (maybe comparable to non-infected BCBS and a couple of other things) when it comes to beers that take more than a few weeks to pump out though. Also worth noting that they are better than most breweries' "special releases" along the same style.

 

[wethorseblanket]

***Side questions: Does anyone think that a CD14 and a fruited Holy Mountain could land a Clover?

who knows. it's going to take a lot to cut through the clutter of ISOs out there. once the dust settles i was going to offer Ancient One B-bomb plus Fou, and I'm not too confident that'd get done.

 

[bsc]

The last few pages of this thread

 

[evanw1]

Let's wrap it up then. HF should release beers however they damn well see fit (n.b., they know more than us about the workings of their brewery). Also, Arthur > Heady.

Moving along...

 

[JonF7]

Is Clover available for on-site consumption? Don't see it listed today, but also didn't check yesterday to see if it was listed either.

 

[nhindian1]

Is Clover available for on-site consumption? Don't see it listed today, but also didn't check yesterday to see if it was listed either.

It was yesterday, but then sold out. Dunno if they restock each day.

 

[JonF7]

It was yesterday, but then sold out. Dunno if they restock each day.

Thanks for the reply.

Sadface

 

[Resuin]

I heard they had a few clover bottles for on site today. Sold out quick though.

 

[MikeG1]

According to Untappd, yes.

 

[MyGrandmaLovesCraftBeer]

I think that a sensible approach to the Clover release would have been to announce an initial release week (running Wednesday through Saturday) during which the limit on Clover would be set at 1 bottle per person. During this release, Collected Works members would be guaranteed 1 bottle as a perk of membership with the option to purchase another bottle at the brewery (with the general public) during the release week.

Following the initial release, Hill Farmstead would limit the purchase of bottles of Clover for on-site consumption only, where it would remain for two weeks to allow for those who missed out on the release to try the beer. If, after three weeks, there are still bottles remaining that need to be moved, portions of that inventory could be split between extended on-site offerings and an additional allocation for Collected Works members.

In my conversations with Hill Farmstead enthusiasts, a common theme seems to be a desire for individuals to want to try Shaun's beer. An initial bottle release week with a sensible per person bottle limit and subsequent weeks of on-site availability would provide a large number of Hill Farmstead fans with that very opportunity.

In the structure outlined above, Collected Works members would be provided with additional opportunities to purchase bottles; the understanding would be that those bottles would be shared with other beer lovers, preferably with those who were unable to attend the release. It is my belief that many of the individuals chosen for membership into Collected Works were selected by the brewery specifically to serve as ambassadors for Hill Farmstead. I trust that these individuals will do right by craft beer.

Those are my thoughts on the matter. I provide them only in the hope that over time, my words will stimulate a series of conversations that will bring about changes to the current release format. Such changes would allow for more people to talk about the feels they get from beer rather than the butthurt that ensues from missing out on one.

 

[Wino1]

yea, but how would i be able to both profit and enjoy another bottle at home if it was only 1pp?

 

[Mikecap]

I think that a sensible approach to the Clover release would have been to announce an initial release week (running Wednesday through Saturday) during which the limit on Clover would be set at 1 bottle per person. During this release, Collected Works members would be guaranteed 1 bottle as a perk of membership with the option to purchase another bottle at the brewery (with the general public) during the release week.

Following the initial release, Hill Farmstead would limit the purchase of bottles of Clover for on-site consumption only, where it would remain for two weeks to allow for those who missed out on the release to try the beer. If, after three weeks, there are still bottles remaining that need to be moved, portions of that inventory could be split between extended on-site offerings and an additional allocation for Collected Works members.

In my conversations with Hill Farmstead enthusiasts, a common theme seems to be a desire for individuals to want to try Shaun's beer. An initial bottle release week with a sensible per person bottle limit and subsequent weeks of on-site availability would provide a large number of Hill Farmstead fans with that very opportunity.

In the structure outlined above, Collected Works members would be provided with additional opportunities to purchase bottles; the understanding would be that those bottles would be shared with other beer lovers, preferably with those who were unable to attend the release. It is my belief that many of the individuals chosen for membership into Collected Works were selected by the brewery specifically to serve as ambassadors for Hill Farmstead. I trust that these individuals will do right by craft beer.

Those are my thoughts on the matter. I provide them only in the hope that over time, my words will stimulate a series of conversations that will bring about changes to the current release format. Such changes would allow for more people to talk about the feels they get from beer rather than the butthurt that ensues from missing out on one.

But would you bring your grandma to the release?

 

[Fahmie25]

But would you bring your grandma to the release?

 

[chefduff2]

The best mule you could ever have. Hopefully he took out for a nice early bird dinner after.

 

[Wino1]

Isn't that guy in his 40s too?