SN SummerFest out already :/

[bobeer]

I was at the store this past weekend and there was SN rep there sampling SummerFest. I had to do a double take because it was really the first full weekend in April... not summer at all. It's my favorite summertime beer and I'm sure it'll all be gone by the time June, July and August are here which are the actual months of summer. If it is still around it wont be the same beer... Either way, I'm bummed out.

The fall beers came out in Late July last year and were all gone by the time I wanted to drink them. IE September, October, November. Now the summer beers are starting to sprout in very early April; even earlier than last year... It seems the beer industry is becoming a lot like Christmas. Coming earlier and earlier every year. Does this bother anyone else or am I just becoming a grumpy old man who dislikes the change in something I hold so close to my heart?

Basically, I think it comes down to I think I need to stop buying commercial beer altogether, I pretty much just buy 3 of SN's seasonals, and just brew my own for when I want to drink it. Which means I'll have to get a lagering setup. Sorry hunny but this is the way it has to be.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Sounds like if this is the WORST thing going on in your life, you really need to get out more.

 

[atom]

Basically, I think it comes down to I think I need to stop buying commercial beer altogether, I pretty much just buy 3 of SN's seasonals, and just brew my own for when I want to drink it. Which means I'll have to get a lagering setup. Sorry hunny but this is the way it has to be.

that's the spirit! the good thing about being a homebrewer is that you can brew the beer you want to drink when you want to drink it.

 

[cegan09]

Welcome to season creep.

Sam Adams might be the worst offender. Summer was out in early march, while it was still technically winter. Spring was out 2 days after christmas, octoberfest comes out end of July. Don't even know when they sell their winter anymore.

 

[bobeer]

Sounds like if this is the WORST thing going on in your life, you really need to get out more.

Ha, I did get out.. that's why I knew summer beer was out in April... it's definitely not the worst thing going on in my life but this is a beer forum about beer stuff so I try to stick to beer stuff

 

[bobeer]

Welcome to season creep.

Sam Adams might be the worst offender. Summer was out in early march, while it was still technically winter. Spring was out 2 days after christmas, octoberfest comes out end of July. Don't even know when they sell their winter anymore.

They do pump out a ton of different beers. A buddy at work is a big Sammy A guy and he was just talking about this which is what got us on the conversation of the season creep, as you call it. It's probably difficult to juggle the release of so many beers but there has to be a way to do it better than it's trending. Then again, I have no idea about any of this... I'm just complaining haha.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

... this is a beer forum about beer stuff so I try to stick to beer stuff

Sometimes you gotta go against the grain. Mash it all up and get really doughed in.

 

[passedpawn]

I was at the store this past weekend and there was SN rep there sampling SummerFest. I had to do a double take because it was really the first full weekend in April... not summer at all. It's my favorite summertime beer and I'm sure it'll all be gone by the time June, July and August are here which are the actual months of summer. If it is still around it wont be the same beer... Either way, I'm bummed out.

The fall beers came out in Late July last year and were all gone by the time I wanted to drink them. IE September, October, November. Now the summer beers are starting to sprout in very early April; even earlier than last year... It seems the beer industry is becoming a lot like Christmas. Coming earlier and earlier every year. Does this bother anyone else or am I just becoming a grumpy old man who dislikes the change in something I hold so close to my heart?

Basically, I think it comes down to I think I need to stop buying commercial beer altogether, I pretty much just buy 3 of SN's seasonals, and just brew my own for when I want to drink it. Which means I'll have to get a lagering setup. Sorry hunny but this is the way it has to be.

Uh, everybody doesn't live in the snow belt. It's pretty summery here in FL right now. Know where SN is?

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Know where SN is?

Mount Whitney?

 

[bobeer]

Uh, everybody doesn't live in the snow belt. It's pretty summery here in FL right now. Know where SN is?

Oh I know where SN is! I used to live in Chico and spent many a day at the brewery. The summer of 06 was 112 in the valley for over a week straight. SummerFest tasted darn good that year! I know they recently put a brewery in NC too but the weather isn't as nice as the Chico location.

I used to live in the Tampa area too so I know what you mean about the nice weather down there all the time. Being from NoVa I did miss the fall though. EDIT: I see you're in Clearwater so I'll tell you I lived in Dunedin. Been going there for about 30 years every summer. Can't wait to move back there again!

 

[C-Rider]

If you want nice weather you need to move to O`ahu. No on second thought don't, the island is getting too crowded. We have some of the worst rush hour traffic in the nation. Just come to visit and spend your money to keep us employed. LOL

 

[Baja_Brewer]

They do pump out a ton of different beers. A buddy at work is a big Sammy A guy and he was just talking about this which is what got us on the conversation of the season creep, as you call it. It's probably difficult to juggle the release of so many beers but there has to be a way to do it better than it's trending. Then again, I have no idea about any of this... I'm just complaining haha.

I read an article about a week ago (can't seem to find it) saying the Boston Beer Company took a hit in sales because the intentionally reduced their brewery to shelf time to two weeks - meaning that beer was only warehoused for those two weeks. So I don't think thats it.

This season creep is out of control. I think its just another way of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) manifesting itself in our society today.

 

[tagz]

I read an article about a week ago (can't seem to find it) saying the Boston Beer Company took a hit in sales because the intentionally reduced their brewery to shelf time to two weeks - meaning that beer was only warehoused for those two weeks. So I don't think thats it.



This season creep is out of control. I think its just another way of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) manifesting itself in our society today.

Sales dropped when they reduced their timeline? Did people perceive a drop in quality?

 

[Baja_Brewer]

Sales dropped when they reduced their timeline? Did people perceive a drop in quality?

The change was driven by the desire to improve quality, which required reducing shipments. Less warehoused beer means it get moves in and out sooner, keeping it fresher. But it also means coming up short on big orders that a distributor might not be able to fulfill.

I managed to track down the article:

Over the past five years, the company focused on growth, nearly doubling its output and brewing capacity to meet demand. Mr. Koch said top-line growth like that meant the company could “only focus on a limited number of things, mostly keeping the wheels on the bus as you’re roaring down the road.” Now, he said, it is time to “focus on getting good.”

One of Mr. Koch’s biggest focus areas is freshness—the longer beer is on the shelf, the poorer it generally tastes. In 2010, Mr. Koch said he began plowing money into overhauling Sam Adams supply chain to cut the amount of time beer sits in warehouses to a week from a month.

The program required $50 million in capital investments and cut revenue by $15 million-$20 million since 2010 because of reduced shipments. But the financial sacrifices were worth it, Mr. Koch says.

 

[bobeer]

If you want nice weather you need to move to O`ahu. No on second thought don't, the island is getting too crowded. We have some of the worst rush hour traffic in the nation. Just come to visit and spend your money to keep us employed. LOL

Totally off topic but I saw that HI is offering 50k for teachers to move there since the turnover rate is one of the highest in the country. It's tempting, although I'm not a teacher, but I have 10 years in system administration and COULD get a teaching certificate and probably make it happen since they seem pretty desperate. Seems cool in theory!

 

[C-Rider]

Totally off topic but I saw that HI is offering 50k for teachers to move there since the turnover rate is one of the highest in the country. It's tempting, although I'm not a teacher, but I have 10 years in system administration and COULD get a teaching certificate and probably make it happen since they seem pretty desperate. Seems cool in theory!

I taught high school for 30 years here. Luck I bought a home 40 plus years ago when prices were not crazy. Medium cost for 3 bedroom home is like $700,000. That 50 grand won't go far here.

 

[GrogNerd]

we didn't get Bigfoot here until about 2 or 3 weeks ago

nothing like enjoying my favorite winter seasonal beer in the spring!

 

[madscientist451]

The clothing stores run out of bathing suits by forth of July and start bringing in fall items, you can't find a decent hat or pair of gloves in the dead of winter because they've stocked up on flip flops. That's the way retail goes, stay ahead of the season.
One local retailer still has New Belgium Pumpkick (fall seasonal) here in April, and they have reduced it out at $9.99 a 12 pack.
I think the OP has the best idea, make your own and don't worry about what is in the store.

 

[GrogNerd]

The clothing stores run out of bathing suits by forth of July and start bringing in fall items, you can't find a decent hat or pair of gloves in the dead of winter because they've stocked up on flip flops. That's the way retail goes, stay ahead of the season.
One local retailer still has New Belgium Pumpkick (fall seasonal) here in April, and they have reduced it out at $9.99 a 12 pack.
I think the OP has the best idea, make your own and don't worry about what is in the store.

true.

I did make my own Bigfoot