The Crooked Stave Cellar Reserve Thread

[nhudson]

I would assume that Nightcap Lbrett d Pluot and Dry Hopped Surette are all Q4 releases. We are buying them now and picking them up later (Q4) possibly. If I recall this is what happened last year.

 

[gueuze_goon]

Three REMAINING beers. Says so right in the email, my bad!

 

[FishPondManager]

These are the last bottles for the year

 

[omgeezo]

A pretty good year. Better than last year imo

Price hike hurts a bit and not as many perks, but the beer has been fantastic and the stemware is real nice. The 'growlers' are also way sweet.

 

[bathroomlaughter]

i tried 5 mins ago and it was a blank page, just refreshed and they're up. try now fellas : )

 

[Labors Of Hercules]

Who went to the B100 release? How is it? And what were the limits if any? I'll be in Denver Friday and I'm swinging by the source to grab some

 

[DenverBeerDrinker]

I'm heading over after the wife gets home

 

[jorjor]

Who went to the B100 release? How is it? And what were the limits if any? I'll be in Denver Friday and I'm swinging by the source to grab some

I had it on tap and picked up a case, but haven't opened a bottle yet. I thought it was great, but I remember liking Batch 60 more. I saw someone hauling out 4 cases on a cart. If there were bottle limits, they were pretty high.

 

[ChugLife]

Good beer! No limits.

 

[DenverBeerDrinker]

I had it on tap and picked up a case, but haven't opened a bottle yet. I thought it was great, but I remember liking Batch 60 more. I saw someone hauling out 4 cases on a cart. If there were bottle limits, they were pretty high.

I agree that I thought I liked Batch 60 more. But I also think this one will age better. Batch 60 lost some of the hops that I thought was present fresh but this one didn't seem to have that. Had a nice tart refreshing taste to it right from the beginning.

Also had a pour of a batch 4 Vieille. Drinking phenomenal!!

 

[gueuze_goon]

I saw someone hauling out 4 cases on a cart. If there were bottle limits, they were pretty high.

I'm sending the majority of it out to friends....though I did get a few for myself!

I thought it was like batch 60, but less hoppy and more juicy on tap at least.

 

[DenverBeerDrinker]

Any of the people I trustee for, don't worry I have you covered.

 

[pmoney]

I had a pour on draft yesterday and picked up bottles for myself and a couple friends. I was surprised that it was lacking fruitiness from the kumquats, but otherwise I thought it was great. I agree with DenverBeerDrinker about the fact that it will most likely age better than Batch 60 has (so far). I'm hoping there will be a little more fruit from the bottle.

I am planning to open a bottle tonight. Might as well open a Batch 60 too. For science

 

[Indytruks1381]

Do y'all think it will still be on sale Friday? My trustee can't make it until then.

 

[DenverBeerDrinker]

Do y'all think it will still be on sale Friday? My trustee can't make it until then.

Yes

 

[cosmicevan]

so, is it confirmed that:

Passion Fruit L’Brett d’Or*
Dry-Hopped L’Brett d’Or*
Apricot L’Brett d’Or*

became:

nightcap
surrette (dry hopped)
pluot lbrett

 

[johnnyramirez]

so, is it confirmed that:

Passion Fruit L’Brett d’Or*
Dry-Hopped L’Brett d’Or*
Apricot L’Brett d’Or*

became:

nightcap
surrette (dry hopped)
pluot lbrett

Passion Fruit L'Brett D'Or became petite sour passion fruit.

 

[balesfc]

I enjoyed Batch 100, but agree that fresh Batch 60 was better. There is a lot less hop flavor in 100. I think it has a lot of potential for aging. They also had NoB in Leopold Maryland Rye barrels on tap last night. That beer is incredible.

While I was there I overheard one of the bartenders saying that they were planning on tapping every beer they have ever made during GABF week. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

 

[gueuze_goon]

There's no way.....gonna have to breakout the camping gear if so.

That'd be the most epic/crazy/amazing week.

 

[balesfc]

I agree. If this is true I will be doing the same thing. I was hoping someone else had heard the same thing, since bartenders don't always have reliable information.

 

[TheMitz]

Yeah that would be awesome! Ever beer they currently make is much different than every beer they've ever made, however. That would make more sense.

 

[beerdweeb]

You definitely misheard the bartender. While that would be awesome, there's tons of blends that just don't exist anymore. That said, we do look to have a ton of cool stuff on, both old and new!

 

[ChugLife]

I agree. If this is true I will be doing the same thing. I was hoping someone else had heard the same thing, since bartenders don't always have reliable information.

When were you there?

 

[balesfc]

When were you there?

I got there last night around 8:30.

You definitely misheard the bartender. While that would be awesome, there's tons of blends that just don't exist anymore. That said, we do look to have a ton of cool stuff on, both old and new!

Can you tell us some of the stuff that will be on? I was planning on avoiding the more popular breweries during GABF week since they are insanely crowded, but I will deal with the crowds for awesome Crooked Stave beer.

 

[ChugLife]

I got there last night around 8:30

OK that was me the bartender was talking to.

The bartender definitely didn't say there was going to be every beer they ever made on tap. She said that every tap was going to be full. I'm sure they will have some good stuff on during that week.

 

[balesfc]

OK that was me the bartender was talking to.

The bartender definitely didn't say there was going to be every beer they ever made on tap. She said that every tap was going to be full. I'm sure they will have some good stuff on during that week.

****, I guess I misheard. Thanks for clarifying this.

 

[TheMitz]

Looks like they pouring some of the cellar series beers on Zwanze day. Looks like the Petit Sours and Raspberry Origins.

instagram.com/p/tF9W1IQpvy/

 

[ChugLife]

Looks like they pouring some of the cellar series beers on Zwanze day. Looks like the Petit Sours and Raspberry Origins.

instagram.com/p/tF9W1IQpvy/

Looks like more than that. Petite passion fruit, petite blueberry, bourbon barrel cherry origins...

 

[jorjor]

Apricot Petite Sour and Pomegranate Petite Sour were both tapped on Saturday. Both were awesome and worth the trip if they're still there.

I really like them having other variants like this on tap that aren't part of the reserve. Plus it gets me in the tap room more often for something different.

 

[Evan1212]

This was a sad email...

"Cellar Reserve Members,
The third and final Cellar Reserve release of 2014 is now set for Saturday, November 1st and will again be held at the Barrel Cellar (1441 W. 46th Ave., Unit 19) from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.

After many long conversations and sleepless nights we have decided this will be the last release we will hold, as we will not be continuing the Cellar Reserve program beyond the 2014-year. Please understand this was a very tough decision for us to make, but one we ultimately had to. Our Cellar Reserve members have been an integral part of what we do at our brewery and how we have shaped Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project. We have enjoyed making each one of the Cellar Reserve beers, and all the fun releases associated with the Cellar Reserve. We absolutely do not want our Cellar Reserve members to feel abandoned with our decision to discontinue the program and instead, we'd like to give you a little insight into the challenges we've faced with the Cellar Reserve program over the last few years and how we came to make this decision.

There are a few primary reasons that have brought an end for our Cellar Reserve program. As many of you know from visiting the Barrel Cellar, space is a commodity. We are extremely crunched for space and the amount of Cellar Reserve beers being held long-term has taken away our capacity to make beer. We have some big plans for the unit, which is currently holding all the Cellar Reserve beer, that will allow us to get a little more stability in our production. Why can't we just move? While there might be some industrial spaces on the outskirts of Denver, finding an ideal location that fits the needs of a brewery, especially a brewery built on barrel-aging, is difficult and is not a viable option for our long-term vision.

The beers we brew determine much of what we do at Crooked Stave. It is no secret that our beers take months, even years, to make. Devoting barrels to Cellar Reserve beer has severally limited our ability to produce beers outside of our core brands, Vieille, Surette, St. Bretta, HopSavant, and has taken away our ability to release L'Brett d'Or, Origins, and Nightmare on Brett in any quantity. This is tied to our lack of space, inability to regularly brew and tying up so much beer in the Cellar Reserve program. We absolutely love working to create experimental blends and fully intend to as we move forward. Focusing on producing 10 beers a year for our members in the volume needed without room for error, and relatively high quantities, ultimately reduces our ability to experiment. With more leeway in regard to production, we can spend more time pushing the limits of our mission: To be a modern artisan brewery with a quality driven focus, striving to progressively blend brewing science and art through creativity and following our passion.

A major reason for not continuing the Cellar Reserve program is due to a large financial liability related to the processing of Cellar Reserve membership payments, which is outside the comfort zone of bankers and merchant processers. This past year, we had all renewal funds withheld by our bank due to the fact that the product to be received by members was not yet created. We have had to wait until all the beers are released for the bank to disburse the funds collected last year. Working with banks for Cellar Reserve is no longer a feasible option and we at Crooked Stave do not feel comfortable personally processing 500 checks from our Cellar Reserve members.

It is important for us to maintain the loyalty and friendships we have gained over the last three years of Cellar Reserve. We are treating the release on November 1st as a final blow-out party with some special beer tappings, catered food, and good times as always. If you have never made it out to a release, this is the time to come! We hope all of our members will be in attendance to celebrate with us. Cellar Reserve members who do make it out to celebrate will have their photo taken, photo booth style, to be used on a personal lifetime membership card. All members who can't make the release are encouraged to send in a passport sized photo of themselves so cards can be made in their absence. With these cards, members will continue to receive special benefits in the future. Members will also receive email updates with respect to limited releases and happenings.

Thank you all for the amazing support you have given us over the last three years. We have been extremely lucky to have all of you involved with the Cellar Reserve membership and as loyal Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project followers. We hope you understand our decision and continue to be such strong supporters of our brewery. For the final release and blow-out party on Saturday, November 1st, we ask that all members attending please bring a Cellar Reserve glass from one of the last three years for a final toast. We can't wait to cheers with everyone on November 1st!

All the best,
Crooked Stave"