The Crooked Stave Cellar Reserve Thread

[Beerontwowheels]

If I didn't have an early flight tomorrow, I'd be getting belligerently drunk tonight. Just saying.

 

[TheMitz]

This stinks. The banking issues seem strange to me but I really have no idea what the root cause of the problem is. One thing that comes to mind is their new brew system in The Source. Looked pretty dusty to me last time I was there (around a month ago). Anyone know if they are using the new system yet?

 

[TillTheMedicineTakes]

if you didn't have money for the Reserve beers but you think you'll have money for 30$ 750mls?

Yes, Yes I do! Especially for the ones I want, not the ones I don't.
I don't want to pay that tag up front. Spread out, I can dig it.

 

[bathroomlaughter]

This just means that more people will have access to the beers.
I like this. I don't have the cash to throw down for all these reserve memberships.
However, I love being able to go down to a release and grab bottles of stuff I'm stoked about!

More CS beer for CO people!

yeah man glad that our hundreds of thousands of dollars of interest free loans could make your crooked stave experience a little better.

 

[TillTheMedicineTakes]

yeah man glad that our hundreds of thousands of dollars of interest free loans could make your crooked stave experience a little better.

Glad you feel that way. Have a great evening!
Oh yeah...Thanks!

 

[tacosandbeer]

We have Flying Dog. Thanks Chad!
Not srs, sorry

..chad says yer welkom...

 

[FishPondManager]

not sure how that works but if that money is being held wouldn't you be gaurateed to borrow against (if you needed it) since it's technically collected and in the bank...

They probably have borrowed against it.

The problem is the liability of offering 500 people 20 bottles of beer in advance. They have some protection from the terms of service, but a catastrophic loss of a bunch of beer, or an interruption in their contract brewing process, would result in massive returns of cash. Prudent lending (along with generally accepted accounting principles) requires they earn (recognize in accounting terms) the revenue before too much cash is borrowed (they maintain a healthy balance sheet).

Their cash flow will actually be healthier by selling their beers out of the taproom and distribution on a more frequent basis.

I'm completely speculating, but I think the money spent on the dust collector at The Source is really hampering them from an operations standpoint. Not to mention the massive overhead costs of having two large spaces of operation and storage.

 

[Adam Jackson]

Why is the Source which seems like they opened that almost 1 year ago not where they are brewing yet? Is the Source just an empty space with nothing going on?

 

[poonamibaxter]

Is the Source just an empty space with nothing going on?

It appears to be a breeding ground for skinny jeans, knit hats, ****** tattoos, and mustaches. There is also the tap room there.

 

[FishPondManager]

Why is the Source which seems like they opened that almost 1 year ago not where they are brewing yet? Is the Source just an empty space with nothing going on?

The Source is their taproom. It is quite busy and I would assume they are making a good chunk of change there, especially because it's staffed so low. This is just about their one year anniversary there. I'd say the brewhouse was completed around Christmas and they've been bringing in fermenters for the past year. The brewhouse is an albatross. I have heard a lot of different things, but the fact remains they have not brewed a batch of beer there.

 

[doobiegoobie]

I'm just so sad.

 

[FishPondManager]

It appears to be a breeding ground for skinny jeans, knit hats, ****** tattoos, and mustaches. There is also the tap room there.

Also this. It's the most hipster place in denver, possibly in the world. When I was there last month to pick up reserve allocations I saw a dude wearing combat boots, skinny jeans, a tie-dyed wu-tang shirt, and a knit beanie. It was 90 degrees outside.

I feel very out of place there in my sneakers, cargo shorts, tshirt, and titleist cap

 

[blue_bleeder]

Time to make some new Denver friends. blue_bleeder, we bffs, right?

Always Chris...

 

[blue_bleeder]

Also this. It's the most hipster place in denver, possibly in the world. When I was there last month to pick up reserve allocations I saw a dude wearing combat boots, skinny jeans, a tie-dyed wu-tang shirt, and a knit beanie. It was 90 degrees outside.

I feel very out of place there in my sneakers, cargo shorts, tshirt, and titleist cap

How about me in my gun shirts and cargo shorts...

 

[FishPondManager]

How about me in my gun shirts and cargo shorts...

You're old enough to get away with cargo shorts. I'm just the guy who hasn't bought new clothes in 10 years.

 

[neorunner]

Do you know how many good breweries are in MD?

1. Flying Dog
2. Brewers Art
3. Jailbreak
4. Antietam
5. RavenBeer
6. Pub Dog
7. Ellicott Mills
8. Heavy Seas
9. Oliver (Pratt St.)
10. DuClaw
11. Gordon Biersch
12. Evolution
13. Burley Oak
14. Baying Hound -5

2?

 

[poonamibaxter]

Wow, at the tap room now in a hipsters paradise but worth it. Batch 100 is insanely good. So is the pomegranate and apricot petite sours.

 

[Labors Of Hercules]

yeah I thought batch 100 was stellar.

 

[Previously]

Seriously cant wait for FTowne's Reserve Society. Crooked Stave's cancellation couldnt have come at a better time!

New hot brewer on the loose!

 

[TheDuke1]

New hot brewer on the loose!

Just call him mint jelly, because he's on the lamb.



I'll see myself out.

 

[FTowne1]

Seriously cant wait for FTowne's Reserve Society. Crooked Stave's cancellation couldnt have come at a better time!

New hot brewer on the loose!

My Steele Reserve society should be up and running by the end of October. First batch will only yield about 2.5 gallons, so you'll have to act fast!

 

[Previously]

My Steele Reserve society should be up and running by the end of October. First batch will only yield about 2.5 gallons, so you'll have to act fast!

So rare. Understood. I know youre a busy busy man and still a 1-man operation. Any insider info into other benefits available to society members?

 

[mixed_master7]

So rare. Understood. I know youre a busy busy man and still a 1-man operation. Any insider info into other benefits available to society members?

Custom martini glasses.

 

[FTowne1]

So rare. Understood. I know youre a busy busy man and still a 1-man operation. Any insider info into other benefits available to society members?

Patience!......

Once I collect the funds from the first year members, I plan on setting up a minimum of 6 Mr. Beer brew kits. This means several varieties of mediocre brew ranging from "Green Apple Steam Beer" to "Ooops! I forgot the hops!"

 

[cosmicevan]

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"

pete27lax

 

[Der Fuchs]

is the new mama bears sour cherry pie different from the previously released sour cherry pie (which i thought became bbn cherry orgins)?

 

[csano]

Two new beers for Crooked Stave fans to celebrate Mr. B's 5-year anniversary.

For our anniversary, we wanted this release to be extraordinarily special to you as this landmark for Mr. B's is to us. We present to you, "Batonnage". For this project, instead of using typical bourbon, red wine, or white wine barrels, we decided it was important to acquire something unique. We chose white wine barrels, but the barrels we tracked down are not your everyday chardonnay barrels. Tablas Creek Winery produces wines featuring only the classic varietals used in the Rhone River Valley in the south of France. So the white wine barrels we acquired were used for blending and contained white wine varietals such as Marsanne, Rousanne, Viognier, and Grenache Blanc. As far as I know, barrels containing white Rhone varietals have never been used in barrel-aging beer. The barrels were freshly drained then immediately shipped to Crooked Stave. Onto the beer that we aged in these barrels: a blend of roughly 75% L'Brett d'Or, 20% Surette, and 5% Vieille.

Hnnnngggh.

 

[JohnfromPurdue]

Two new beers for Crooked Stave fans to celebrate Mr. B's 5-year anniversary.

Hnnnngggh.

Guess I picked a good weekend to go out to Denver, screw GABF... Mr. B's/Crooked stave bottles, CS Batch 100, Rumpkin, Odell's Oktoberfest pig roast, and hopefully there is some Pump[ky]n laying around.

 

[DenverBeerDrinker]

Guess I picked a good weekend to go out to Denver, screw GABF... Mr. B's/Crooked stave bottles, CS Batch 100, Rumpkin, Odell's Oktoberfest pig roast, and hopefully there is some Pump[ky]n laying around.

Pump[ky]n hasn't hit stores yet but wouldn't be surprised to see it by the beginning of the week

 

[Der Fuchs]

Two new beers for Crooked Stave fans to celebrate Mr. B's 5-year anniversary.


Hnnnngggh.

safe to assume these are being bottled?