2019 Beer Club Renewals

Most likely dropping Bruery RS and that is the only club I'm in. I'm sitting on way too much beer these days and haven't really had an issue finding the bottles I've really wanted lately

 

Currently only a Highland Park Brewery beer member. Added myself to the Cellador waitlist and hoping to get into that though.

 

Only have Bruery RS but considering swapping that out for MT League.

 

I did that last year and was happy that I did. MT is closer to me but have been putting out really good beers across a wide spectrum.

Was wondering if The Bruery corrected themselves over the past year (2017 seemed like a disaster which is why I left) and was worth joining again.

 

I'm hoping to get an invite to the Theory of Leisure again next year.

Just do it. Every year has been much better than the last. They'll destroy your wallet every month though.

 

How tough is it to get in?

 

I like that The Bruery went to 3 choices for RS as I prefer their BA stuff more than sours and able to pick and choose when there is a sour I want to buy into, so thats been nice. But I also have more beer than I need and don't get to the tasting room as often anymore. The best part for me has been the anniversary party.

 

Keeping: Cellador, MT League, Horus

 

I wish I could say for sure. There were a number of factors that went into the invites. I can't find the post where Steven spoke about it

 

Into MT League? Not that difficult, they didn't sell out last year...this tends to go on sale beginning of December or so.

Into MT Theory? Invite-only, typically reserved for their largest spenders but there are other criteria that they use to weigh a person's eligibility. So much like getting into Hoarders....it isn't fully known what all they take into account and how they weigh it vs. spending. What I do like is that once you get in, you aren't guaranteed to stay in, so they re-weigh everyone yearly using whatever criteria they want. I too, am hoping to get an invite, but my spending has been rather subpar this year.

 

Keeping:
-HPB (hoping Chinatown menu gets better over time, missing Herm food)
-De Garde
-Cellador (may drop a tier though from 4th to 2nd/3rd)

On the Fence:
-Bruery Hoarder split

Used to be long term Reserve member, but this year I think I barely purchased a case of Bruery beer, (outside of the hoarders boxes as I guess they technically inflate this number now that I think about it)

 

IIRC several of the factors included: 1) money spent online sales; 2) Money spent in tasting rooms/restaurant/cafe; 3) duration in the League; 4) number of events attended throughout the year; 5) how much you “support” MT in non-monetary ways; and 6) how much/well you’re “known” to MT.

No idea how much they weigh the various factors, or if there are additional factors I forgot about or they didn’t list, but that’s the general gist from what I recall.

 

I thought another one was if you ever parked in the strip club's parking lot next door.

 

Or if another brewery in San Diego names a beer after you... gotta fight for those loyal customers.

 

Hehehe, I am aware of 2 thus far...

my alesmith beer, and one was named over at mikkeller for a buddy. I can only assume that Xul would get one from MT....I mean, I think that even the beer he helped create will be a league-only pour at the upcoming dankness festival iirc.

 

Keeping: LA saints and sinners

Dropping: Bruery Reserve

First year doing Bruery and it’s been a little underwhelming. Haven’t bought as much extra beer as I thought I would.

 

Keeping Casa, love the access to their ipa’s. Also hoping to get a barrel aged stout at the end of 2019.
Keeping cellador, I love the smaller bottle format, allows me to open one and drink it solo and not get heart burn and I can drink multiple beers in a sitting.

 

Keeping:

• American Solera
• de Garde

Adding:

• CCB