Beer

[HooperScooper]

Edit speaking of Trillium, they just posted today about how they’re getting ready to open a location in North Stonington, by Mystic

Trillium is planning to open a farmhouse brewery in Connecticut | Boston.com

 

[Dove]

I tried them at the Two Roads beerfest back in May, and their stuff was terrible. Tasted nothing like beer.

Seriously? What did it taste like?

 

[Rocktheworld]

Trillium is planning to open a farmhouse brewery in Connecticut | Boston.com

Next to Modern Times, I can’t think of a brewery that has just exploded in popularity and success over a 5 year span (these last 5 specifically) as has Trillium

 

[HuskyHawk]

Next to Modern Times, I can’t think of a brewery that has just exploded in popularity and success over a 5 year span (these last 5 specifically) as has Trillium

Modern Times exploded in popularity? I haven't been impressed with them at all.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Modern Times exploded in popularity? I haven't been impressed with them at all.

We’ve gone over this. Unless you’re out here drinking their small batches and limited can releases, you can’t really comment.

They have an exceptional brewery/restaurant in downtown LA, a large brewery in Portland, have a second location in the city of SD in North Park, are set to open a new tap room/restaurant up in the county in downtown Encinitas over the next 10-12 weeks, and recently broke ground on a location in Anaheim. All in their 5ish years of existence. They have been massively successful.

They have the clout of having just put on their fourth annual Festival of Dankness which attracted nationally known breweries including Other Half, Great Notion, Monkish, and Russian River. Also got Cloudwater to come across the pond.

I’m sorry but I doubt Trillium, as much as I love them having been a fan since they were just a few months old, have accomplished quite as much. I haven’t been in the Northeast in 3 years now so I may be wrong, but I am loosely connected to Trillium through my girl, whose close friend does regional sales for Harpoon, whose boyfriend works the warehouse for Trillium

 

[8893]

I am loosely connected to Trillium through my girl, whose close friend does regional sales for Harpoon, whose boyfriend works the warehouse for Trillium

Yes, but do any of them work at the carwash? And what can they tell us about conference realignment?

 

[August_West]

We’ve gone over this. Unless you’re out here drinking their small batches and limited can releases, you can’t really comment.

They have an exceptional brewery/restaurant in downtown LA, a large brewery in Portland, have a second location in the city of SD in North Park, are set to open a new tap room/restaurant up in the county in downtown Encinitas over the next 10-12 weeks, and recently broke ground on a location in Anaheim. All in their 5ish years of existence. They have been massively successful.

They have the clout of having just put on their fourth annual Festival of Dankness which attracted nationally known breweries including Other Half, Great Notion, Monkish, and Russian River. Also got Cloudwater to come across the pond.

I’m sorry but I doubt Trillium, as much as I love them having been a fan since they were just a few months old, have accomplished quite as much. I haven’t been in the Northeast in 3 years now so I may be wrong, but I am loosely connected to Trillium through my girl, whose close friend does regional sales for Harpoon, whose boyfriend works the warehouse for Trillium

West Coast IPA.

LOL

 

[Rocktheworld]

Yes, but do any of them work at the carwash? And what can they tell us about conference realignment?

I was very close to closing that with “basically I am to Trillium as Chief is to UConn MBB”

 

[Rocktheworld]

West Coast IPA.

LOL

Fail

 

[August_West]

We’ve gone over this. Unless you’re out here drinking their small batches and limited can releases

I mean that sounds so dumb.

So what you are saying is that "yeah they make and sell dreck to the masses, but man you gotta try the small batch stuff"


What kind of business sense does that make?

Why don't they just make the best beer they can make all the time?

Something is not adding up here.

I can only assume that your known hipster tendencies fog you from the reality I just summarized. I could sell you a turd out of my toilet if I labeled it as "small batch, limited can release"

 

[8893]

I could sell you a turd out of my toilet if I labeled it as "small batch, limited can release"

...from the Festival of Dankness...

 

[HooperScooper]

West Coast IPA.

LOL

I've never had any Modern Times beers but using Untappd as a resource it looks like they've released a lot of incredible stouts but in general their IPAs aren't as highly rated. A couple decent ones (in the 4.3 range) but not a lot over 4.

 

[Rocktheworld]

I mean that sounds so dumb.

So what you are saying is that "yeah they make and sell dreck to the masses, but man you gotta try the small batch stuff"

Been over this as well ITT.

What kind of business sense does that make?

Makes enough sense that they’ll be up to 6 locations within 6 years of starting

Why don't they just make the best beer they can make all the time?

Something is not adding up here.

Maybe ask Russian River who, decades in, still don’t distribute enough of your beloved Pliny

 

[storrsroars]

I can only assume that your known hipster tendencies fog you from the reality I just summarized. I could sell you a turd out of my toilet if I labeled it as "small batch, limited can release"

It's all about the packaging and marketing. The allacoprophagia market is pretty small, but fecal implants are trending up so you could think of doing a DIY kit. If so, you'd be advised to shoot a video of someone receiving the package, documenting a step-by-step opening of the packaging and posting such YT, Insta and Snap. I bet there's at least one BYer here who'd buy some.

 

[August_West]

Maybe ask Russian River who, decades in, still don’t distribute enough of your beloved Pliny

I don't like Pliny any more. Well I like it still actually, but it has just been passed by while everyone else improves.

A New England brewers pet dog can make a better IPA these days.

 

[Rocktheworld]

I don't like Pliny any more. Well I like it still actually, but it has just been passed by while everyone else improves.

A New England brewers pet dog can make a better IPA these days.

I’ll be at GABF in a couple weekends. We will see who places in the new Hazy categories

Regardless you need to do yourself a favor and stop perseverating on this notion that I’ve been talking about West Coast style

 

[8893]

I don't like Pliny any more. Well I like it still actually, but it has just been passed by while everyone else improves.

A New England brewers pet dog can make a better IPA these days.

I had a Pliny a couple weeks ago for the first time in a year or two. Tasted pretty awesome to me.

There is a Fuzzy Baby Ducks bar crawl in New Haven this weekend as part of New Haven Beer Week. Each bar has a different version. I may tag along with a buddy to sample them.

 

[August_West]

I had a Pliny a couple weeks ago for the first time in a year or two. Tasted pretty awesome to me.

There is a Fuzzy Baby Ducks bar crawl in New Haven this weekend as part of New Haven Beer Week. Each bar has a different version. I may tag along with a buddy to sample them.

Not me.
I will be throwing down a 2.5 hour 11 PM Saturday night festival slot set right after Lettuce at wormtown.

 

[8893]

Not me.
I will be throwing down a 2.5 hour 11 PM Saturday night festival slot set right after Lettuce at wormtown.

Love Lettuce. Sweet gig. Break a leg. I am targeting a show at Cafe Nine that night; other friends are going for Ziggy Marley at College Street.

 

[HuskyHawk]

We’ve gone over this. Unless you’re out here drinking their small batches and limited can releases, you can’t really comment.

They have an exceptional brewery/restaurant in downtown LA, a large brewery in Portland, have a second location in the city of SD in North Park, are set to open a new tap room/restaurant up in the county in downtown Encinitas over the next 10-12 weeks, and recently broke ground on a location in Anaheim. All in their 5ish years of existence. They have been massively successful.

They have the clout of having just put on their fourth annual Festival of Dankness which attracted nationally known breweries including Other Half, Great Notion, Monkish, and Russian River. Also got Cloudwater to come across the pond.

I’m sorry but I doubt Trillium, as much as I love them having been a fan since they were just a few months old, have accomplished quite as much. I haven’t been in the Northeast in 3 years now so I may be wrong, but I am loosely connected to Trillium through my girl, whose close friend does regional sales for Harpoon, whose boyfriend works the warehouse for Trillium

Well they are building their 3rd (technically 4th since the Boston brewery is being being moved/replaced/expanded) brewery soon in CT. They also have a warm weather only location on the Greenway in Boston that was so successful the city expanded the concept. All with effectively close to zero distribution. So about 98% of their beer sales are at the brewery. To this day, even on a normal weekday, the parking lot will have license plates from multiple states. Same at Treehouse and Hill Farmstead.

It's really a different market and model. I'm not sure they are directly comparable. I do hear very good things about Monkish and Cellarmaker. Opening a new tap room is a minor thing compared to building an entire additional (higher capacity) brewery. The model in the west focuses on tap room/bar/restaurant plus good beer. The model in New England is about beer, just beer and you may not even get to drink any. Treehouse still has lines in hundreds of people just to buy cans. And it is in the middle of nowhere.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Not me.
I will be throwing down a 2.5 hour 11 PM Saturday night festival slot set right after Lettuce at wormtown.

You're playing at Wormtown? Outside? Where is there room for more than a guy and an acoustic guitar?

 

[Dove]

Love Lettuce. Sweet gig. Break a leg. I am targeting a show at Cafe Nine that night; other friends are going for Ziggy Marley at College Street.

Uhhh...it's STEEL PULSE and Ziggy Marley.

 

[8893]

Uhhh...it's STEEL PULSE and Ziggy Marley.

Yep. Sorry. Great double bill; have seen and like both. Just not what I'm in for that night.

 

[August_West]

What/where is wormtown? I'd come see you play again.

Greenfield, Mass. Near brattleboro.

But you dont have to go that far. Playing BRYAC friday.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Greenfield, Mass. Near brattleboro.

But you dont have to go that far. Playing BRYAC friday.

Given the thread...I was thinking of the brewery.

 

[August_West]

You're playing at Wormtown? Outside? Where is there room for more than a guy and an acoustic guitar?

Its a festival they put on in Camp kewannee.

heres a look from our set a couple years ago. There is room........

 

[Rocktheworld]

Well they are building their 3rd (technically 4th since the Boston brewery is being being moved/replaced/expanded) brewery soon in CT. They also have a warm weather only location on the Greenway in Boston that was so successful the city expanded the concept. All with effectively close to zero distribution. So about 98% of their beer sales are at the brewery. To this day, even on a normal weekday, the parking lot will have license plates from multiple states. Same at Treehouse and Hill Farmstead.

It's really a different market and model. I'm not sure they are directly comparable. I do hear very good things about Monkish and Cellarmaker. Opening a new tap room is a minor thing compared to building an entire additional (higher capacity) brewery. The model in the west focuses on tap room/bar/restaurant plus good beer. The model in New England is about beer, just beer and you may not even get to drink any. Treehouse still has lines in hundreds of people just to buy cans. And it is in the middle of nowhere.

Some fair points here. I was only aware of Fort Point and Canton, and the pop-up on the Greenway. Where's the third brewery, if this CT one will be the fourth?

I just want to reiterate that LA and Portland are full breweries that brew their own stuff which then make their way to the other locations. And as Auggie brought up, they aren't distributing the stuff that has made them popular (hazies, sours, and stouts) either

And nah, the vast majority of SoCal breweries are not focused on food, and most are not very bar-like. The vast majority of the places are large industrial-like buildings with taps of the stuff they brew. Sure, plenty hire food trucks to show up, but that's hardly a focus on food. And besides, yes, opening and maintaining success with a taproom can be difficult in such a saturated market like SoCal. Duckfoot just opened a new location in downtown SD and I'm worried it won't go super well for them

 

[HuskyHawk]

Some fair points here. I was only aware of Fort Point and Canton, and the pop-up on the Greenway. Where's the third brewery, if this CT one will be the fourth?

I just want to reiterate that LA and Portland are full breweries that brew their own stuff which then make their way to the other locations. And as Auggie brought up, they aren't distributing the stuff that has made them popular (hazies, sours, and stouts) either

And nah, the vast majority of SoCal breweries are not focused on food, and most are not very bar-like. The vast majority of the places are large industrial-like buildings with taps of the stuff they brew. Sure, plenty hire food trucks to show up, but that's hardly a focus on food. And besides, yes, opening and maintaining success with a taproom can be difficult in such a saturated market like SoCal. Duckfoot just opened a new location in downtown SD and I'm worried it won't go super well for them

Trillium is Fort Point and Canton, but the old Fort Point (no taps, no tasting on site) is being replaced by a new brewery in Fort Point that should be more like Canton. Then they will add CT. Mrs. T has said previously that the goal of the CT location is to incorporate a farm, where they could then grow their own hops.

If most in CA are industrial with taps and food trucks, then that's similar to most of them here. I'd just suggest that on premise consumption is not the focus here in most of the cases. It's a tiny portion of sales at the brewery. Jack's Abby has a gorgeous place with 24 taps and food and a ton of space. Nightshift does a lot of on premise consumption, and Foam in Burlington does. But by way of example, there is none at Alchemist really (which is odd given it is in Stowe where it would be a hit). Treehouse is about to expand that element. I am hoping the new Lawson's brewery will have some nice on premise options.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Trillium is Fort Point and Canton, but the old Fort Point (no taps, no tasting on site) is being replaced by a new brewery in Fort Point that should be more like Canton. Then they will add CT. Mrs. T has said previously that the goal of the CT location is to incorporate a farm, where they could then grow their own hops.

Gotcha, I thought you implied that the CT would be the fourth. But yeah I saw them post about expanding Fort Point, which is amazing to hear. Sadly I doubt it’ll be good to go by the time I’m in town mid-November.

If most in CA are industrial with taps and food trucks, then that's similar to most of them here. I'd just suggest that on premise consumption is not the focus here in most of the cases. It's a tiny portion of sales at the brewery. Jack's Abby has a gorgeous place with 24 taps and food and a ton of space. Nightshift does a lot of on premise consumption, and Foam in Burlington does. But by way of example, there is none at Alchemist really (which is odd given it is in Stowe where it would be a hit). Treehouse is about to expand that element. I am hoping the new Lawson's brewery will have some nice on premise options.

I hear that. I know people here in the industry, especially at Half Door brewery by Petco Park. Full restaurant, and full bar as well actually (one of very few I know; Ballast Point has their own spirits offshoot Cutwater and they have a full bar and restaurant in Miramar). And I know that servers routinely go home with more money than the bartenders.

And yeah, most of these breweries are started by people who don’t have much money, so all they can really afford is what I described. Then with licensing and coding and everything for restaurants, isn’t worth the hassle, at least at first (and I have a feeling it may affect growler fills too). Especially given how many good trucks there are around the county, it’s way easier to have them come by. Everyone makes their own good money

 

[HooperScooper]

Gotcha, I thought you implied that the CT would be the fourth. But yeah I saw them post about expanding Fort Point, which is amazing to hear. Sadly I doubt it’ll be good to go by the time I’m in town mid-November.

I was at Trillium in Fort Point the other day and they told me the new restaurant/tap room at 50 Thomson Place was going to open in late October.