Spearhead

heebes · Post by **heebes** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 6:08 pm

Announcemt that their next beer is a IIPA.

What are your thoughts on the first two offerings of the brewer itself. Gimmick? Buisness cash driven marketing brewery? True craft and passion?

PeenSteen · Post by **PeenSteen** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 6:48 pm

Can't wait to see what glass they make for this one is going to be

liamt07 · Post by **liamt07** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:24 pm

Marketing brewery.

Hawaiian Style was awesome when in debuted, and now it's a watered down shadow of itself. Other beers are just above average, but nothing to seek out.[/quote]

Droogy · Post by **Droogy** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:40 pm

liamt07 wrote:Marketing brewery.

I've been hearing this term lately... Can you elaborate?

I would argue if a brewery isn't a good marketer they won't be around very long.

groulxsome · Post by **groulxsome** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 12:23 am

liamt07 wrote:Marketing brewery.

Hawaiian Style was awesome when in debuted, and now it's a watered down shadow of itself. Other beers are just above average, but nothing to seek out.

[/quote]

Weird position. When I first moved to Toronto, HSPA was one of the first beers I had from "here." I was great, a the cloak and dagger in May of 2011.

I'va always only had Spearhead early since (I've added both of the other two to untapped), and been happy with them. They make nice beers, kinda hyped in style and kinda off-beat, but nice beers. They are all better before they hit production.

The IIPA? I'd be 94 points before hitting Cool, 88 after,,,? Whatever, fine, I'll still be ok... We'll debate the marketing, but another Ontario IIPA is great in my opinion.

TheSevenDuffs · Post by **TheSevenDuffs** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 6:58 am

PeenSteen wrote:Can't wait to see what glass they make for this one is going to be

It can't possibly be more awkward looking that that the Moroccan Brown Ale glass...

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 12:15 pm

TheSevenDuffs wrote:
PeenSteen wrote:Can't wait to see what glass they make for this one is going to be
It can't possibly be more awkward looking that that the Moroccan Brown Ale glass...

Has Spearhead actually made different glasses for all of their beers? I've only seen the tulip style one they launched with, which is a decent glass.

TheSevenDuffs · Post by **TheSevenDuffs** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:26 pm

GregClow wrote:
TheSevenDuffs wrote:
PeenSteen wrote:Can't wait to see what glass they make for this one is going to be
It can't possibly be more awkward looking that that the Moroccan Brown Ale glass...
Has Spearhead actually made different glasses for all of their beers? I've only seen the tulip style one they launched with, which is a decent glass.

There's been at least two: the one you mentioned and an odd-shaped tulip-like glass for the Moroccan Brown. I can't speak for the Belgian Stout as I haven't had that one.

JeffPorter · Post by **JeffPorter** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:18 pm

GregClow wrote:
Has Spearhead actually made different glasses for all of their beers? I've only seen the tulip style one they launched with, which is a decent glass.

When they had their launch at the different bars they were nice enough to give me a glass. It's one of my go to glass these days for a lot of beers.

HSPA might not be my go to beer these days, and I haven't been blown away by their other beers, but they do seem to be making an honest effort and trying new beer styles.

El Pinguino · Post by **El Pinguino** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 1:59 am

Haven't had the Hawaiian one for some time....curious now to see if it has been dumbed down, as I quite enjoyed it originally.

Chances are a good marketing company that can sell beer will survive longer than a good beer company that can't market themselves. Ideally good beer and good marketing go hand in hand.

Hopefully their IIPA impresses.

liamt07 · Post by **liamt07** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 10:32 am

Droogy wrote:
liamt07 wrote:Marketing brewery.
I've been hearing this term lately... Can you elaborate?

I would argue if a brewery isn't a good marketer they won't be around very long.

I think the focus is more on the marketing than on the product itself. With only three total beers being rolled out from this company in almost 2 years (I think), I would've hoped that the products were a little...better?

Tapsucker · Post by **Tapsucker** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 1:49 pm

IMHO - I think they are a better brewer than marketer. Yes they make a lot of noise, but I think they may be going about it the wrong way.

Case in point. The Hawaiian IPA. I initially avoided trying it because they were pushing the pineapple angle and I don't much like fruit in my beer. Once I was persuaded, by an employee of the brewery in fact, I found it to be a decent IPA and have enjoyed it on many occasions. I have come across lots of people who have turned their nose up at the pineapple suggestion, even though you would have to be told it is in their to detect it.

The same happened with the Moroccan Brown. The whole nuts and figs adjunct pitch turned me right off. This time I stepped up an made myself at least try it. I'm glad I did. Again, the adjuncts don't leave that much of a signature and again I see people turn their nose up at it because of what they think it will be like.

If they were clever marketers, they would realize that the approach they have taken wasn't so clever after all and they would back off on leading with their gimmick. Sometimes it's best to do what it takes to get people to like your product before you preach what's in it. Both of these beers could very easily reach a larger audience, but they seem to remain in a niche due to the messaging and the price points.

sprague11 · Post by **sprague11** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:32 pm

I like the Hawaiian enough on tap, but after witnessing one of their marketing guys trashing a couple (better) other Ontario Craft Brewers at a downtown bar I've been very reluctant to spend my money on their product.

TheSevenDuffs · Post by **TheSevenDuffs** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:43 pm

sprague11 wrote:I like the Hawaiian enough on tap, but after witnessing one of their marketing guys trashing a couple (better) other Ontario Craft Brewers at a downtown bar I've been very reluctant to spend my money on their product.

Classy...

matt7215 · Post by **matt7215** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:55 pm

i dont like the hawaiian style all that much, and its way overpriced not to mention inferior to most other ontario IPAs

i like the "brewery" that makes it even less