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Belgian wrote: I don't know (please enlighten me otherwise...) the 'choice' may be paying per-store listing fees OR a huge system-wide fee, so they are dealing with a rigid province-wide system which really favors large producers.
There's no listing fee at the LCBO, Belgian. There are a lot of hoops to jump through to get something listed, but that ain't one of em.
Thanks TB. So is one of those 'hoops' some kind of payola? Free trips or other benefits to grease the wheels of progress... I've heard of such unethical dealings among our overseas wine buyers etc. (oh no that would be 'conspiratorial' LOL. Cue the 'eye rolling' emoticon!)
They finally put a stop to such dealing's last year; according to the press release we got. A gift of ANY nature is now deemed illegal - I dare you to offer someone a sweetie the next time you're down at the head office
biegaman wrote:Speaking of which - and not to thread jack - remind me again why we haven't done the Great Divide order #2? Was there some shortage on the brewery end or was it just too much work for those BarTowelers putting it together? I can't remember why it fell through. Either way, I say we have another go at it! There aren't a ton of beers I'd be willing to commit myself to a full case worth but Oak Aged Yeti (or regular Yeti, or Titan IPA, or Old Ruffian) are all exceptions. Plus with all the new members on the board I'm sure we could fill the minimum order much easier.
We thought we should tell you that we are awaiting a response from Great Divide - with their blessing, we will do our best to bring in some of theirs beers as soon as possible. It might have to go through Consignment (that way the producer can get paid before shipping the product).
One way or another, we will keep you posted.
Have a great weekend,
Unfortunately, we do not have any good news. Here is a part of the brewery's response:
"For now, we’re not opening any new markets and are dedicating ourselves to maximizing our momentum in our existing areas."
"Currently, we’re growing at 70+% and, unfortunately, adding more unplanned volume through our brewery could put our ability to fully fill current orders at risk. As you know, taking care of our current customers has to be the first priority."
The former was in reference to importing even just one (consignment) pallet, prepaid before it hits their loading dock and with labeling, paperwork, transportation all taken care of by us...
However, this might change it the near future.
"Perhaps sometime soon, once we’ve added more capacity, our situation will warrant looking closer at Ontario."
biegaman wrote:Speaking of which - and not to thread jack - remind me again why we haven't done the Great Divide order #2? Was there some shortage on the brewery end or was it just too much work for those BarTowelers putting it together? I can't remember why it fell through. Either way, I say we have another go at it! There aren't a ton of beers I'd be willing to commit myself to a full case worth but Oak Aged Yeti (or regular Yeti, or Titan IPA, or Old Ruffian) are all exceptions. Plus with all the new members on the board I'm sure we could fill the minimum order much easier.
We thought we should tell you that we are awaiting a response from Great Divide - with their blessing, we will do our best to bring in some of theirs beers as soon as possible. It might have to go through Consignment (that way the producer can get paid before shipping the product).
One way or another, we will keep you posted.
Have a great weekend,
Unfortunately, we do not have any good news. Here is a part of the brewery's response:
"For now, we’re not opening any new markets and are dedicating ourselves to maximizing our momentum in our existing areas."
"Currently, we’re growing at 70+% and, unfortunately, adding more unplanned volume through our brewery could put our ability to fully fill current orders at risk. As you know, taking care of our current customers has to be the first priority."
The former was in reference to importing even just one (consignment) pallet, prepaid before it hits their loading dock and with labeling, paperwork, transportation all taken care of by us...
However, this might change it the near future.
"Perhaps sometime soon, once we’ve added more capacity, our situation will warrant looking closer at Ontario."
Wow. Well, thank you for trying and hopefully thing do change in the future. What else can you say? Good for Great Divide that they're seeing such tremendous growth, it is great to see that there is such a burgeoning, demanding market for their phenomenal products.
“Well, we had a little challenge two weeks ago when our bottling line broke and put us a bit behind on packaging, but, looking at what we have sold through September year to date thats not the real challenge.
As I told the folks at the dinner this week, the real challenge is that demand for 60 Minute IPA is beyond our ability to supply. We know we are very lucky to have this sorta challenge, but its a challenge none-the-less.
What makes this challenge more ummmm, challenging, for retailers and distributors, is that not only are we unable to catch up with demand for 60 Minute IPA, we are uninterested in catching up with demand for 60 Minute IPA.
We love our IPAs and are very proud of how pungent and distinct they are due to our unique continual-hopping process. But, we are not interested in turning into the ‘60 Minute Brewing Company.’
We are right now finalalizing our 2011 budget. Next year we will make tens of thousands more cases of 60 Minute IPA than we did this year. 60 Minute sales will grow by a double digit percentage in every market we sell beer in. But, we are planning for beers like Indian Brown, Raison DEtre, Squall, Namaste, My Antonia, 90 Minute, Midas, Palo and our seasonals to grow by a bigger percentage than 60 Minute IPA.”
“... What makes this challenge more ummmm, challenging, for retailers and distributors, is that not only are we unable to catch up with demand for 60 Minute IPA, we are uninterested in catching up with demand for 60 Minute IPA.
We love our IPAs and are very proud of how pungent and distinct they are due to our unique continual-hopping process. But, we are not interested in turning into the ‘60 Minute Brewing Company.’
... we are planning for beers like Indian Brown, Raison DEtre, Squall, Namaste, My Antonia, 90 Minute, Midas, Palo and our seasonals to grow by a bigger percentage than 60 Minute IPA.”
For one, there's something to be said for deciding YOUR business path, and not being told WHAT to do by the world. They reject becoming another Sierra Nevada.
And looking broader, the popularity growth of IPA and good craft beer is inevitable, so watch out for the new and emerging brewers to make equally fine IPAs. There's no WAY the vacuum created by unmet demand for DFH 60 will go unfilled.
Imagine if the LCBO brings in our own Red Racer or Little Scrapper to replace the American DFH 60. I'd be plenty happy with Garrison too... this was Cass' plan all along, obviously...
Belgian wrote:They reject becoming another Sierra Nevada.
And looking broader, the popularity growth of IPA and good craft beer is inevitable, so watch out for the new and emerging brewers to make equally fine IPAs. There's no WAY the vacuum created by unmet demand for DFH 60 will go unfilled.
Imagine if the LCBO brings in our own Red Racer or Little Scrapper to replace the American DFH 60.
Thats it exactly. DFH doesn't want to shift production from all their other beers to DFH 60 and become another Sierra Nevada. They are saying "Hey if you can't get DFH 60 try our other beers". They have to realize that craft beer drinkers do not practice brand loyalty as macro beer drinkers do. Steelback Guy mentioned in another area about there being lots of beer out there find something else. Someone will fill that demand which is good for us what is not so good for DFH is their beer just becomes a memory if it ever resurfaces.
Its a fine line to walk with what you want to be and what you will become. You cant be resistant to the changing dynamics of the market.
hopefully it doesnt become a memory but rather a "white whale" so to speak, or rather a catch to find again. i really admire them for saying they're not upping prodcution on it because its just as important to brew their other beers.
whats with all the Sierra Nevada references though? DFH & SN breweries are friends and such (Life & Limb), im sure they are both dedicated to the same craft goals.
did SN pour out a certain beer to meet demand and neglect some of their others?
What I find interesting is what markets DFH have chosen to continue to cultivate, given their production issues. For example, Alberta just recieved new shipments of DFH 60, 90, Indian Brown, Theobroma, Palo Santo Marron, Raison D Etra, Midous Touch and Punkin, either this week or in recent weeks. I have no numbers, but just based on popualtion base and the reach of the LCBO I bet that there are more sales of 60 in Ontario than all the beers available in Alberta combined.
I don't know the status in other provinces, but I'm surprised that DFH didn't cut off several smaller provinces before Ontario. Based on the relative amount of brand growth possible in Ontario relative to other provinces, once the production issues get sorted out, you'd think DFH would have prioritized differently.
Last edited by boney on Fri Oct 15, 2010 7:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
boney wrote:
I don't know the status in other provinces, but I'm surprised that DFH didn't cut off several smaller provinces before Ontario. Based on the relative amount of brand growth possible in Ontario relative to other provinces, once the production issues get sorted out, you'd think DFH would have prioritized differently.
BC Liquor is showing about 937 bottles in stock. Seems I checked when this topic first came up about a month ago and there was about a 1000 in stock. So unless more came in, they sold about 60 thru the whole province.
Shows huge new fermenters arriving at their Delaware Brewery.
If old man winter cooperates, four more of these 600bbl fermentation tanks will be making their way from the Port of Baltimore to our Milton, Delaware brewery (via Route 95/Wilmington) to join these guys. More tanks = more fermentation capacity = more beer!!!
Bitches Brew has made it's way to Alberta in limited quantities............and it's priced around $37.00 a bottle!!!!
Is it really worth that much? Prices on DFH beers in Alberta are a bit steep at the moment; Squall , Theobrama and Chateau Jihaeu (sp) are all priced at $24.99 to $26.99 a bottle.
Free trips or other benefits to grease the wheels of progress... I've heard of such unethical dealings among our overseas wine buyers etc. (oh no that would be 'conspiratorial' LOL. Cue the 'eye rolling' emoticon!)
