The way the state laws are with alcohol are so finnicky, but lets hope do everything by the book and get a place around Los Angeles!
Vinnie and Natalie deeply believe in local craft beer. They don't care if Pliny is available in every market in the world. That is not and never was their goal. They would rather that all the wonderful craft brewers all over the USA are supported by their local customers. There is plenty of great beer to be had. Just because Pliny is voted as the greatest in the world doesn't mean you have to try it. If they can make more beer without compromising its quality and increasing their own stress levels to enormous proportions, they will. But they will take their time and do it "right" for them. (Disclaimer: RR is my local pub. I understand why everyone wants Vinnie's brews. They are incredible. But there are other incredible beers out there too...)
Would love to get more RR out here in south eastern PA right outside of Philly. Its extremely hard to get and find any of their beer and when you do find it it cost a premium because majority of the time they are only found at bars so they mark up the $$.
I've done it a few times, not common though. I compare it to BCBS. Why should it be the fault of people from Chicago that I'm willing to trade great beer for stuff they can get off the shelf fairly easily?
Damnation is everywhere. I saw three cases today. Unfortunately I am not a huge fan of damnation at the $5 a bottle price. I would sooner pay $12 a bottle for supplication and do every time I see it. Enjoy
Yea. I could see them trying to infuse more of their local market. It seems like even the locals have a hard time getting their stuff.
14,000 barrels is not a lot of beer. I'll bet they sell 1/2 of that at the pub. No doubt RR could sell a lot more beer but $10,000,000 + is a lot of debt to take on .
If I'm RR and I'm expanding I'm moving it to Upper NJ to cover the whole east coast. Good roads, easy Interstate access in every direction. And tons of highly concentrated beer geeks. So many big cities within a 4-5 hour ride, would cover from Boston to DC.
Everything you said is true as it was in 1950 when AB expanded to Newark NJ. Sierra Nevada considered NJ also. They took one short look at the laws and taxes droped the idea.
RR probably doesn't have the volume and clout to ask for or receive state compensation as motivation to move. Something like AB is a whole different animal even if they were looking to start up in this economy, they would have brought in a ton of revenue and jobs with them..
They should open brewpubs in LA, SF, Portland, SEA, Vegas. Mini brewpubs making small batches of their stuff. Keep in microbrew status, but almost chain like.. I hate chains, but it's RR.
