I can't get no...
Apr 07, 2025
What's Up?
Well, if this week is the Donald's definition of going "very well", we'd be just a touch nervous to see what "very bad" looks like... Humm - that said as we run into the so-called "Awful April" we've actually had the busiest week of the year so far - the weather has helped I think, but so has the nature of the Moondance at the moment which seems to be truly singing, and besides we (breweries and pubs) won't feel full financial pain for another few weeks.
Dunno if like me, you would watch those old adverts that had that odd catchphrase "not available in any shops" - with the idea of creating a sense of urgency for phone or mail order only things [yes young people, that was a thing once] - anyway they'd make me think that wasn't a great idea, and never really felt the urgency myself.
Also, what hasn't been a great idea is running out of Satisfaction every 2 minutes... I mean, a nice problem to have, but it will have you signing the lyrics to the song, - "I try and I try and and I try but I can't get no..." not pulling the pints! Anyway, the good news is it has graduated. We've now done about four or five brews of it on the small kit and sold out within a day or so - so we are moving to the next level, and we're doing a full-half brew [if that makes sense at all?]. Your challenge is of course to make sure we sell out again soon!
Lady Eleanor is nearly ready and ... Oh my giddy Aunt. Shipping end of next week. Pavlov's dog just typing this!
What's On?
Beer SWAP stuff with Milton Brewery going well - very good feedback so far - let us know if want to try some
Nike - 4.7% Ruby Nike - Milton Brewery - UntappdMinerva - 4.6% Golden Minerva - Milton Brewery - UntappdPegasus - 4.1% Copper Pegasus - Milton Brewery - Untappd
Meanwhile, from us...
What's about?
I guess we are increasingly... In terms of distribution, we obviously prefer direct to you and working with you - but further akin to the "not available in any shops" [sorry you do have to be of a certain age (old if you are a bloke, "29 {again}" if a lady) to get that one thing above, we sell a few other ways...
We are early adaptors into the Independent Pub Club, we list our products on Eebria, we sell bottles via our website and via The Best of British Beer, we do some small wholesale with Kent Brewery, Waveny Ales and Cider, AlesRRuss, Best Cask and soon to be Dayla, we are on SIBA , Stonegate and the Beer Company, the Keg Company and others... Anyway, the reason I write this is that we have just signed up with Sellar - and wondered if you had any experience of working with them.
To me, I get the concept of Sellar - I don't love it as I think with a handmade product you should have real customer relationships and from a business side I can't qute see how it works out for them [not my problem admittedly but something to be wary of]. My view is it would be rolled out kind of as a loss making "freemium" service for purchasers, then they will cut expenses [people] and sell to private equity who will then try and charge you for it - or charge us even more. There is an element of it that is a "solution seeks promlem" to me, but there you go. Do you have any view on it or strenuously desire that we don't let them know we deal with you on it?
Hope we can bring you some beer next week and that folks are thirsty in the sunshine.
Very best for the weekend,
Xen
P.S. On problems and solutions... With an element that might just remind some of you who have the misfortune of dealing with some of the authorities we deal with... This one ties in the notion of solutions looking for problems and the lovely fun we are having with planning at the moment!
There's a big hole in a street that caused so many accidents and a lot of deaths; the Council Planning Department held a meeting with the most intelligent people of the town to discuss solutions for this problem.
The first wise sage suggests putting an ambulance next to the hole, so whenever an accident happens, the victims can be transported to the hospital for swift treatment to avoid fatalities...
The second brainiac points out that there may be a scenario where a big accident happens while the ambulance is busy transporting victims of another accident, etc. His solution? Put 10 ambulances instead of just one...
The third interrupts and raises concerns about the prices of fuel, the impact on the environment and transport congestions risks and how building a hospital next to the hole would possibly cost less in the long run...
That's when the Council Planners interrupt them and tell them that whilst they appreciate the practical feedback such a solution is very expensive, and instead they have decided to fill the hole ... and dig it back in front of the town's existing hospital!
The first wise sage suggests putting an ambulance next to the hole, so whenever an accident happens, the victims can be transported to the hospital for swift treatment to avoid fatalities...
The second brainiac points out that there may be a scenario where a big accident happens while the ambulance is busy transporting victims of another accident, etc. His solution? Put 10 ambulances instead of just one...
The third interrupts and raises concerns about the prices of fuel, the impact on the environment and transport congestions risks and how building a hospital next to the hole would possibly cost less in the long run...
That's when the Council Planners interrupt them and tell them that whilst they appreciate the practical feedback such a solution is very expensive, and instead they have decided to fill the hole ... and dig it back in front of the town's existing hospital!
Too close to the bone/truth?
Have a good week!
Xen
