For me (very subjective obviously): Ames Lager > I Will Hazy IPA > Peace Tree Legend > Clone Fest
I have a bottle of the 1858 Vodka but haven't cracked it yet. More of a gin guy.
Ames Lager Update
- Thread starter brentblum
- Start date
I have a bottle of the 1858 Vodka but haven't cracked it yet. More of a gin guy.
It's been available at the Johnston Hy-vee the last couple times I went in there. Not a lot of it, but at least 9-10 six packs.
16 sixers at the Polk City Fareway last night. Fourteen after I stocked up.
Ames Lager is now my go-to beer going forward. I've tried to limit my alcohol consumption to Thursday-Sunday while trying to lose some weight. I only have one or two a week now.
Does this really work in practice? In the early stages of Ames Lager, I visited a few places asking about it, and was basically told that West O stopped sending them beer and too bad so sad basically. Was told by one place to contact West O directly. Didn't seem like there was much urgency on their part to do much of anything.
This is my thing with it too, of all the Cyclone branded beers out there it's bottom of the list for me for taste for what I like to drink. My wife likes it so we still buy it from time to time but the 2 beers Backpocket put out with the Hazy and Clone Fest are far better tasting beers. It has nothing to do with where the money is going to for which ones I prefer to buy, all 4 beers are going to causes that help things ISU related whether that is NIL, ISU Athletics, or the Jack Trice Legacy Foundation.
@brentblum any chance you will work with West O or another brewery to come out with another type of beer that benefits the collective? Doing something like an IPA, Wheat, or even a seasonal brew could increase some sales with more variety to choose from.
If one of them would put out a session IPA it would sell a lot more IMO.
I’ve had the 1858 vodka, Clonefest (Backpocket), Trice Legend Red (PeaceTree) and all are good and would buy more if could find. Have never found Hazy or AmesLager on the shelf. Workers DGAF when asked to stock them.
THIS. Just buy a handle of Everclear. Much more efficient from a $/drunkenness factor.
I think it does to an extent. Going directly to West O helps also, they need all the "ammo" they can get to get a distributor to take their beer on. I was told by someone that works with a distributor in Iowa that some of them are not taking anymore brands on, unless they drop another. When InBev or Molson Coors, etc.. is more than likely responsible for 80% of your sales, you have a built in bias to keep those brands on the self and stocked....I would think now that West O has their system with increased capacity in place, the excuse for "cant get the beer" should be going away.
My father in law was the CFO for a small brewery in Texas. And I can confirm, getting distributors to not only take on your beer, but then advocate for it at supermarkets, bars, restaurants, etc is the single biggest challenge to growth.
I’ve only seen Ames Lager in Hyvee once in September. All the fareway locations in town usually have some.
Beer distribution is a dirty business
I saw the Swarm in the beer fridge and thought I looked on the top shelf last night. You win!
Bought 11 more six packs (plus 2 loose cans) in quad cites on my way home from Mississippi River Distillery to get some bottles of Cody for our annual Harvest party tomorrow night. I wrapped that up Tuesday. Five cents off a gallon fuel savers to for each that I wasn't expecting as well. My kid can use the fuel savings in Ames. I Will roll this out later in the party before the game as will have a couple big screens set up in the shop. I wish I could get a keg. I plan to find a few more six packs. Cant wait!!
Last edited:
