Ames Lager

NWICY

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Sep 2, 2012
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That is the problem. Their production and distribution capacity is not enough to handle this kind of partnership with this kind of demand and volume. This makes for a poor partnership, something that should have been considered when both sides entered into this.

There should have at least been a plan in place to significantly increase production to the volumes needed in the near future.

If I remember they were adding production I think it is was supposed to be on line in Nov? Also you want to have partners that want to do it. I applaud Bluhm for finding and working with companies and individuals who want to support ISU athletics and supply us a quality product to enjoy/use.
 

2speedy1

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Jan 4, 2014
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Just FYI, West O was the only larger brewer that had any interest in partnering with us to begin with. The others we approached were concerned about upsetting Iowa fans. West O has been awesome from the get go. The last three months we have outsold the Swarm in sales. Production is ramping up and the distributors are starting to realize people keep buying it which will help with more shelf space. But please don’t give up looking. It’s been three months since we launched, these things can’t be everywhere overnight. And we have received over $50,000 just from Ames Lager for We Will so it’s definitely having a huge impact. Honestly without the beer projection in revenue, we’d be in a tougher spot in the portal right now, so please keep drinking! (responsibly of course).
Thanks for the info seems there are a lot of brewers that dont want Cyclone business, and are fine with pissing us off. It really seems some areas have better stock than others. I have been to multiple Hyvee liquors in the Northwest metro area and was only able to find the 1 six pack, 1 time since launch.

Also very glad to hear our sales are better than Swarm. Maybe others are right then, that its available everywhere because no one is buying it.

Can you speak to the issue with why ISU decided to license a competitor beer to our own NIL and where the money for that goes? Seems those brewers were not afraid of making the Hoks upset. Also why bars are serving that instead of Ames Lager and telling people it is the NIL beer?

These are Metro area bars, to be clear.
 

NickTheGreat

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Just FYI, West O was the only larger brewer that had any interest in partnering with us to begin with. The others we approached were concerned about upsetting Iowa fans. West O has been awesome from the get go. The last three months we have outsold the Swarm in sales. Production is ramping up and the distributors are starting to realize people keep buying it which will help with more shelf space. But please don’t give up looking. It’s been three months since we launched, these things can’t be everywhere overnight. And we have received over $50,000 just from Ames Lager for We Will so it’s definitely having a huge impact. Honestly without the beer projection in revenue, we’d be in a tougher spot in the portal right now, so please keep drinking! (responsibly of course).
You're too much of a gentleman but I want to know those others. :jimlad:I know Exile is one...
 

cybychoice

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Jun 27, 2014
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Ankeny
Just FYI, West O was the only larger brewer that had any interest in partnering with us to begin with. The others we approached were concerned about upsetting Iowa fans. West O has been awesome from the get go. The last three months we have outsold the Swarm in sales. Production is ramping up and the distributors are starting to realize people keep buying it which will help with more shelf space. But please don’t give up looking. It’s been three months since we launched, these things can’t be everywhere overnight. And we have received over $50,000 just from Ames Lager for We Will so it’s definitely having a huge impact. Honestly without the beer projection in revenue, we’d be in a tougher spot in the portal right now, so please keep drinking! (responsibly of course).
Wow that is shocking to hear. I don’t think exile is very good anyway so I was fine not buying their products, but I might have to exclusively drink West O beer now.
 
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Cycsk

Year-round tailgater
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Pro tip: Don't just "look" for Ames Lager. Ask for it.

Sometimes they have it, but in an odd place. For instance, once I found it on an endcap by the vegetable section of the Ames North Fareway. Or I found a stack in the walk-in cooler, but not in the display coolers.

Also, if they don't have it, offer to pre-order a few cases. That tells them you are serious.
 

brentblum

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Thanks for the info seems there are a lot of brewers that dont want Cyclone business, and are fine with pissing us off. It really seems some areas have better stock than others. I have been to multiple Hyvee liquors in the Northwest metro area and was only able to find the 1 six pack, 1 time since launch.

Also very glad to hear our sales are better than Swarm. Maybe others are right then, that its available everywhere because no one is buying it.

Can you speak to the issue with why ISU decided to license a competitor beer to our own NIL and where the money for that goes? Seems those brewers were not afraid of making the Hoks upset. Also why bars are serving that instead of Ames Lager and telling people it is the NIL beer?

These are Metro area bars, to be clear.
I’m guessing those bars just don’t know the difference. We’re still trying to inform Iowa State fans as well that Ames Lager is the only beer that supports NIL. Iowa State and its corporate rights holder Learfield have a business to run themselves and they reached a separate agreement with Backpocket for the clone fest and IPA. They have budgets to meet as well and hopefully there’s enough beer drinkers to support all. Thanks for your great feedback!
 
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NorthCyd

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Wow that is shocking to hear. I don’t think exile is very good anyway so I was fine not buying their products, but I might have to exclusively drink West O beer now.
Their Smoked Red and Coco Stout are pretty good and you can usually find those in Hy-Vee. I try to support them with their other beers as well as Ames Lager.
 

1UNI2ISU

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Jan 30, 2013
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Waterloo
I’ve heard from multiple Iowa fans that they absolutely hate the swarm beer. Probably why you see some much inventory, they can’t get rid of it.
Both Ames Lager and Prowl (the UNI NIL beer from SingleSpeed) are light years better than Swarm. Not even close.
 
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fcclone

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Their Smoked Red and Coco Stout are pretty good and you can usually find those in Hy-Vee. I try to support them with their other beers as well as Ames Lager.
I had never tried West O brews until Ames Lager. Now I pick some up whenever I see it. It is a good beer, especially for us lager fans.

I haven’t, and won’t try Swarm. In fact, I haven’t drank an Exile product since they partnered with the Hawks.
 

Frak

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Apr 27, 2009
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I had never tried West O brews until Ames Lager. Now I pick some up whenever I see it. It is a good beer, especially for us lager fans.

I haven’t, and won’t try Swarm. In fact, I haven’t drank an Exile product since they partnered with the Hawks.
Me either. I thought they were incredibly stupid not making an ISU beer too and pitting them against each other.
 

MountainHigh

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Jul 14, 2020
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Just saw Ames Lager at the Fareway west of 156th and Hickman in Clive/Waukee. I'm an IPA guy but pick up the lager periodically.
 
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Papajets

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I live 25 miles outside of Iowa City. I noticed a Swarm sign on my local convenience store door (small chain, not Caseys) so I mentioned to the manager about carrying Ames Lager. He ordered it and gets a case every week or two which is plenty for me to drink. There are enough Cyclone fans in the area to keep him sold out.
 

hiltonisheaven

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Apr 11, 2006
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Picked up (4) Ames Lager + (1) Hazy at WDM Fareway, near Valley HS. Thanks for the tip on here so I didn’t have to drive all over looking for it. Still trying to get it imported to Oskaloosa but glad I could find it. Left a few on the shelf for the next guy.
Ames Lager was $12.99, tons of Swarm discounted at $8.99. They might have to give it away.
 
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Die4Cy

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Jan 2, 2010
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I quit Exile too, going to try to get some Ames for tonight.
I always used to buy a Ruthie when I found it on tap, it's good. But to be honest, they don't have much of anything else that I've tried that I needed to have again.

Knowing they declined brewing for ISU because they felt it would make UI mad is a ***** move though.

Oh well. Looking forward to exploring more of the many WestO offerings.
 
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