When we’re right, we’re right. And this, we suppose, is a chance to own up to that. It’s sort of a “They told us so…but we didn’t listen now did we?” It wasn’t broken. Yet, being who we are, we couldn’t resist the urge to tinker. To mess with the “well enough” and not leave it alone. We won’t apologize, anymore than a lion would apologize for downing a gazelle, an orca would apologize for munching a seal, or marauding space aliens would apologize for enslaving humanity as dinner.
You see, sometimes we don’t notice just how right we are. But you’ve reminded us. And we got the message. Hard.
We recently announced the “Odd Beers for Odd Years” idea that explained the concept that in the “odd year” of 2011 we were going to release so-called “odd” versions of Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine and Stone Imperial Russian Stout. We thought it was a pretty cool and fun idea.
Many of you thought that idea was only slightly preferable to humanity being enslaved by space aliens. Some even wondered if that’s what had actually already happened to us at Stone (to which we say “No, that’s not happened,” but truth be told how can you really know.) So then, what are we so right about? Well, it turns out we were already right…before the Odd Years idea. Cue: About face. Sorta.
To recap: we’ve now decided to go ahead and release the – dare we say – ‘classic’ versions of Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine (the OG OG?) and Stone Imperial Russian Stout. And, just so we don’t have to embarrass our moms with a complete retraction, we’re ALSO going to release the “Odd Beers” versions, starting with the Stone Old Guardian Belgo Barley Wine in February 2011.
Yes, we realize that some conspiracy-theorist is going to think we had this idea all along and that we were only just whipping everyone into a frenzy to get attention (as if we could do that more than some folks do it to themselves). That’s OK, they’re probably also the ones that think we’ve been commandeered by space aliens.
Comments
Submitted by Brian on December 20, 2010 - 2:40pm
Sounds like I'll be buying twice as much Stone Barleywine in 2011.
Damn crafty space aliens.
Submitted by Overlord on December 20, 2010 - 2:55pm
This course correction has been met with approval. Carry on.
Submitted by The Brew Guru on December 20, 2010 - 3:32pm
Well before you announced the odd years concept, I had always wondered what would happen if a brewery abandoned the traditional idea of beer releases. On the retail/on-premise side I have noticed a slowing effect that plagues all the seasonal releases. The first year of a new seasonal everyone is eager to try out the new offering. The subsequent years there are less frequent new trials and more people returning (or not returning) to an old favorite.
Lagunitas has started to experiment with the "one off" seasonal idea (their Little Sumpin' ... series). As far as I can see "the people" seem to like the plan of Sumpin' new every year. Looks like I'll have to wait a little longer to see someone else try the "every few years" concept on a larger scale.
Kudos to Stone for listening to the customer base (too few companies do this). In the future I hope to see you not only keep pushing the boundaries of brewing, but also push the ideas regarding sales methods.
Submitted by The Z Tuna on December 20, 2010 - 3:49pm
Thank you for not messing with IRS, this has been some of the best news I have heard all week, and it's been a long week! It means a lot that you guys really do listen to your customers, so Thank you again. I will be in ASAP to fill my growlers.
Submitted by Stonepurist on December 20, 2010 - 5:15pm
I'd like to think I had somewhat of a hand in this decision being made, but prolly not. And Overlord, just so were clear, this has been approved by F.U.C.T., right?
Submitted by Cabbage on December 20, 2010 - 5:32pm
Thank god.
Submitted by Grego on December 20, 2010 - 7:04pm
Listening to your customers is a good thing. Don't forget, though, that people are 2 billion times more likely (official statistic) to let you know when they're unhappy as when they're happy. I'd like to subvert the norm: y'all rock. Keep on doing what you're doing and people--I promise--will drink it anyway. Because you make awesome beer. Thanks.
Submitted by Dr Will on December 20, 2010 - 7:13pm
Wow amazing news. Thank you for listening, and proving once and for all that Stone cares about their customers.
Submitted by Triple E on December 20, 2010 - 7:40pm
Damn, I kind of liked the idea, but trying both side by side isn't so bad either. I have a couple Lucky Bastards waiting to be tried with their counterparts as it is.
That said, I wouldn't mind seeing the 12th anniversary beer make a reappearance either. That stuff was the bomb!
Submitted by Ray on December 21, 2010 - 11:52am
Thank you, Stone. My Februarys will continue to have meaning.
Submitted by Scotty Bailey on December 23, 2010 - 12:31am
Hey that's awesome! Now I can do a taste comparison! YAY!
Submitted by Sterny on January 14, 2011 - 12:07pm
Oh, now I realize I should've never posted my last comment, and I need to change my Facebook status. Stone Brewery, you have destroyed and saved my year in a span of mere minutes.
Submitted by Bradd in Spokane on March 20, 2011 - 11:43pm
I am just finishing my first bottle of the Old Guardian Belgo. It will not be my last. Delicious. It has a bit of the delicacy of a good Belgian, with the depth and intensity of a hoppy barleywine. I will be buying more.
Submitted by Daniel on December 20, 2010 - 2:39pm
I can't wait to try 'em side by side!
I'd like to see ya'll mess with your Anniversary beers some more (or remake the 10th).