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SO YOU KNOW – This is an
informational notice from Gallaghers’ Where U Brew to you, our valued friends
and customers.
It is important for you to
understand the current HOP CRISIS and how it effects our business operation and
your participation. We e-mailed out a Seattle P-I article to everyone last
October that spelled out the problem. It was titled: “For
drinkers of craft beer, prices may soon be hopping”.
“A
flower called hops makes beer both flavorful and bitter.
Also
bitter are possible price increases from craft breweries over the next few
months because of a shortage of hops and malt.”
The article went on to
detail the crisis. As we have shockingly found out first hand, it is not only
that the price has sky-rocketed, it is also that hops are literally being
rationed. Our situation has found us calling all possible suppliers, ordering
the maximum allowed under the current conditions and “paying the price”.
Our good friend and
colleague, the only other surviving brew-on-premise in western Washington, Heads
Up in Silverdale, has decided to call it quits. This crisis was more than his
operation could weather. Despite everything, this year has been a spectacular,
banner year and specifically this last November was the best month ever. Your
support and participation has been remarkable.
In the interest of
keeping communications open and honest, we need to let you know how we have
decided to tackle the problem and keep our doors open.
First,
there are several brews on the recipe list that have been temporarily removed
due to their large hop content. Dry-hopping will not be available as in the
past. We can discuss alternatives in advance of your brewing. We will do our
best to keep a supply of as much hop inventory as is possible. We can not
however make any guarantees. We used to do our ordering in pounds; it’s now in
ounces! We will try to keep as wide selection of beer available on our tap
handles. The big IPAs will be sadly missing.
Secondly, we will need
to increase the prices on ALL PRODUCTS effective immediately. Throughout our
nearly 12 year history, beer and wine have together kept the Gallaghers’ Where U
Brew economy going. When one seemed to slow, the other would pick up and carry
us through. Now with this current crisis hitting the beer side most strongly,
we will try to balance out the adverse effects by moderately raising the prices
of our products across the board rather than imposing a devastating increase on
the beer side alone.
Thirdly, is has not
been easy or fun to find ourselves between this rock and a hard place. We ask
for your continued support and encouragement as we attempt to make our way
through this crisis and keep our doors open. Thanks for your support in the
past and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Dennis Gallagher,
brew-master, owner
Gallaghers Where U
Brew
PS – an e-mail
regarding ordering our Limited Edition Wines for 2008 will be coming soon.
