Update on Parched Eagle operations in 2018

Greetings all,

I’m writing today to update everyone on the Parched Eagle’s 2018 so far as we head straight towards the end of the year. Basically, from a business perspective it’s a been a tale of two years within one so far:

From the beginning of January through mid-May sales were quite good and we were in the black, starting with an outstanding first quarter (as winter is interestingly our busy season).This culminated with our two anniversary parties in early to mid-May for both of our locations.

Business was so good that in April we were literally running out of beer at both locations as our one barrel brewing system was unable to keep up with demand (a proverbial good problem). So, we pulled the trigger on a two barrel system, which has been serving us quite well as we have gotten the system dialed-in.

We were also planning on having a new contract brewer start brewing 20 barrel batches for us in mid-June, starting with Crane Ale APA. This would have included six packs in bottles.

However as soon as the weather became consistently warm in mid to late May we experienced a precipitous decline in sales (at least 25%) that lasted through the summer and into the fall. We usually experience a lull in the summer, but this year has been especially difficult. This included ill-timed equipment failures in late summer.

As the weather gets colder sales are picking up but, honestly, we are in a financial hole here in mid November. This means that we can’t afford to have a contract brewer come on board for us to help get our products out in the marketplace (a central business goal for this year).

How can you help? Come in to either of our locations to drink our beer! Sounds easy/fun enough, huh? Another way to help is to spread the word about us. We don’t have much of a marketing/advertising budget so word-of-mouth is an important outreach tool for us.

I am quite happy with the beers we have on tap at each location this week, including the return of our namesake  Kölsch last Friday. This is arguably the best batch of our Kölsch yet and nicely rounds out the tap selection at both locales:

Parched Eagle Golden Ale Kölsch

Catcher’s Mitt India Brown Lager

Alferd Black Rye Imperial Saison

Utopian w/Mosaic Imperial IPA

Hop-Bearer w/Mosiac IPA

DIPAer Danky Double IPA

Burgeoning Goth Queen Oatmeal Stout

–Something for everyone, we think (hope). Next up for Black Friday: a very limited release of GERONIMO Imperial Stout at both locales!

And, on Saturday evening our charming Taproom at 1444 E. Wash was visited by fine folks from The Old Fashioned restaurant. They posted this outstanding comment on Instagram on Sunday:

“A shared space. It’s a weird space. But here, it’s about the beer. It’s not about hipster food, rooftop views, retro swag, carefully designed crowler labels, or anything promotional. This place is an epitomization of the full rejection of the phony commercialism currently shrouding beer culture. Here, they lead with exceptional beer, and it stops there.”

I shared this with my main business partner Tom and our outstanding bartender Robert yesterday: we all agreed that this comment sums us up perfectly! To it I add that within the context of our no frills yet nice/comfortable/friendly environs at each location a nice sense of community exists. So, please do come on by!

Cheers,

Jim

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