© 2024 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Craft Brewers Tap Into Fear of Missing Out

The line outside Masthead Brewery in Cleveland on Saturday, January 27, to purchase cans of its "One Trick Pony" New England IPA.

The craft beer scene is thriving in Northeast Ohio forcing many local breweries to find new ways to stand out.  While most sell their brews at beer stores and local groceries, a recent trend finds some selling limited edition brews from behind the bar. 


Shelf space at Rozi's is at a premium

On a quiet Saturday morning at Rozi's wine and beer shop in Lakewood, manager Bill Barak marvels at the craft beer scene in Northeast Ohio while straightening up after a Friday night beer tasting.


Bill Barak, Rozi's manager

"Local breweries are the ones that are taking over your shelf space and taking over everything that we have to offer.  You can't keep up.  It's crazy right now," Barak said.

Meanwhile in Ohio City at Platform Brewery it's 10am, but it looks like happy hour as patrons show up for a new barrel-aged beer that you can only purchase at the bar.


Platform Brewery patrons arrive for Can Collective

Platform is kicking off its Can Collective and Mike from Parma was first in line.

"It's a limited edition club, every month you get a different type of beer.  You are guaranteed to get a four pack so you don't have to worry about missing out on it. It's well worth the price.  It's like the difference between going to the movies in the theater and watching the movies at home.  Most movies I can sit and watch at home it's no big deal, but sometimes there's something you just want to see in the theater," he said.

By producing small-batch, high-end beers craft brewers create demand for exclusive offerings with a very limited supply.  Beer lovers are responding.  These 'FOMO' or 'Fear of Missing Out' beers go fast.  Oftentimes they're gone before getting the chance to hit store shelves.  

At 11:30am that same Saturday, a few miles away at Masthead Brewery, a line snakes along Superior Avenue.  Beer lovers hope to purchase the latest New England IPA, brewed for Masthead's one year anniversary.

The line grows outside Masthead Brewery

Phil from Mentor waits patiently.

"I drove from Trumbull County, it was about an hour.  For some beers!  You can only get 'em once, and then they're gone," he said.

"I kinda thought there'd be a line.  I didn't think the line was going to wrap around the block," said Masthead head brewer Mike Pelechaty.

He is inside selling Masthead's One Trick Pony hazy New England IPA.  It's limited, expensive, and gone in less than an hour and a half, 80 cases of it.


Mike Pelechaty, Masthead founder and head brewer

"One of the biggest selling points of craft beer is the novelty.  People don't drink craft beer to have the same thing every day.  They want to have a new experience.  They want to experience new flavors and that is a big part of why people are lining up for this," Pelechaty said.

Justin Hemminger is with the Ohio Craft Brewers Association and in Cleveland for the group's annual conference this week.

"The trend toward limited release, only at the brewery, get-it-while-you-can-brew has really taken off with the growth in the industry.  It's always been a competitive field, but as there are more and more craft breweries in the space, you have to differentiate yourself one way or another," Hemminger said.

Driving the demand is the fact that the local craft beer community is very active on social media.

Platform co-founder Justin Carson knows it's essential to get the word out.


Platform's Can Collective

"To be connected from a social media perspective and know that you're connected to what events are happening, what beers are being released and then physically have something that's tangible that comes out of that, that's a total experience.  It's a great tool for us to let people know what we are doing," Carson said.

With Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and beer apps like Untappd, those in the craft beer community are rating, sharing and alerting each other to the latest FOMO beer on the scene.

Heather from Amherst arrived early at Masthead with 20 of her friends after seeing the announcement online.


Heather from Amherst (center) and friends

"We have a weird beer fraternity," she said. "As you can see this is the place to be today.  Actually I feel bad because some of them out there may not get it." 

Roger from Lyndhurst got to Platform early for his FOMO beer and admits that as a craft beer lover in Northeast Ohio it's a constant struggle to sample the latest and greatest brew.

"I fear of missing out on drinking every beer I've never drank.  So, you know, that's how it is," he said. 

Dave DeOreo is coordinating producer for Ideastream Public Media’s arts and culture team.