Comments for El Bait Shop

Comment on Wanted: One Groundhog by Phil Dally

Phil Dally — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:55:35 +0000

I posted before but I’ll do it again. you can pay me in beer and instead of puxatawney Phil I could be known as intoxicated Phil. I think it would be a blast to go around kissing the customers, stealing their wings and just having a good time.

Comment on Wanted: One Groundhog by Phil Dally

Phil Dally — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:25:38 +0000

well my name is Phil and I’d love to be part of my cousins (OtherPhil) celebration

Comment on Gift Ideas for the Beer Lover by Alex

Alex — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:55:08 +0000

How much for the Quinn

Comment on Rock Out With Your Bock Out! by Chrissy

Chrissy — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:39:01 +0000

Is Party! party! Sat nite + Brother Trucker on Sun? Just a little hard to tell – awesome weekend planned! Love love love Peace Tree!

Comment on Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. by Mike Edwards

Mike Edwards — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 01:36:38 +0000

Honestly, I wouldn’t want to bring my 11-year old daughter to El Bait Shop unless it was for lunch, which we have done in the past. She joins us at Mullet’s for breakfast quite often and we take her to somewhere like RRBCo or CABCo for dinner all the time, but we don’t like to expose her to bar crowds. It used to be mostly due to the smoking, but now it’s the coarse language and general drunkenness that can rear its ugly head. It’s also due to deference to the other patrons that probably don’t want kids around–not that most people seem to curb their behavior around kids anymore.

Comment on Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. by Chad Ulrick

Chad Ulrick — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:55:00 +0000

Absolutely acceptable beer is legal for anyone over the age of 21. Your children should have the chance to experience new places. I would love to take my youngins to new places but they are too pickey, So we don’t take them many places. No fish tacos for them more for me

Comment on Another one bites the dust by Another Craft Brewer Pulls Out of Iowa | BrewManiacs

Another Craft Brewer Pulls Out of Iowa | BrewManiacs — Tue, 31 May 2011 19:24:18 +0000

[...] In mid-April, Left Hand Brewing stopped distributing in the Hawkeye State. Now, according to a post on the El Bait Shop’s blog, Flying Dog Brewing is pulling out [...]

Comment on What’s my name? The Tacklebox by Todd

Todd — Wed, 25 May 2011 18:52:43 +0000

I sent an email. Let me know if you didn’t get it.

Comment on El Bait Shop Smorgasbord by Emerita Dekeyzer

Emerita Dekeyzer — Wed, 25 May 2011 09:05:14 +0000

Keep posting stuff like this i really like it

Comment on New this week by Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 23 May 2011 21:26:35 +0000

Absolutely! Go ahead and send links to info@elbaitshop.com
Thanks!

Comment on Wave goodbye, with your Left Hand by Gabriella

Gabriella — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:59:57 +0000

This article something certainly worth understanding. There are loads of blogs that simply make no sense at all. Do keep up the good blogging and many more people will keep coming.

Comment on New Stuff for the week of 3/13 Part 2 : Revenge of the Bottles by Vanessa

Vanessa — Sat, 21 May 2011 17:36:06 +0000

I just wanted to comment and say that I really enjoyed reading your blog post here. It was very informative and I also digg the way you write! Keep it up and I’ll be back to read more in the future

Comment on El Bait Shop Smorgasbord by Addison

Addison — Sat, 21 May 2011 17:36:06 +0000

I just wanted to comment and say that I really enjoyed reading your blog post here. It was very informative and I also digg the way you write! Keep it up and I’ll be back to read more in the future

Comment on It’s almost time by Brianna

Brianna — Sat, 21 May 2011 17:36:05 +0000

You’re blogging has really come on when I look back over previous posts. Actually I arrived here from a forum on an unrelated topic. Worth surfing sometimes. Thanks.

Comment on Calling All Fire-Breathing, Face Painting Clowns! by Madelyn

Madelyn — Sat, 21 May 2011 13:37:46 +0000

Major thanks for the article post. Will read on…

Comment on Yep, I’m finally going to talk about new beer again. by Mariah

Mariah — Sat, 21 May 2011 13:37:29 +0000

This is a really great blog. Thx to the auther

Comment on What’s my name? by Drew Van Woert

Drew Van Woert — Fri, 20 May 2011 19:47:15 +0000

In light of recent events the name should be…
The Macho Man Randy Savage Memorial Patio

Comment on What’s my name? by Mike Riggs

Mike Riggs — Fri, 20 May 2011 19:25:55 +0000

The Bike Rack

Comment on What’s my name? by Emma Watkins

Emma Watkins — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:56:42 +0000

Fishermans Dock

Comment on What’s my name? by Marc Goeders

Marc Goeders — Fri, 20 May 2011 12:26:43 +0000

How about the “Spillway”….

Comment on What’s my name? by klocke

klocke — Fri, 20 May 2011 04:55:28 +0000

The Wormhole

Comment on What’s my name? by john gordon

john gordon — Fri, 20 May 2011 03:20:54 +0000

Spinner’s Patio Bar

Comment on What’s my name? by Ben

Ben — Fri, 20 May 2011 03:15:43 +0000

The Fillet Table

Comment on What’s my name? by Ariane Criger

Ariane Criger — Fri, 20 May 2011 02:43:03 +0000

The Minnow Bucket

Comment on What’s my name? by Todd Scott

Todd Scott — Fri, 20 May 2011 02:26:06 +0000

Carp Cantina
Hook, Line and Drinker
The Perch
Trolling Bar
The Fish Net

Comment on What’s my name? by Craig

Craig — Fri, 20 May 2011 01:14:35 +0000

The Vendobait or Minnow Bucket.

Comment on What’s my name? by Greg Mullen

Greg Mullen — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:23:25 +0000

Deborah

Comment on What’s my name? by Jon Olson

Jon Olson — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:19:35 +0000

El Patio de Cerveza

Comment on What’s my name? by Inthewater

Inthewater — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:10:33 +0000

La casa Cerveza…however you spell that.

Comment on What’s my name? by Steph

Steph — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:01:14 +0000

Sol Cerveza (sun and beer)

Comment on What’s my name? by Justin

Justin — Thu, 19 May 2011 23:57:59 +0000

Hoppy Rays

Comment on What’s my name? by ken

ken — Thu, 19 May 2011 23:34:42 +0000

el beach patio

Comment on What’s my name? by Brady Cox

Brady Cox — Thu, 19 May 2011 22:41:48 +0000

The Asphalt Porch

Comment on Wave goodbye, with your Left Hand by Isabelle

Isabelle — Tue, 17 May 2011 22:07:05 +0000

This was novel. I wish I could read every post, but i have to go back to work now… But I’ll return.

Comment on Get down with the Derby Dames by Malay Bouaphakeo

Malay Bouaphakeo — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:37:45 +0000

Thanks for the write up Sean! One of my favorite HL peeps! We love the high life!

Comment on What’s my name? by Kate

Kate — Tue, 10 May 2011 02:34:38 +0000

La Shad Tap (you know, like a Shad-Rap)

Check out the logo design here:
http://tinyurl.com/3mwubox

Formating can be changed if it’s too much like the original.

Comment on Get down with the Derby Dames by Sean

Sean — Fri, 06 May 2011 22:54:46 +0000

Before anybody says it, I know, this should be on the High Life’s page. Unfortunately, we don’t have a blog set up for the High Life yet, and I didn’t want you guys to miss out. We’ll get the other blog set up soon. Promise.

Comment on Wave goodbye, with your Left Hand by Zed

Zed — Wed, 04 May 2011 20:34:38 +0000

An answer to your question: We can prevent out of state brewers from pulling out by requiring them to wear a condom.

Comment on What’s my name? by David M

David M — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:20:40 +0000

The Buoy

Comment on What’s my name? by Amy M

Amy M — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 15:29:50 +0000

The Bodega

Comment on Calling All Fire-Breathing, Face Painting Clowns! by Matilda

Matilda — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:09:21 +0000

IMHO you’ve got the right asnwer!

Comment on What’s my name? by Aileen

Aileen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:46:18 +0000

Great thinking! That relaly breaks the mold!

Comment on Wave goodbye, with your Left Hand by Mildred

Mildred — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:13:03 +0000

AKAIK you’ve got the aneswr in one!

Comment on What’s my name? by Jeff Kwiatek

Jeff Kwiatek — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 04:04:25 +0000

El Bait Dock

Angler’s Paradise

Low Tide

Comment on Drinks on the patio? by Gump

Gump — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 03:50:51 +0000

Very true! Makes a change to see smoenoe spell it out like that.

Comment on What’s my name? by Drew Van Woert

Drew Van Woert — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:24:33 +0000

The Portside Patio
The Poop Deck
The Hacksaw Jim Duggen Memorial Patio (my personal favorite HOOOOOOO!)
Lunker Lodge
The Mooring Ball
The Pusser (Pusser is the crewman/warrant officer in charge of rum and tobacco on a ship)
The Chain Shot (two cannonballs chained together shot from a ship to do more damage, this should probably be a name for a shot and not so much the patio)

Comment on What’s my name? by Ron Isaac

Ron Isaac — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:58:44 +0000

“The Bait Shack” the Shop is inside….

Comment on What’s my name? by Krystal

Krystal — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:57:46 +0000

El Chupito (shot in Spanish)

Comment on Wave goodbye, with your Left Hand by Layla Amateur

Layla Amateur — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:26:44 +0000

Wise after the event.

Comment on Calling All Fire-Breathing, Face Painting Clowns! by Lu Holley

Lu Holley — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 12:31:23 +0000

Glad I noticed this on google .

Comment on What’s my name? by Mike

Mike — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:51:32 +0000

The Pole barn
The shack
The garage
Pedro
The Dinghy

Comment on Wave goodbye, with your Left Hand by S.Fuller

S.Fuller — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 13:30:41 +0000

I think you take them while you can get them. One of the best things about coming into El Bait is that the beers are never the same. If you have the same beers available all the time, there’s less reason for me to come in and drink. I think we should be glad we had LH for a couple of years than not at all.

Comment on Wave goodbye, with your Left Hand by Henry

Henry — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 05:51:08 +0000

Certainly an issue that has many aspects: sales, Iowa’s regulatory system, classic supply/demand and other economic issues, marketing, distribution, brand support (from the supply side), and myriad others all play some role and interconnect.
Take the change in the breaking point on alcohol content between what the State controlled and what distributors handled as a case study. The State has no sustained refrigeration, spends virtually nothing on marketing, and has no direct sale (not to mention sales staff) to places where brands are built (bars, restaurants, etc) as compared to the distribution network that license holders now use. This change allows for brands like New Belgium and Boulevard to bring in lines that require refrigeration and marketing efforts at all levels to grow sales. The makeup of this network has impacts on the relative presence in many “markets” of certain brands.
Left Hand for example, was distributed by a wholesaler that is not based in the DSM area (which the alternative hasn’t saved brands like Abita from the same fate). I’m not arguing that one distributor is any better or worse than the next for a particular brand, but they play a key role in the availability of and ultimately the sales of product.
The explanation of distribution areas coupled with sales growth closer to home (and/or in existing markets) certainly puts a strain on limited capacity and forces decisions to be made about where that limited amount of product is going to go. See Templeton Rye on your local shelf? Furthermore, the brand must continue to focus on quality control issues that make it possible for the brand to continue growth, otherwise you are just pumping out more stuff, not what you became know for.
Expansion can have limits to. Take the recent move by Goose Island to officially move into the AB family. That’s a choice that has to be made brand-by-brand. One thing to note is that growing production capacity, doesn’t always mean more product is going to reach the consumer. There is more than production to consider.
To get at your question more directly, preventing the loss of favorite brands is often beyond the scope of what is controllable. Some of my favorite brands aren’t in Iowa due to fall outs between players at levels I have no access to and aren’t an issue of sustained sales. My best advice to folks that want to keep a favorite on the shelf is to buy it. Sales drive many of the discussions made at nearly every level of this game. Similarly, those purchasing, storing, selling, and so on up the chain have to make smart choices to prevent unnecessary loss and maintain a positive experience every time the end consumer takes a sip. Even with all that, there will continue to be brewers that go out of business, change their focus, lose interest in our market, and so on that no amount of demand side increases will impact and ultimately cause a brand to no longer be available.
To some extent, I think that the Iowa market will continue to be one that sees craft and import brands come and go. Whether or not that is good or bad is a personal opinion. Mine is that at least we get to see and taste a lot more of what is out there than even five years ago. There as just so many aspects to consider and so many scenarios that from one brand to the next there can be an entirely different answer to both the questions of how to keep/get them and what is best for the brand.
Personally, I think that anyone that has been involved in trying to offer products that go beyond the national or regional “macro” brands has something to say on this issue. Certainly, there is no easy fix or magic wand to wave to get or keep everyone’s favorite brand in Iowa or DSM. I would also say that I have taken a gamble on brands that I thought had great products, that for one reason or another aren’t currently available or had little interest from patrons. I’m sad to see another great brand leaving the market, but after all, this is a business.

I’d be interested to hear more of your thoughts.
Cheers!

Comment on Drinks on the patio? by Sean

Sean — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:03:19 +0000

Okay, it looks like we jumped the gun a little. Iowa weather will get you every time. Unfortunately the temperature on Tuesday night is supposed to be in the high 30′s, and there’s a 50% chance of rain. So, since I’m not going to run the grill in that nonsense, the first Tailgate Tuesday is cancelled. We’ll hold of until May, when the weather is a little more consistent. Lame, I know.

Comment on What’s my name? by Tim

Tim — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:20:42 +0000

S.S. Minnow

Comment on What’s my name? by Eric

Eric — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:30:01 +0000

The Chum Bucket
or
Fishers Row

Comment on What’s my name? by Konni Cawiezell

Konni Cawiezell — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:53:11 +0000

“Whale Tails” (thong-style) or “Whale Tales” (story-style)
“The Lido”
“Upper Deck”

Comment on What’s my name? by Travis Carlson

Travis Carlson — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:52:54 +0000

The Brew Kettle — a complete shout out to the process that creates these fine beverages

Comment on What’s my name? by bart schmidt

bart schmidt — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:18:10 +0000

Tool Shed
It’d be a great place to keep the tire pump, a bike tool or two, and maybe a picture of Ed Gein.

Comment on What’s my name? by Tyler DePhillips

Tyler DePhillips — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 06:45:59 +0000

“Hop’s Jetty” or “San Cerveza’s” are what code names my friends and I have used in the past when we go to start the night right or tie one on.

Comment on What’s my name? by Tonja kilby

Tonja kilby — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 02:14:34 +0000

Apartment B

Comment on What’s my name? by David DeForest Colvig

David DeForest Colvig — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 20:24:39 +0000

Shore Lunch

Comment on What’s my name? by David DeForest Colvig

David DeForest Colvig — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 20:22:18 +0000

Camp David

Comment on What’s my name? by Tom Gray

Tom Gray — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:06:42 +0000

S.S. Minnow – hosting “3 hour tours” (Happy Hour)

Comment on What’s my name? by Tom Gray

Tom Gray — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:04:33 +0000

El Fresco
Tad Pole
Chums
OutRigger – troll more lines (seats) in the water (bar) without
tangling lines (customers)

Comment on What’s my name? by Patty Guevara

Patty Guevara — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:48:21 +0000

We have always called it “The Tackle Box”. Just sayin’…

Comment on What’s my name? by Michelle Mullica

Michelle Mullica — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:03:02 +0000

The Dock ヅ

Comment on What’s my name? by Matt Hollinger

Matt Hollinger — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:02:32 +0000

Los Tackle Box

Comment on What’s my name? by Alan Asay

Alan Asay — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:01:44 +0000

The Stress Reliever

Comment on What’s my name? by Brian Schacherer

Brian Schacherer — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:52:24 +0000

The Plank

Comment on What’s my name? by Bryan Farland

Bryan Farland — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:14:27 +0000

El Minnow Tank
Bike Oasis
Bike2Brews Bar
Hophead Hangout
2nd St. Stables
2nd St. Saloon
Biker’s Brew Garden
El Brew Garden
Hop Haven
Half Court Haven
El On Earth
Overflow Trough
Haven Or El
Skyline Saloon
El Of The West

Comment on What’s my name? by Jeff Newsom

Jeff Newsom — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:12:20 +0000

“The Dock” or – “The Fishin’ Hole”

Comment on What’s my name? by Drez

Drez — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:57:34 +0000

Well I guess El Patio is taken…

Comment on What’s my name? by Todd Lincoln

Todd Lincoln — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:41:32 +0000

nice and simple, “The Tacklebox” bar. or a variation of it. Tackle boxes are out in the sun when you’re fishing, and of course, you have a fishing theme in the name El Bait shop…so tie these two together with that.

Comment on What’s my name? by josh johnson

josh johnson — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:34:44 +0000

the Guapo

Comment on What’s my name? by Kevanyon

Kevanyon — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:15:02 +0000

The watering hole

Comment on Drinks on the patio? by Sean

Sean — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:21:32 +0000

Oh, and by the way, I did take those first two pictures earlier today. Isn’t it beautiful out?

Comment on Introducing Toby, Our Resident Beer Genius! by Sean

Sean — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:23:36 +0000

Thanks, Diane. We’re glad you find Toby useful. Stefan and Thomas did an absolutely amazing job. We’re thrilled we get to work with them.

Comment on Introducing Toby, Our Resident Beer Genius! by Diane Staudt

Diane Staudt — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:20:47 +0000

Oh my! This is pure…genius!

Comment on Lots and lots of new drafts (3/13) by Jill Haverkamp

Jill Haverkamp — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 22:23:24 +0000

Thanks for letting us know about the new beers Sean! I had Peace Tree’s Imperial Stout at Beer ‘n Bread at Living History Farms and enjoyed it. I don’t recall the prune touch, I’ll have to give it another try and see if I can pick up on it. The Sam Adams Imperial Scotch Ale sounds intriguing. I will be in to try it. You should add Olde Main’s Elkman Milk Stout, very creamy and smooth finish. I think Martin dropped off a sample last week. Cheers!

Comment on Introducing Toby, Our Resident Beer Genius! by Sean

Sean — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 22:16:59 +0000

It seems we’re not the only ones who like Toby. Here’s Channel 8 talking about him. We should be on TV tonight at 6, too. http://www.kcci.com/entertainment/26917732/detail.html