It’s official. Asheville’s Burial Beer Co.’s new Raleigh
outpost at the Transfer Co. Food Hall on Davie Street is now open to the public.
Hundreds of fans of the brewery lined up outside on January
5 to purchase some of the brewery’s rare releases such as its latest release, I
Used to be an Athlete – a collaboration with Other Half Brewery. Other rarities
that afternoon included To Steak Blood Across My Brow IPA, The Virtue of
Patience Barleywine and the Houtenhamer Double Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout.
While the line continued to grow outside, I was able to
spend some time inside with Burial’s co-owners Doug and Jess Reiser before the
bodega opened to the public. The crew inside were getting the glasses ready,
the cans stacked and meeting with several media outlets taking photos of the
new location.
This write up is to try to give you as much info on the new
location as possible. I know there has already been some outspoken beer fans
who hopefully this will answer some of your questions as to why things are the
way they are. Below are excerpts from my talk with Doug and Jess.
ABOUT THE ART ON THE
CANS
The art on all the labels follow love and hate, life and
death. The labels showcase the work of David Paul Seymour and Burial’s brand,
which shows the evolution of the brewery’s growth and process. “We like to
think of it as a symbiotic relationship,” says Jess. Don’t expect to see Burial
change the art on their cans, or Seymour illustrating labels for another
brewery – their relationship is
exclusive.
ON WHY WE SEE NO TOM
SELLECK MURAL IN RALEIGH
“We didn’t want to replicate the Asheville taproom, and Tom
doesn’t live in Raleigh, he lives in Asheville,” figuratively through the mural ... says Jess.
ON THE OPTION TO
EXPAND
It’s early, so there is no desire to expand at the moment.
Down the road there could be a possibility of taking the back wall and adding a
door that could lead out back. But for now, as Jess states, they’re happy with
the location and having street access at the food hall.
ON TAP ROOM RELEASES
Burial is pleased to announce that when you see a “taproom”
only release, that means everyone can get that unique offering right here in
Raleigh. “This is good for people who can’t always make it to Asheville,” says
Jess. “We appreciate it so much, so we wanted to make it convenient for the
people of Raleigh.”
WHY RALEIGH?
After a beer drop at State of Beer last year, Doug states “That
was the moment that really spurred the idea that if we did something outside of
Asheville, Raleigh was the place.” Charlotte was a possible option, but Doug
really likes Raleigh and “sees it changing every time I come out here.”
ON THE SMALL SPACE AT
THE FOOD HALL
While places like Hi-Wire’s new location in Durham can cater to
many, Doug wanted the Raleigh location to be a place for people to buy some
cans, have a drink and go. Inspired by Danny Meyers Daily Provision in New
York City, Doug states, “You stand in line. It's credit card only. You buy your box
of danishes to go. We want to do that with beer.”
Here at Burial’s Raleigh bodega you won’t find huge communal
tables or games. You won’t find them filling growlers because “We focus too
much on the art. We aren’t nameless faces,” says Doug. “Why do we have to be
forced to open another big place? It’s our choice. We want to do something for
us.”
ON NOT TAKING CASH
Doug has already had complaints, and knew this was something
they’d hear when they made that final decision. Some of the reasons for being a
card-only location is that they don’t want someone to be responsible
for a lot of cash, especially during big events. Also, Burial would have to set
up a bank here in Raleigh, which they don’t want to do. “We’re pretty small and we’re also considering the safety
of our employees. Plus, cash adds about an extra hour to closing each night,” he says. Reiser thinks eventually this will be the way of the future for many more breweries.
You’ve been warned now!
