tis the Season to.... reward the customer less?

Local Rock Bottom brewers have always been happy to share their beer at monthly tappings and to generally promote their locations and their fine beer. Certainly Liz Laughlin at RB College Park and Jerry Sutherlin at RB Downtown are two of Indy's most experienced brewers and ambassadors of beer.

Many of you likely were members of the Rock Bottom Mug Club program which ended abruptly with an email on Dec. 3 stating that the program ended the previous night. I suppose those fortunate to have received their next reward level gift on Sunday, Dec. 2, were indeed the lucky ones. The former program, like hotel programs, rewarded for both visits and for pints consumed.

The new Rock Rewards program announced last week rewards on dollars spent similar to the Passport program for sister outlets Gordon Biersch and Big River.

Not only did Rock Bottom mug club members lose their opportunity to gain rewards they were close to (no email saying, 'ending soon,') they won't have the same rewards as those at Gordon Biersch and Big River. But the BIG DIFFERENCE
is in the new Brewer's Club

Here are the REWARDS levels (and differences)

Points earned ($ Spent)...Rock Bottom Rock Rewards...VS. ....GB/BR Passport

100...................................free starter at Rock Bottom ..............free appetizer at Gordon Biersch or Big River
200...................................$10 for next visit at RB.........................$15 stored on card at GB
350...................................$15 for next visit at RB..........................$25 stored on card at GB
500....................................$20 for next visit at RB..........................$50 stored on card at GB


Once you've spent $800 at Rock Bottom you are.. ta da... a member of the Brewer's Club and can enjoy exclusive invitations, tappings, rewards, and pairing dinners.

Seems to this beer drinker and observers that the attendance at some of the tappings and pairing dinners wasn't always large anyway. Sounds like they might as well cancel their tappings for awhile unless a bunch of you plan to spend $800 at Rock Bottom this holiday season!

Dare I say, 'ba, humbug?'

Yet, again our Rock Bottom brewers are fine, experienced, and hard working people. Let's keep enjoying their beer whatever other rewards the firm provides

Rock Bottom is part of Craftworks Restaurants and Breweries, Inc. which is chaired by the founder of Rock Bottom while the Pres. is from the former Gordon Biersch.