Hoppy Times 2005

Hoppy Times January/February 2005 "Online" Edition - Volume 12 Issue 1

Hoppy Brewing Company
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Great Food · Awesome Beer · Cool People!!!

Topics In This Illustrious "Online" Issue Are:
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HOPPY YEAR IN REVIEW!!!
HOPPY NEW BEER...
HOPPY RECENT EVENTS!!!
HOPPY UPCOMING EVENTS...
HOPPY STAFF!!!

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HOPPY YEAR IN REVIEW!!!

SACRAMENTO, CA - According to statistics from the Association of Brewers based in Boulder, Colorado, there were 1,426 Regional Specialty Breweries, Microbreweries, and Brewpubs operating in the United States as of December 14th, 2004, with the industry showing just over a three percent growth, much like it did in 2003. However, Hoppy continued to exceed the industry average with a solid 15% growth in revenue from the previous year.

In the brewing area, we grew some wholesale distribution around the state of California with our bottled products. We replaced Bill's Brown Ale, with Earl's Hopfarm Auburn Ale as part of our regular product portfolio in the restaurant, which has been a refreshing replacement. In addition, Ed & Geoff did a great job of putting together a portable nine tap draft system in July for the Olympic Track & Field Finals. Basically, outside of growing some wholesale distribution, the Brew Crew kept the brewing area quite stable, functional, and reliably operational all while continuing to make award-winning brews.

In the marketing area, Ms. Jessica Karkoski did a wonderful job coordinating, getting the staff involved, along with attending a number, beer festivals, charitable events, promotions, and everything else when it comes to people/organizations that want donations for some specific cause, or even just want FREE beer from a local brewery. If you have a festival or an event that she needs to know about, feel free to call her at 916.451.4677, or send her email at jessica@hoppy.com . In the coming year, look for Hoppy to continue supporting various local community philanthropic functions.

On the restaurant side of the house, we have seen the business continue to grow from serving a daily average of 382 people in 2003 to that of 418 this past year - an increase of 9.5%. We routinely made changes in the food and beer menu's to keep things fresh and exciting, all while continuing to provide our customers with interesting quality menu items. In addition, we put down a new commercial vinyl floor in the kitchen, we reupholstered the seat backings in the restaurant, we added new lunch and weekend brunch menu covers, we added a new neon sign to the front of the building, we installed a new Point of Sale system, and we acquired a liquor license for use in catering and providing a limited "top-shelf" selection in the restaurant.

Our busiest month of the year, which is normally the slowest, was July, which saw the arrival of the Olympic Track & Field Finals, and two weeks of running an additional temporary restaurant/entertainment facility under a tent in our back parking lot. Many thanks go out to everyone who contributed in the success of this two week endeavor! Perhaps we will even do it again if the Track & Field Finals make a return visit to Sacramento in 2008... ;)

So what is on tap for Hoppy in 2005 you might be asking yourself??? Look for Hoppy to:

* continue working very hard on making the brewpub operate
as efficiently as possible.
* continue working on putting the structure in place so
that maybe a second location could be open before the
end of the year.
* install new carpeting and continue to do more painting
to keep things fresh.
* continue systematizing all of the departments and
providing better training and guidance for new managers.
* continue to improve our customer service, which by the way,
providing the very best customer service possible is the
biggest objective for Hoppy.

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HOPPY NEW BEER...

SACRAMENTO, CA - With the new year starting off on a cold and rainy note, some vintage Old Sandbag Barley Wine, circa 2003, will be on tap within the week or so until it runs out. Remember: this brew weighs in at a lofty 11.1% alcohol by volume, which really warms up the old britches - especially if they happen to be a bit soggy... ;) Due up on tap after that is the return of Hoppy Scotch Ale, and the Red Dragon Smoked Porter.

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HOPPY RECENT EVENTS...

Our Lucky Dinner Winner for the month of January is Ms. Natalie Hinkel, who is a Commercial Property Manager from Ray Stone Incorporated. Congratulations Ms. Hinkel!!! We look forward to serving you and your friends a complementary dinner for up to four friends and/or family on any weekend!!!

Looking for a place to watch a KINGS game when it is not on regular TV??? Hoppy Brewing continues to show all of the Sacramento KINGS games (if they are not blacked out by the NBA) via the NBA League Pass. In addition to just the KINGS games, we will once again have the option to watch any NBA game this season - like watching the Lakers lose... Also, just like last year, we will be suspending reservations during KINGS games in the main dining area. Therefore, if you have a group of people and want a great seat for the game in front of BIG screen, then make sure that your entire group arrives early...

Our brewpub is open daily during the week at 11:00am serving some of the best valued Lunches, Dinners, and Daily Specials in the area, and on weekends at 10:00am serving Brunch until 3:30 followed by Dinner at 4:30. If you have not seen our menus lately, feel free to check them out online at http://www.hoppy.com/sacramento/menu.htm , or just stop in and see us. We are always looking forward to sharing our day with our valued customers. However, as some of you already know, Lunch can get quite busy from time-to-time during the week; so if you are on a tight schedule, please try to avoid the noon hour for sharing if possible - especially if you have a large party.

Also, in addition to our normal "daily" Hoppy Hour from 3-6pm, and our LATE-NIGHT Hoppy Hour from 10:00pm till Close, featuring $2.50 pints and $10.00 pitchers, we have a number of other incentives here at our brewpub for you to enjoy:

* On weekends from 10:00am to 3:30pm, we feature a tasty
Brunch Menu with $5.00 Belvedere Bloody Mary's.
* On Sundays we feature the BEST deal in town, where we
include a bottle of Hoppy brew to go with every
Brunch/Lunch/Dinner entree purchased. PLUS - we have
Hoppy Hour prices from 3:00pm until we close!
* On Sundays & Mondays we feature $0.99 children's meals
with an adult meal purchase.
* On Mondays we feature $2.50 pints & $10.00 pitchers all day
from when we open until we close.
* On Wednesdays we have half price appetizers from
9:00-10:00pm, and a South Park special with $2.50 pints &
$10.00 pitchers starting at 10:00pm with South Park.
* On Saturdays we feature $2.50 pints & $10.00 pitchers from
the time we open at 10:00am until 6:00pm.

Also, our logo gear (i.e., fleece, polo shirts, t-shirts, pint glasses, ball caps, beanies, and etc.) can make for a GREAT gift any time of year. However, if you are not sure about our merchandise as a gift, we also have Hoppy Logo Gift Cards available in your denomination of choice for use here at our brewpub to give as a present as well...

Lastly, we usually have some space available for your company parties, or for that special birthday gathering in our brewpub; so if you have an interest in having your party here at Hoppy's, just call 916.451.4677 and speak with Mr. Kenny Turner to plan your next party or event as soon as possible...

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HOPPY UPCOMING EVENTS...

NOTE: We will be closing the kitchen early on Sunday, January 16th 7:00pm, and the Restaurant & Bar will close at 8:00pm, in observance of the annual Hoppy company employee holiday party. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, and hopefully you understand that we too need to take some time to observe the holidays... :)

With Martin Luther King Day right around the corner on the 17th, do not forget that Hoppy has the $2.50 pint beer special all day for you to enjoy, and the kids eat FREE too; plus the KINGS play the LA Clippers at 12:30pm for a holiday special.

The SUPER BOWL of the NFL, or really the GRAND POOHBAH of all organized sporting events, is set for February 06th at 3:00pm PST in Jacksonville, FL. Therefore, if you have not marked your calendars, or made up your mind as to where to watch this major sporting event, make sure to mark your calendar with a big fat HOPPY on it!!! We will be having $2.50 pints & $10.00 pitchers, half price appetizers, and other exciting stuff all day, so make sure to come early and stay late for all of the fun. Also, if you are planning on having a party at your house, remember to put your keg order in early so that we can have it ready for you.

On the order of something different, here is a nice twist to help celebrate Mardi Gras, which is Tuesday, February 08th. Just bring in your favorite set of beads, and if they meet with the Bartender/Server's satisfaction, we will exchange them for a pint of Hoppy. Only one set of beads per person will be accepted for this special offer...

With Valentine's Day fast approaching on Monday, February 14th, make sure to book your reservation early so that you can have the greatest likelihood of getting your first choice of time/location to celebrate that special day with someone special. The menu feature for that evening has yet to be decided, but if it is anything like it has been the last couple of years, you will not be disappointed. In addition, and not to be forgotten, but for the "unattached" on this day, we will be serving a very tasty special as well...

In addition, if you would like a complete listing of what we currently have on our calendar, please click on the following web address.

http://www.hoppy.com/future.htm

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HOPPY STAFF...

If you are interested in sending one of us a note, just visit the following page and click on a name that has interest to you. We promise to write back in a timely manner... :)

http://www.hoppy.com/register/feed.htm

Remember...the craft brew industry is very competitive, and we can always use your help when you are out there in the bars, restaurants, grocery stores, and etc. How can you help us you may be asking yourself??? Well...ask your local retailer(s) for our products (to the point of bugging them if necessary), so that you are able to buy the products that you "really" want - not just what is on the store shelf, or on-tap, at the moment...

You, the consumer, have more power than you may know. Speak up, speak clearly, and your earnest taste buds may reap those proactive rewards. If you do this, then we are sure it will not be long before you will be able to enjoy our Liquid Sunshine™ Blonde, Hoppy Face™ Amber, Stony Face™ Red, and Total Eclipse™ Black Ales outside of attending a local festival, or even visiting us here in Sacramento...

Thinking Globally - Brewing Locally!!!
"Every product we make greets you with a Smile"™

Copyright (c) 2005 Hoppy Brewing Company, All Rights Reserved.