The Bar Towel

Gedge · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 10:09 am Post subject: Westvleteren coming to T.O.

That's the word according to Josh Rubin (via Twitter). He says one, maybe two, bars will have it and to expect to pay $$$.

matt7215 · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 2581 Location: Cambridge

when?

SteelbackGuy · Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 4598 Location: Hamilton, ON

Today Matt, you're going to miss it!
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Gedge · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 10:36 am Post subject:

No date given - "on its way".

Belgian · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 7001 Location: I Heart TO

There was a false rumor on RateBeer that cases of bottles would be legitimately exported to North America, to help make some repairs to the Abbaye St. Sixtus. Presently the bottles only have caps identifying the brewery and which beer it is.

It would be exceptional to try a very fresh sample of any (Blonde, 8, 12) Westy on draught and the keg format would get around the total lack of bottle labels.

I bet some days it would be nice to work in the beer trade! "Yeah... that keg of 12 is showing a little more spice than it did yesterday morning!"
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Jan Primus · Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 321

It's worth trying a Westy so you know just how good the Rochefort 10 really is.

Bobsy · Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 2075 Location: Toronto

Interesting news. I'll likely give it a miss only because I'm going to Belgium in August, but it still a nice opportunity for other folks to try it. I'm curious how high the price point could be set for this. I suspect there are people who would pay up to $50 for this beer. I also suspect it would be gone almost instantaneously (if it comes here at all).
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Gedge · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject:

I agree with Bobsy that it could hit $50 (which was what one bar in NYC was charging). At that point you are looking at $60+ with taxes and tip. For that kind of bread you might as well roll the dice with one of the Ebay sellers.

Having said that, when I did roll the dice (successfully) a couple of years ago it came in at about $16-17 a bottle (bought six) including shipping, so who knows - maybe it'll sell at $25 -$30 a go.

Belgian · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 7001 Location: I Heart TO

Anybody know if this is a Westy one-off, or does the Abbey intend to keep selling it here for a while?
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In Beerum Veritas "... Misuse of Literally Makes Me Figuratively Insane..."

tuqueboy · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 576 Location: Toronto

esprit · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 1:05 pm Post subject:

both Caffe Volo and Beerbistro received shipments of Westy 12 in the past month as well as St. Veronus in Peterborough and Chancey Smith's in London. Don't know if they are on the menus yet or whether you can ask for them. We'll have some St. Bernardus Abt 12 here in about a month and I can't wait to do a side by side which I have never done.

dutchcanuck · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 5:13 pm Post subject:

If a secret handshake is required or name dropping could you please let me know? I'm heading up to Toronto this week to renew my Dutch Passport and I would love to indulge and savor a bottle of westy 12.

matt7215 · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 2581 Location: Cambridge

when i was at volo on the 6th i saw a Westvleteren case off to the side of the bar. i assumed it was full of something other then Westvleteren product or i would have inquired.

id hate to think i missed it.

tupalev · Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 1010

matt7215 · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 2581 Location: Cambridge