I'll venture a guess that this is exactly how most Ontario beer geeks feel about our alcohol retail distribution system. Leave it to pootz to capture this frustration with his typical lucid and succinct prose.pootz wrote: I welcome what is available (even though much is the same as last year) because under the consumer despotism of state market monopolies it's better than nothing...but let's not lose sight of the fact that it could be far far better.
The average beer geek in CowFart, Kansas has more access to a larger selection of domestic micro brews, at a local retail level, than we do. Timorously and enthusiastically awaiting the arrival of the few consumer choices a state monopoly decides to allow is a consumer conditioning-rationing game.
The improving quality of seasonal releases with extremely limited (rationed?) distribution outside of the GTA doesn't change the fact that most Ontario consumers lack consistent access to a wide range of beers and styles that have become standard in many American outlets, including those in remote communities.
As a hop lover I was pleased to see Nasty Habit, Garrison IPA, and Corne du Diable arrive for the fall months but after two or three stores received their initial allotment, all three beers sold out within a couple of weeks and we won't see any of them return now that the release is over. Meanwhile Orval and Belhaven Stout have yet to make their way down here and perhaps they won't appear at all.
'Seasonal' therefore refers to beer drinkers having a few weeks at a time, and maybe 12 weeks total throughout the year, to purchase flavourful world class beers. After that the Board reverts back to a year-round selection which does not include a single DIPA, barley wine, imperial stout, saison, old ale, gueuze, or an American-style porter worth drinking. In a province with 13 million people and a decently respectable beer culture, our retail selection (including these 'better' seasonal releases) is simply unacceptable and claims to the contrary reflect a state of denial. I would know since not too long ago I was under the impression that 'we don't have it that bad.'
Lately instead of funding the Controllers while simultaneously complaining about how dire things are, I've been frequenting my local beer bars much more often than usual and I just purchased a haul from the States that will probably last until the holidays. In the end spending my dollars elsewhere can only be a good thing since the independent businesses (bars and beer stores) that pedal the real premium stuff actually give a shit about beer, the products their selling, and the customers who support them.
While I happily support crafters like DDC, Southern Tier, Black Oak, and Grand River when they somehow manage to fight their way onto the shelves, I find myself relying far less on the Board for quality beer.