WHAT IF... Beers the LCBO should carry

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:56 am

Cass wrote:How about a real lambic? I sorely miss beers like Boon which we used to get a long time ago.

I'll second that! put Liefman's on regular shelf stock....along with Andecher doppel, Ayiner Dunkel etc

shintriad · Post by **shintriad** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:25 am

Pootz, that was the greatest rant I ever heard! Sadly, those backwater Eurotrash lagers remain on shelves because they have special interest groups lobbying for them, as they remind them of the "good old days" under the Iron Curtain.

Personally, I agree with any or all of the requests made above. In fact, I couldn't care less what they bring in here, as long as it's something new! The top couple beers from ANY American micro would be welcome...I just want to taste a different hop/malt profile. (That's why I'm never as excited about new Rogue products, as they all have similar undertones.)

Of course, most breweries won't deal with the 'Bo because of their stringent, Wal-Mart-like demands on delivery standards, including labelling. Those breweries who already print labels in seventeen different languages -- like Slitoviczniclav Extra Spezialnik 6 Hectolitre Pivobeer -- have a leg up.

old faithful · Post by **old faithful** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:57 am

I think a new approach is needed completely.

Quality should be the by-word. Many great names have been mentioned.

The lack of almost any U.S. microbrewery beers is to be deplored. What justification is there for scads of undistinguished pasteurised Euro beers when we can't get beers from fine breweries, many of which are microbrewery innovators, next door? I can't understand this.

Gary

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:45 am

I'd love to see more German stuff, but they'd definitely need more fridge space (and maybe improve their warehouse & distribution?).

Their German stuff seems to suffer from a lack of freshness. Most stuff isn't very high in alcohol, and they Germans typically don't use a huge whack of hops... so that might have something to do with it. Moreover, lagers are should be kept cool, and wheat beers don't tend to have a good shelf life.

If I see fresh stuff going on the shelf, I'll pick it up. That requires frequent visits though.

I don't typically buy from The Beer Store, but maybe they'd be a little better? (more refridgeration in the stores?).

So back to the question.... I'd love to see more American Micro's, but there's certainly some good Canadian Craft that should be more readily accessable as well.

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 1:20 pm

Responsible Drinker wrote:So back to the question.... I'd love to see more American Micro's, but there's certainly some good Canadian Craft that should be more readily accessable as well.

Well the rumors of Brooklyn lagers hitting the shelves is welcome...if it ever materializes...I don;t see why we don't have a wider compliment of US miros except perhaps the LCBO is protecting their investment in Ontario micros.

Jon Walker · Post by **Jon Walker** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:50 pm

pootz wrote: Well the rumors of Brooklyn lagers hitting the shelves is welcome...if it ever materializes...I don;t see why we don't have a wider compliment of US miros except perhaps the LCBO is protecting their investment in Ontario micros.

What LCBO investment in Ontario micros?

It has less to do with protectionism and more to do with economics. The LCBO's policies are not about diversity, supporting the local brewers or even about focusing on quality...it's all about what will sell, in volume, and with a high profit margin. U.S. micros often don't fit this model or, in many cases, they have refused to continue doing business with the LCBO as a result of past (bad) experiences.

joey_capps · Post by **joey_capps** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:02 pm

Cass wrote:How about a real lambic? I sorely miss beers like Boon which we used to get a long time ago.

Yes! A lambic that's not sickly sweet.

That being said, Cass, I suppose we simply didn't buy enough of the Boon products, or else the LCBO would still stock them. And, unfortunately, Cantillon is made with those ever-so-dangerous cherries.

Joe

Andicus · Post by **Andicus** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:11 pm

joey_capps wrote:
Cass wrote:How about a real lambic? I sorely miss beers like Boon which we used to get a long time ago.
Yes! A lambic that's not sickly sweet.

That being said, Cass, I suppose we simply didn't buy enough of the Boon products, or else the LCBO would still stock them. And, unfortunately, Cantillon is made with those ever-so-dangerous cherries.

Joe

Once again, I feel the need to mention that my search for Boon Gueuze is what first brought me to this great website! I still have the single bottle remaining from that 96-97 release. I did pick up a couple more when I was at BOTW, but at ~8/bottle rather than the <$4 I paid here. I also found that those bottles were not as good as the 96-97 vintage. Regardless, given the opportunity here, I would seriously stock up.

From what I saw last time, the Boon disappeared quickly. I just don't think there's any logic to some of the LCBO's purchases. Look how quickly the DFH 60min IPA disappeared, yet it sounds unlikely that they'll get more.

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:00 pm

Jon Walker wrote:
pootz wrote: Well the rumors of Brooklyn lagers hitting the shelves is welcome...if it ever materializes...I don;t see why we don't have a wider compliment of US miros except perhaps the LCBO is protecting their investment in Ontario micros.
What LCBO investment in Ontario micros?

It has less to do with protectionism and more to do with economics. The LCBO's policies are not about diversity, supporting the local brewers or even about focusing on quality...it's all about what will sell, in volume, and with a high profit margin. U.S. micros often don't fit this model or, in many cases, they have refused to continue doing business with the LCBO as a result of past (bad) experiences.

Hell I could get that mentality from Walmat....but then again thay don;t pretend to be a consumer orientd goverment "service" .

Hamilton Brian · Post by **Hamilton Brian** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:04 pm

Seeing how close Maine and Massachussets are to us, I nominate some of those New England brews. Especially Geary's. That pale ale is a tasty treat.

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 9:38 am

FYI, the LCBO has indicated it will purchase DFH 60 for the 2007 Spring promo and quantity is about 2 1/2 times what they ordered this year. Nonetheless, they did reject it for a General Listing opting for Brooklyn Lager instead cause we just don't have enough lagers in Ontario!

Torontoblue · Post by **Torontoblue** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 9:42 am

But Brooklyn Lager isn't a lager as we know it. It isn't Golden, it isn't fizzy, it has flavour. It is their version of a Sam Adam's Boston Lager and far superior too. More of an Alt beer-style, I seem to recall, reminds me very much of Otter's Creek Copper Ale. The amount of people who have moaned about this coming in and saying we don't need more lagers. Jeez-A-Loo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Andicus · Post by **Andicus** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 10:29 am

esprit wrote:FYI, the LCBO has indicated it will purchase DFH 60 for the 2007 Spring promo and quantity is about 2 1/2 times what they ordered this year. Nonetheless, they did reject it for a General Listing opting for Brooklyn Lager instead cause we just don't have enough lagers in Ontario!

Well, that's some consolation, anyway. Still, it's annoying that something that sold incredibly well is not accepted as a General Listing, yet something never sold here before is. I've never tried it, so I can't comment on it.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:52 am

Re: DFH 60,

How bizarre these LCBO Drones can pretend all these brewing hotbeds are not right next door to our country, WHILE they search far-flung Eastern Europe to stock up with high-margin products that are SO dismal, they are barely SEEN in thriving capitalist nations.

In this province, maybe it's just better to just pay your high taxes and not question the SENSE of such activity.

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:01 pm

Hamilton Brian wrote:Seeing how close Maine and Massachussets are to us, I nominate some of those New England brews. Especially Geary's. That pale ale is a tasty treat.

I didnt think much of the Geary's stuff I had. Its not bad but I'd personally much rather see some NY micros like southern Tier, or Vermont brewers like Magic Hat personally. I don't think proximity is really taken into account though, else there'd be a lot less australian wine in the LCBO

hehe