Black Irish Plain Porter selected for the LCBO Fall Ale

[PRMason]

I am delighted to report that Black Irish Plain Porter has been selected for the 2007 Autumn Ale Program by the LCBO. This means that it will be featured in 200 stores.
The plan is to sell it in single 341ml stubby bottles.
Now for the bad news. Because it was selected for this promotion, it cannot be introduced to the stores before the start of the promotion- next fall. So, if you want any Porter in bottles, you'll have to hike up to the brewery in Carleton Place.
The Sgt.Major is now back in fine form. You should see it filtering into the system in the next week or two. It is included in the OSBA fixture promotion, meaning it will be introduced into 40 some odd stores in the GTA, as well as a few furter afield ( Waterloo and Guelph). This will be in effect for 3 months from Dec. to Mar.

[JerCraigs]

Congrats Perry!

Is the hold out an LCBO requirement or a production issue?

[PRMason]

LCBO requirement. They want the products to be exclusive when they are launched.

[pootz]

I am delighted to report that Black Irish Plain Porter has been selected for the 2007 Autumn Ale Program by the LCBO. This means that it will be featured in 200 stores.
The plan is to sell it in single 341ml stubby bottles.
The Sgt.Major is now back in fine form. You should see it filtering into the system in the next week or two. It is included in the OSBA fixture promotion, meaning it will be introduced into 40 some odd stores in the GTA, as well as a few furter afield ( Waterloo and Guelph). This will be in effect for 3 months from Dec. to Mar.

Look forward to the BI Porter in bottles...I hope it's as good as the stuff I've been quaffing at the Castle on King...now, are you saying the Sargent Major's is back to the old formula? I tried the newer one on tap at the castle and I personally found it lacking from the older formulation made at Church Key......whazzup with that Perry?

[Ale's What Cures Ya]

Good work on getting selected, it's about damn time.

And I'm with Pootz, I hope you've returned the Sgt. Major to the piney, resiny beast it was at Church Key.

[joey_capps]

While I think this is great news, I worry a little bit the beer will suffer because of the LCBO's horrendous treatment of its stock. Will you be taking any precautions, Perry, to ensure the beer is presented at its best?

[PRMason]

The Sgt. Major is almost back to its best self. One more tweak and its there. The problem was with the small amount of chocolate malt we always used. It seems that the chocolate malt we received came in at 700 deg. Lovibond ( a measure of colour and degree of roast). The chocolate malt we used to get was a more normal 400-450. So the beer became more roast and malty. We upped the amount of hops we used as well. I am much, much happier with the batch we just made than any other since the move. I don't know when the taps in Toronto will get the new stuff. Soon, i hope.
As for Black Irish, this is the beer that I had forgotten in my garage for 3 years (through heat and cold) and served as the Millenium Vintage Porter.
Even the LCBO couldn't hurt that sucker. Besides, we always try to maintain a sane amount in the stores to try to ensure freshness and stock rotation.

[Stomp Brockmore]

Really looking forward to this Perry. Also, when do you think we can expect to see the stubby bottles?

[northyorksammy]

looking forward to this and spreading the bottles around

[Ale's What Cures Ya]

The Sgt. Major is almost back to its best self. One more tweak and its there. The problem was with the small amount of chocolate malt we always used. It seems that the chocolate malt we received came in at 700 deg. Lovibond ( a measure of colour and degree of roast). The chocolate malt we used to get was a more normal 400-450. So the beer became more roast and malty. We upped the amount of hops we used as well. I am much, much happier with the batch we just made than any other since the move. I don't know when the taps in Toronto will get the new stuff. Soon, i hope.
As for Black Irish, this is the beer that I had forgotten in my garage for 3 years (through heat and cold) and served as the Millenium Vintage Porter.
Even the LCBO couldn't hurt that sucker. Besides, we always try to maintain a sane amount in the stores to try to ensure freshness and stock rotation.

Woah, there's chocolate malt in the Sgt. Major? I had no idea.

What does chocolate malt do for the Sergeant's taste?

[PRMason]

It provides some depth to the mid-palate. It is really noticeable when it is not there.

[Beer Geek]

It sure is nice to see a Brewery doing so well after a buy out. Nice move Perry! I’ll be heading to the Castle again tonight for more of your Porter!

[Belgian]

The Sgt. Major is almost back to its best self.

Notice the careful choice of wording there, friends. Perry's not promising us the exact "Church Key" one, or the "earlest version" one - just the "best" one! Sounds good to me.

I have pretty good faith in Heritage based on results so far. Serious stuff.

[Stomp Brockmore]

I had a bottle of the Sgt. Major last night that was dated Nov. 6/2006. I was assuming this was the new version (erm, newest version...the one you speak of in this thread), but it was not at all how I had remembered it (not that you've said it would go back to it's old hoppy self). This one was very malty, with only some hop bitterness in the finish. Sort of more like a brown ale than an IPA. It also poured with almost no head. What date coding should we be looking out for for the proper version, the way you intend it, so I can pick up a six of that?

[Belgian]

Sort of more like a brown ale than an IPA.

I would only GUESS your sample is not the Current Edition, based on the Date Coding (J=September? versus November) and Perry's malt adjustment (should a Pale Ale look like a Brown?)

But that's just me! Somebody find a new batch & comment.