tupalev wrote:I'm not sure I understand the fascination with people wanting every single beer to be available in every single LCBO, or every area of Ontario. We live a in Province bigger than most countries, yet we insist small locally made craft brews must be delivered to LCBO's from Ottawa to Windsor. Half the threads on here these days are people complaining that said beer is not available in London or Ottawa. Craft beer is a local thing - if I was a brewer, I would not want my beer to travel, especially through the LCBO distribution system where you have no control over the conditions, unless I knew it would survive in perfect condition. Pasteurized strong Fullers beers are not the same as a very delicate Weissbier that has never been available in cans before. Some beers are built for traveling and some are not. Let's see how this one does before we are clamouring for it at our local LCBO's hundreds of km's away from where it is made ok?
I know we all want the beer, hell I do these days as i do not live in Toronto any more, but I have no problem with these ultra small craft breweries - Dennison's, Church Key, Grand River - only making their beer available to select LCBO's near them (I do not know if this will be the case with Dennison's, but it is for the other two). It makes sense.
But come on Len, whether you get the beer or not, how can you say you are not excited about Dennison's being available in cans? This is perhaps the most highly regarded Ontario Craft Brew and it is finally available for take home consumption! This is a big step for one of Canada's most talented brewers, as a fan of great beer in this Province, I am very excited.
I think you are right. On one hand we want choice, on the other we become spoiled for it. There is some pleasure in finding good local gems and enjoying them. This does go away with too many options. I'm sure I overlook many great beers when I'm in the store because I have so many to choose from.
Local and focused works well for me as a consumer, though I generally don't admit it! I like to get anything I want wherever I want!
On the other hand, I resent a distribution system that makes it difficult for a brewer to do whatever they can to grow their business. If a brewer wants to restrict their geography to deliver the best product without shipping compromise great, but. if they want to grow their territory, why does it have to be made difficult for them?
