Fresh Founders Centennial at the LCBO

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:57 pm

Cass wrote:
squeaky wrote:Thing is though, they already figured out most of those issues. Surely once you've done it once (or for like, 2 years or whatever) it's easier after that? You already have the proper labels designed and the shipping figured out, etc.
You're right, but the LCBO has a way of throwing curveballs at you. Even with those things figured out there are some well-publicized policies that don't change - LCBO shippers only (can't arrange shipping yourself), long payment terms (many US brewers are used to C.O.D.), un-refrigerated storage & conditions, having to guarantee sales or the brewery is on the hook for leftovers - the list goes on. At a certain point these just add up to too much of a hassle, when as pointed out earlier they can move volume to another state by having a truck come to your back door and hand over a cheque (obviously oversimplifying things but you know what I mean).

For sure. The LCBO's obviously a hassle to deal with. It's just strange to me that they went to all the effort for so long, just to pull the plug now. I wonder if something changed, or if it's just an accumulation of things?

Kel Varnsen · Post by **Kel Varnsen** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 1:05 pm

I imagine too that with the way the LCBO release schedule works, Founders can't really use their special releases to push sales for all their brands. I mean my understanding is that in the states a KBS release is a big deal and people will line up for that kind of thing. I have to think that the buzz around KBS, or similar beers, would push up sales of the other Founder's beers. If KBS gets released on a specific day, I am not sure how much coordination you would have to have with the LCBO to make sure the Ontario release doesn't happen 2 months later.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:52 pm

Cass wrote:You're right, but the LCBO has a way of throwing curveballs at you.

I remember contacting some wineries that delivered some extremely nice LCBO imports only to quickly disappear - products I missed enough to follow up on. The gist of their response was everyone hates working with the pedantic & officious LCBO for limited reward.

Doesn't seem to be a climate that encourages high-demand producers to participate in our market. Should we expect more duds from middling brewers eager to hawk their wares?

cheechonaleash · Post by **cheechonaleash** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 10:24 pm

One step forward, two steps back. Such a huge disappointment.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 10:46 am

Belgian wrote:
Cass wrote:You're right, but the LCBO has a way of throwing curveballs at you.
I remember contacting some wineries that delivered some extremely nice LCBO imports only to quickly disappear - products I missed enough to follow up on. The gist of their response was everyone hates working with the pedantic & officious LCBO for limited reward.

Doesn't seem to be a climate that encourages high-demand producers to participate in our market. Should we expect more duds from middling brewers eager to hawk their wares?

I think there's a weird thing that happens here. 'Hot' breweries in the U.S. are used to everyone bending over backwards to please them and get their beers. They're like, "we don't need to give you our beer so do what we tell you."

But then in Ontario the 'BO is like, "well, we don't need you either, so you do what WE tell you". So it becomes this odd stalemate.

Just my impression of things. But clearly in the end, the consumer (us), loses.

El Pinguino · Post by **El Pinguino** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 12:20 pm

Why cant we all just get along?

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 9:02 pm

El Pinguino wrote:Why cant we all just get along without?

- fixed that for you.

sprague11 · Post by **sprague11** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 3:24 pm

Gonna write to customer service (and Founders) to express my disappointment. I'm putting the blame on the 'Bo this time, though facts can always change my opinion.

El Pinguino · Post by **El Pinguino** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 8:13 pm

Belgian wrote:
El Pinguino wrote:Why cant we all just get along without?
- fixed that for you.

Hehe...thanks Belgian...I knew something looked wrong when I typed that

dale cannon · Post by **dale cannon** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 8:01 pm

sprague11 · Post by **sprague11** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 9:49 am

That six weeks plus of age really helps.

cfrancis · Post by **cfrancis** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 11:42 pm

Picked up what could be my last 6er of this from the LCBO. sniff.

I don't really need it as I'm sitting on half a case of Heady but I can't sit and then not have anything left when I want some. Looks like I need to pound the IPA's.

kevinlater · Post by **kevinlater** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 7:56 am

dale cannon wrote:burp

centennial ipa burps are truly glorious