LCBO Spring release

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:37 pm

You're not a hypocrite, you are simply an advocate of quality & choice.

Radical USA Micro beer styles like the Dogfish 60 getting around Ontario might make our scene more creative than what we now have - a handful of brilliant Micro beers + plenty of dull Lagers.

Right now guys like Dogfish can afford to produce the most radical beers to sell here because they already have a strong principal market back home in the USA. The Americans have the advantage of a sizable population segment that 'knows' beer, while here it's smaller & much more underground. So maybe the US can give our own scene a "boost."

(I can't wait to freak some people out with the Oak Yeti when it arrives.)

Beer Geek · Post by **Beer Geek** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:34 am

Belgian wrote:
Zithal wrote:On one hand I SUPER PISSED OFF that I can't get any without a road trip. On the other hand, this better be a BIG F'N wakeup call for the LCBO. I doubt it. They'll just bring in more Euro-Lagers.
Are you SUPER SURE they won't "IST" you a few cases? Have you asked a store manager at one or two LCs in your area?

Transferring from, say:

2946 BLOOR STREET WEST - or - 3020 ELMCREEK RD.

Have you really asked? It is highly uncharacteristic of the LCBO (as a pseudo-egalitarian big-brother entity) to leave some areas out in the cold without even trying to look like they're making an effort.

Kingston just got five cases of DFH at one store that told people it wasn't coming, so anything is possible... you should explain your plight, they should at least consider an IST request on basic principle. Just because something's in brisk demand doesn't give them the right to throw up their hands and say 'too much work for one day' and forget generally fair policy ----- it's the ONTARIO liquor board, THEY chose to represent a whole damn province, so let them deal with these complications.

They just delivered 22 cases to Kingsway, for God's sake... push them a little on the 'fair policy' thing and get your two cases transferred to Smalltown Kitchener.

The problem is that none of the LCBOs in the "Big Onion" want to part with their allotted cases of the DFH. It's not that the LCBOs in Kitchener do not want to help us out. They would love to do an IST but their hands are tied. I understand now why they call Toronto - "Hogtown"!!!

inertiaboy · Post by **inertiaboy** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 12:33 pm

Zithal wrote:Just got off the phone with one of the K/W LCBO's and they mentioned that since the article on the beer was released, there's now not enough product to ship to the outlying cities. Toronto Metro a few other places have it, but they won't be shipping ANY our way.

I'm hearing something similar in Ottawa. My local LCBO indicated that they did not think any was being shipped to Ottawa but that they have put in an order for me to try to get some. They also mentioned that it is now available on their system to order and that they see that there is a bunch "in bond" in the warehouse. They were unclear when I asked exactly what that meant but they were up front in telling me that they might not be able to get it even if they ordered it.

Luckily, my parents live near the Collingwood store so they swung by and picked up an insurance case for me. Looks like someone else has the same idea since they sold two cases yesterday.

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 12:45 pm

I've made an inquiry to the LCBO and hope to hear from them on Monday but I'm pretty sure Ottawa and area will get their allocation. The first shipments of product are on an allocation basis and some is alllocated to each regional warehouse. Only after that can stores order more stock. Ottawa is usually notoriously slow getting the product and then distributing it so be patient.

Al of Kingston · Post by **Al of Kingston** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 1:48 pm

Continuing the complete DHF60 disclosure, I picked up a 2-4 today at the Bath Street LCBO. Last one there.

midlife crisis · Post by **midlife crisis** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 2:32 pm

I went for a drive and checked out the Royal York and Bloor location. Bought a case - there were six cases remaining on the floor at 1 p.m.

Hamilton Brian · Post by **Hamilton Brian** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 2:42 pm

FWIW, my case was labelled 552 of 668. I'm not aware of any particular significance but my first thought would be, "Hmmm...they've ordered 668 cases."

Jon Walker · Post by **Jon Walker** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 3:07 pm

Hamilton Brian wrote:FWIW, my case was labelled 552 of 668. I'm not aware of any particular significance but my first thought would be, "Hmmm...they've ordered 668 cases."

Or that was the run number for the case when packaged. Peter @ Esprit aready confirmed my info that the order was 400 cases.

Duct Tape · Post by **Duct Tape** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:32 pm

I bought all 8 bottles on the Shelf at St Clair west at around 9:45am today. Doubt they have any more since inventory control online from the 27th said they had 24 then.

JWalter · Post by **JWalter** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:30 pm

Just some info, perhaps I'll check this again in a week, I just searched on DFH60 Minute on the LCBO website, pasted the results table of stores w/ stock and SUMmed the Quantity on Hand column and it totals 1463 bottles, or 60.9 cases. I don't think this is a complete picture of their inventory, but it'll be interesting to check it in say 1 week and see if either the number has gone up (more of the 400 cases have made it from a central warehouse out to the stores), or down (everything HAS made it out to the stores and is just waiting to sell through). I had a bottle tonight while BBQ'ing, so nice to be able to enjoy a wicked IPA like this and not feel like you have to ration it!

Certainly in my time on bartowel, no season release has caused this kind of excitement. I seem to remember folks getting excited about the Saison Dupont, and certainly also when Sgt. Major's was initial bottled, but this is a new level of zeal...

Mr. Ken Woods: Couldn't you do a limited run of bottled HOP BOMB?? That would be sick!

RyanWright · Post by **RyanWright** » Mon May 01, 2006 11:37 am

Mr. Woods, if there was any possibility of bottled Hop Bomb (even if only at the brewery), it would be awesome! I would support this with my wallet for sure!

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon May 01, 2006 12:03 pm

Beer Geek wrote:The problem is that none of the LCBOs in the "Big Onion" want to part with their allotted cases of the DFH. It's not that the LCBOs in Kitchener do not want to help us out. They would love to do an IST but their hands are tied. I understand now why they call Toronto - "Hogtown"!!!

Well that's not right... that's a lazy shortcut for them to take, ie. just because Toronto can 'get rid of' all the stock, doesn't mean that can be their only tunnel-vision directive. They are being exceedingly complacent to ignore their very real 'crown corp' responsibilities to your region's needs. YOU pay taxes, this IS important.

In the LC system that prohibits private retailers operating anywhere in the province, the LCBO directives have to be a bit more egalitarian to Ontario cities like yours. They cannot "have it both ways" and suddenly behave like regional independent retailers whenever it suits them.

I'd complain loudly about this to the LCBO Head Office, harass a Toronto Store or two & get some of these guys off their ass! Easy for me to say I know.

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Mon May 01, 2006 1:33 pm

The Spadina & Dundas location suddenly got some DFH stock at some point in the last couple of days. The website says there were 86 bottles as of yesterday. When I went at lunch today, there were 3 six-packs (of which I bought 2) and 2 loose bottles on the shelf - could be more in the back as well. Something for downtowners who are jonesing for more to check out.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon May 01, 2006 2:27 pm

GregClow wrote:The Spadina & Dundas location suddenly got some

Thanks Greg, I was going over there later myself!

shintriad · Post by **shintriad** » Mon May 01, 2006 3:58 pm

I saw the listing on the LCBO website on Sunday, and was shocked. I immediately instructed my girlfriend, a U of T student, to pick some up on Monday before class. (Needless to say, I have the best girlfriend ever.)

But I'm sorry to announce that it was the last sixer on the shelves. There may be more in the back, but you should call ahead and see.

Apologies in advance if I denied anyone the taste of this (relatively) exotic liquor. It was not my intention to clear the shelf, just to buy enough for a good-beer night with friends.

If you have no other recourse, PM me. Maybe we can do a small-scale trade...I have other offerings from my cellar as well.

The Bar Towel

LCBO Spring release

American VS Ontarian: let me be contrarian...