LCBO Gift Packs 2007?

Jonesy · Post by **Jonesy** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:13 pm

Is it too early to start discussing this? Anyone know what's coming down the pipe?

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:36 pm

Both of ours are repeats...we have the Chimay Gift Pack with 3 x 330ml and glass as well as the Biere du Boucanier from Belgium with 6 x 330ml of 3 beers. Sam Smith was also selected but we ran into production problems and that product was cancelled this year.

runes · Post by **runes** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:38 pm

lcbo:give us 10,000 sam smith gift packs

sam smith: no

lcbo: yes dammit

sam smith: ok

problem solved

northyorksammy · Post by **northyorksammy** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:24 am

still what is brought in-great deals, great presents

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:29 pm

These gift packs seem to be in a rut - the boring ones keep coming back.

What was wrong with the Konongshoeven one for example, and the Maredsous one was also pretty great. Not to say St. Bernardus. An Achel gift pack would make sense. Man this is a dull place for beer.

Oops - I just googled 'Achel' 'Gift Pack' and apparently I said the same thing last year. Never mind. I'm the the only person on the planet who thinks this is a good idea. But you could all make inquiries to the LCBO if you have other ideas.

Because they have got your beer. And you're not getting it.

runes · Post by **runes** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:51 pm

Hasta la revolution siempre!!

Pub Style · Post by **Pub Style** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:22 am

Check out www.greatcanadianpubs.blogspot.com to check out the Steam Whistle gift pack.

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:01 am

The Koningshoeven gift box came in a master carton which was "oversized" and deemed unacceptable to the LCBO's warehouse. St. Bernardus switched from a 5 bottle gift box to one with 7 bottles which included all 7 of their beers...LCBO policy is that they will not buy any beer package with more than 6 bottles. We've presented Maredsous numerous times in the past few years only to be rejected.
Having said all of that, we hope to offer some really interesting and new packs for 2008.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:23 am

esprit wrote:The Koningshoeven gift box came in a master carton which was "oversized" and deemed unacceptable to the LCBO's warehouse. St. Bernardus switched from a 5 bottle gift box to one with 7 bottles which included all 7 of their beers...LCBO policy is that they will not buy any beer package with more than 6 bottles. We've presented Maredsous numerous times in the past few years only to be rejected.
Having said all of that, we hope to offer some really interesting and new packs for 2008.

Well it's all about what pleases the LCBO isn't it!?! (Not like it's a world-class retail service or anything.)

Hear that LCBO? It's all about you, you, you... we Ontarians hope you are happy with your perfect little fifedom. And keep up your awesome advertising because that 'We've got your beer / Beers of the World' propaganda really does show off how you can say one thing and do another thing.

(Anyway thank you Esprit.)

Gedge · Post by **Gedge** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:22 am

Peter - will the LCBO be carrying Chimay Blue on its own again this winter?

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 12:39 pm

Chimay Blue will not be offerred this year. We may pitch it for Autumn or Winter 2008...we have it available pretty much year-round in the Consignment program but that means full case purchases. Obviously it will be part of the Gift Box.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:11 pm

esprit wrote:LCBO policy is that they will not buy any beer package with more than 6 bottles.

What's up with that?

I've heard this was so they weren't in competition with The Beer Store. ie. Bulk beer was TBS domain. Why do they continue to cater to this duopoly?

Any chance TBS would carry St. Bernardus? That might actually bring me into their store (rather than just returning my empties). Plus they'd all be refridgerated.

Jan Primus · Post by **Jan Primus** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:21 pm

I guess they're willing to make an exception for the Guinness 8-pack...since they only sell 3 versions of the exact same product

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:35 pm

The LCBO and TBS have an understanding whereby the LCBO will only carry packages up to 6 bottles and TBS will carry anything else. Guiness was a grandfathered exception which apparently no longe exists. As for St. Bernardus or any other specialty pack in TBS, dream on...the cost to list a product in TBS is prohibitive which is why you don't see Chimay, Duvel, Mort Subite or any other specialties in TBS.
All I can say is, support the specialites that do come to the LCBO and, in the long run, one hopes that it will have an impact. In addition to Chimay White which has recently hit the General List (and I might add, doing extremely well), we'll have Sam Smith Nut Brown and Mort Subite Kriek on the shelves in the next few months and, if the LCBO can make up it's mind, Rogue Dead Guy Ale. Although monolithic, they do eventually react and we are thankful for that. Our brands are tiny but we still get opportunities so just please support those products if you want to see a greater variety in the future. It's great to dream about all of the other products that could be in the market but it's just that...dreaming. My hope is that the prvate members bill in Ontario proposiing domestic wines and beers in corner stores will pass. Under NAFTA and WTO, the LCBO would have no alternative other to offer imports as well. When your local provincial candidate comes knocking at your door, mention this to them....we need a small alternative distribution network for alcoholic beverages which the LCBO will not carry, which cannot be financially rationalized in TBS but could fulfill a niche through specialty beer and wine shops.

Jan Primus · Post by **Jan Primus** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 7:06 pm

Hey Peter...is the Duvel on the general list? Since I see it listed under the Halloween release I wonder if it's no longer a general lsiting.