LC - What's gone RIGHT so far.

shintriad · Post by **shintriad** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:48 pm

SteelbackGuy wrote:
detritus wrote:This thread is depressing.

-Josh

I thought the point of the thread was to avoid the regular "LCBO sucks" chat, and actually focus on something positive. Obviously, we all know that the selection isn't fantastic, and I would usually agree with that.

So when a thread comes a long actually saying something constructive (and it doesn't happen often around here), someone has to piss in the corn flakes and ruin it.

Like I said, the LCBO can do a lot better 90% of them time, but there are good beers, and this thread was to discuss that....or at least that was my understanding.

Ironically, "piss and corn flakes" makes up the aroma and flavour profile of 95% of the LCBO's regular offerings! Sorry, couldn't resist

That said, the Sinha and Brooklyn make a great addition to my regular rotation. I like having the option of Duvel around as well.

You know what's awesome, but a lot of people overlook? Aecht Schlenkerla. You gotta be in the right mood, but it's a fantastic beer and there's always a ton of it on the shelves...mostly because people can't stand it.

detritus · Post by **detritus** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:59 pm

shintriad wrote:You know what's awesome, but a lot of people overlook? Aecht Schlenkerla. You gotta be in the right mood, but it's a fantastic beer and there's always a ton of it on the shelves...mostly because people can't stand it.

Agreed - although I'm not sure what the status of this beers is. The LCBO's inventory shows only 13 bottles in Toronto (in 3 stores) and a pretty uneven distribution around the rest of the province.

I can't remember the last time I saw it on the shelf.

-Josh

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:03 pm

My store usually has it. There's a few german guys who buy it, and I get about one every couple weeks.

This is one I forgot to mention earlier. A great beer.

Andicus · Post by **Andicus** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:39 pm

I'd be happy about the Brooklyn Lager, except that it seems to have unusual / limited distribution. It's not listed for St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Hamilton or Burlington...

Queef · Post by **Queef** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:49 pm

Belgian wrote:
A fresh bottle is always preferable to a fresh can, but this is Ontario and the craft beer industry has to grow by any means it can (no pun.).

sort of a catch 22 (for lack of better term). The liquor store by their own admission prefers single serve sales. So it almost strong arms craft brewers (ontario in specific) into selling LESS of their product for one sale.
Thats the part I don't agree with. Already they are catering to a small fraction of the market. People that prefer single serve one can/bottles area fraction of that fraction...
thats a ramble sorry if it doesn't make sense.

detritus · Post by **detritus** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:08 pm

Belgian wrote:A fresh bottle is always preferable to a fresh can, but this is Ontario and the craft beer industry has to grow by any means it can (no pun.)

Why? If you're pouring it into a glass anyway, what's the difference? If cans are cheaper (to produce), i'm happy to buy them if it means either lower prices, or higher profits for micros.

JesseM · Post by **JesseM** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:20 pm

detritus wrote:
Belgian wrote:A fresh bottle is always preferable to a fresh can, but this is Ontario and the craft beer industry has to grow by any means it can (no pun.)
Why? If you're pouring it into a glass anyway, what's the difference? If cans are cheaper (to produce), i'm happy to buy them if it means either lower prices, or higher profits for micros.

Yeah I really agree. I actually prefer cans to be honest, but only the 500ml ones (471 or whatever makes no sense to me). They're easier to recycle (as in, I don't have to put up with crap from the beer store), and I never run into the problem of dealing with a whole six-pack of something that I end up not liking. Also, in most university residences now, there's an anti-bottle policy, which makes things tricky for me

.

detritus · Post by **detritus** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:45 pm

JesseM wrote:
detritus wrote:
Belgian wrote:A fresh bottle is always preferable to a fresh can, but this is Ontario and the craft beer industry has to grow by any means it can (no pun.)
Why? If you're pouring it into a glass anyway, what's the difference? If cans are cheaper (to produce), i'm happy to buy them if it means either lower prices, or higher profits for micros.
Yeah I really agree. I actually prefer cans to be honest, but only the 500ml ones (471 or whatever makes no sense to me). They're easier to recycle (as in, I don't have to put up with crap from the beer store), and I never run into the problem of dealing with a whole six-pack of something that I end up not liking. Also, in most university residences now, there's an anti-bottle policy, which makes things tricky for me .

Huh? You're paying the same $0.10 deposit on a can as on a bottle, so you should still be returning them to the Beer Store. That is, unless you prefer to give the recycling revenue (on aluminum, I think they actually make money) on the can to your friendly municipality?

-Josh

JesseM · Post by **JesseM** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:01 pm

It's really not that big an issue to me. It's easier to put a can in the blue box, especially in my current situation, where in I get a $25 fine for every bottle I'm found with.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:51 pm

detritus wrote:
Belgian wrote:A fresh bottle is always preferable to a fresh can, but this is Ontario and the craft beer industry has to grow by any means it can (no pun.)
Why? If you're pouring it into a glass anyway, what's the difference?

Not to drink out of, no.

Cans eventually react with the contents, and they transfer temperature shocks a little quicker than glass does.

A keg is really just a big gigantic can that gets emptied within a few weeks. Same principle with cans - I buy 'em and drink 'em fairly soon.

detritus · Post by **detritus** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:54 pm

Belgian wrote:
detritus wrote:
Belgian wrote:A fresh bottle is always preferable to a fresh can, but this is Ontario and the craft beer industry has to grow by any means it can (no pun.)
Why? If you're pouring it into a glass anyway, what's the difference?
Not to drink out of, no.

Cans eventually react with the contents, and they transfer temperature shocks a little quicker than glass does.

A keg is really just a big gigantic can that gets emptied within a few weeks. Same principle with cans - I buy 'em and drink 'em fairly soon.

Is this true? I thought the inside of modern cans was coated with something to prevent (or to delay) such a reaction. Presumably kegs aren't so treated.

-Josh

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:14 pm

I don't know what they coat the inside of the cans with actually.

Plastics technology has gotten pretty good but I would not keep any canned beer for several years. (ad nauseum)

grub · Post by **grub** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:19 pm

Belgian wrote:Cans eventually react with the contents, and they transfer temperature shocks a little quicker than glass does.

A keg is really just a big gigantic can that gets emptied within a few weeks. Same principle with cans - I buy 'em and drink 'em fairly soon.

kegs are stainless steel, so not quite a "big gigantic can". they can also be aged long term (and many breweries do). there's really no need to empty them "within a few weeks".

as for temperature shock, unless you're exposing them to drastically hot or cold (ie: 150F+ or under 30F) repeatedly you'll never notice any problems, regardless of container.

detritus wrote:Is this true? I thought the inside of modern cans was coated with something to prevent (or to delay) such a reaction. Presumably kegs aren't so treated.

cans do have a coating to reduce any kind of flavour transfer/reaction. it is my understanding that this has improved in recent years, though there was a comment recently on here suggesting no change in the coating but better sealing of the tops. either way, they're better than they used to be and i have compared can+tap or bottle+can with no noticeable difference. though i'll admit to being uncertain about long term aging (ie: something like ten fidy would likley age well, but not so sure about doing that in a can).

kegs are stainless steel, so no need for coating afaik.

rudolf · Post by **rudolf** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:52 pm

GregClow wrote:
Queef wrote:what is the love for the single serve cans all about? People don't actually prefer their good beer out of a can do they?
Some of us don't buy into the old cliche that cans are inferior to bottles. So yes, there are people (like me) who prefer the single serving cans to six-packs of bottles.

I agree with you Greg, but beware the Stoutworm. Can sediment gets fuuuuunky.

-rudy

gardhouse · Post by **gardhouse** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:29 pm

First post on here - figured it'd only be polite of me instead of lurking for the better part of year.

This christmas, thanks to the LCBO's quality winter release and gift packs - and my good friends at Mill Street, I put together some amazing beer themed gifts packages for some of the beer loving folks in my life.

The response was amazing - most people did not know such interesting items where available at the old, bland LCBO. So not only did I introduce some new people to quality brews, but I had an easy and fun time doing christmas shopping... One person has already asked for beer related stuff for his birthday.

I guess what I am trying to say is, for all the LCBO mishaps, they pulled through this holiday season. I for one, am very thankfull!

* My gut however, may have a differing opinion on this matter.