Hi new to the forums, but I will be in the vacinity of a Total Wine outlet in North Carolina and will be returning mid July. For those that haven't had the pleasure, they have LARGE imported beer sections. I have photos. I spent a lengthy afternoon browsing. Should I be bringing extra Chimay Blue and Maredsous etc. (750's) back over the border or will these EVER be available up here? How much can I bring back per person over the border? Any requests?
M
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Belgians
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Illuminatus
- Posts: 229
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:33 am
- Location: Kitchener-Waterloo, ON
Welcome to the Towel. If memory serves, you're allowed to bring back the equivalent of a case of beer (Around 8L), assuming you're out of country for at least 48 hours. After that, you have to pay duties. (Hypothetically, you can bring back an obscenely large amount of alcohol, just as long as you're willing to pay duties and such.) As for Chimay Blue and Maredsous - both are available in Quebec, and the Chimay Blue pops up at the LCBO most years, usually in the fall/winter. Personally, I'd be bringing back Rochefort and some American IIPAs.Marlowe wrote:Hi new to the forums, but I will be in the vacinity of a Total Wine outlet in North Carolina and will be returning mid July. For those that haven't had the pleasure, they have LARGE imported beer sections. I have photos. I spent a lengthy afternoon browsing. Should I be bringing extra Chimay Blue and Maredsous etc. (750's) back over the border or will these EVER be available up here? How much can I bring back per person over the border? Any requests?
M
Cheers,
Tyler
The Summerhill and Queen's Quay (at Cooper St.) locations generally carry most or all of the beers available in the LCBO system. So any Belgians that are on the general list or in any current seasonal promotions should be available at both of those locations.Marlowe wrote:What are the good LCBO's to visit in Toronto for some Belgian beers?
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Brews Phillips
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2001 8:00 pm
- Location: Ottawa
Marlowe wrote:How much can I bring back per person over the border? M
Exemptions on alcohol are here:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts- ... 0-eng.html
What happens if you want to bring back both wine AND beer?
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Illuminatus
- Posts: 229
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:33 am
- Location: Kitchener-Waterloo, ON
I suggest hiding it in your stomach.Brews Phillips wrote:Marlowe wrote:How much can I bring back per person over the border? M
Exemptions on alcohol are here:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts- ... 0-eng.html
What happens if you want to bring back both wine AND beer?
As Illuminatus said above, anything above one case of beer or 1.5 L of wine means you get to cut the man a big cheque for the privilege.Brews Phillips wrote:Marlowe wrote:How much can I bring back per person over the border? M
Exemptions on alcohol are here:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts- ... 0-eng.html
What happens if you want to bring back both wine AND beer?
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esprit
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2001 8:00 pm
- Location: Esprit Agencies-Toronto
Hello guys...remember me? I'm the agent for Chimay and Rochefort. We have good stock of Chimay Blue and although we just sold the last of our Rochefort (all 3) we have another shipment coming in shortly and we're taking resevations. We also have all 3 Maredsous in stock. Contact me by e-mail if you're not familiar with us.
Peter
espritagencies@sympatico.ca
Peter
espritagencies@sympatico.ca
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Jon Walker
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1899
- Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2001 8:00 pm
- Location: Wherever you go there you are
I think Peter and Esprit are the way to go in this situation. First off, assuming you brought back product from North Carolina for all the folks who asked you to. The purchase price is unlikely to be a huge bargain considering some other factors. You are going to incur more gas (heavier weight in the vehicle over that distance it adds up) plus all the duty at the border. The final price for those lucky enough to have you do this favor is unlikely to result in a huge savings to them (versus the Esprit price) and a lot of hassle to you. Quite aside from the point that it's actually illegal to buy beer out of province on behalf of others and then "sell" it to them...but, what the government doesn't know...just don't admit they're for other people when asked at the border!
Other than potential expediency (your N.C. purchase of Rochefort for example could make it here before Esprit's) the hassle and lack of real discount seem to make the venture rather unwise.
If you were buying beers in N.C. completely unavailable here then that would be another story. My advice, buy Chimay and Rochefort from Esprit and save yourself the hassle.
NOTE: If you happen across any Terrepin Big Hoppy Monster then I'm in for a case!
Other than potential expediency (your N.C. purchase of Rochefort for example could make it here before Esprit's) the hassle and lack of real discount seem to make the venture rather unwise.
If you were buying beers in N.C. completely unavailable here then that would be another story. My advice, buy Chimay and Rochefort from Esprit and save yourself the hassle.
NOTE: If you happen across any Terrepin Big Hoppy Monster then I'm in for a case!
I don't always piss in a bottle but when I do...I prefer to call it Dos Equis.
Maredsous beers rock, I like the 10 very much. It is exactly the same style as Rochefort 10, which has a similar name.
No it isn't but it's a great Abbey ale ('tripel' if you like) and made under license by Duvel-Moortgat - who I think are an excellent company so far. Let's see how D-M handle Liefmans now that they own this quirky little brewery as well.
No it isn't but it's a great Abbey ale ('tripel' if you like) and made under license by Duvel-Moortgat - who I think are an excellent company so far. Let's see how D-M handle Liefmans now that they own this quirky little brewery as well.
In Beerum Veritas
Are you arguing with yourself?Belgian wrote:Maredsous beers rock, I like the 10 very much. It is exactly the same style as Rochefort 10, which has a similar name.
No it isn't but it's a great Abbey ale ('tripel' if you like) and made under license by Duvel-Moortgat - who I think are an excellent company so far. Let's see how D-M handle Liefmans now that they own this quirky little brewery as well.
And the Liefman's purchase has yet to be confirmed. The bankruptcy trustees were hoping to attract other bidders as of the end of April.
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esprit
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2001 8:00 pm
- Location: Esprit Agencies-Toronto
We just received a shipment of Maredsous and the prices, including bottle deposit, per case of 24 x 330ml are as follows:
Maredsous 6 $92.40
Maredsous 8 $97.20
Maredsous 10 $100.80
I doubt you can buy any of our Belgians in the U.S. for less than what we sell for. Called Premier Gourmet in Buffalo the other day...Rochefort 8 is going for $6.49 and Rochefort 10 is $6.99 (not sure if they have sales tax on top of this). Our current prices in CAD are $4.80 and $6.10 respectively...it ain't worth the drive to Acton!
Maredsous 6 $92.40
Maredsous 8 $97.20
Maredsous 10 $100.80
I doubt you can buy any of our Belgians in the U.S. for less than what we sell for. Called Premier Gourmet in Buffalo the other day...Rochefort 8 is going for $6.49 and Rochefort 10 is $6.99 (not sure if they have sales tax on top of this). Our current prices in CAD are $4.80 and $6.10 respectively...it ain't worth the drive to Acton!
Depending where you are in Scarlem, the Bayview Village LCBO might be closer, and it's pretty good too.
If you're looking for cases, Espirit is probably the way to go. I picked up the Rochfort 10 and it was less per bottle than most US stores... so if you have to pay duty on top of that, it's a no-brainer. I typically don't purchase by the case, but you can certainly cellar these Belgians for quite some time.
Rolland & Russel and another importer (Wine Guys?) carry some Belgians as well.
If you're looking for cases, Espirit is probably the way to go. I picked up the Rochfort 10 and it was less per bottle than most US stores... so if you have to pay duty on top of that, it's a no-brainer. I typically don't purchase by the case, but you can certainly cellar these Belgians for quite some time.
Rolland & Russel and another importer (Wine Guys?) carry some Belgians as well.