The Bar Towel

zombi69 wrote:

dutchcanuck wrote:Has anyone started calling the LCBOs yet to determine if any have stock? I'd call myself, but can't really get away with that from work.

I'm getting Tuesday the earliest from pretty much all the LCBO's on the list.

Me too. There's certainly none in the stores now. So TONIGHT would be the night to camp out, but it's going down to -7 so bring a 4 season tent.

Called a couple and they said that they were expecting it today, but it's been delayed and should be in some time in the next week... I didn't even have to say the name, just mentioned that I wanted to check on the availability of a beer coming in. Also suggested the best bet is to just keep calling daily. I feel bad pestering them, but if the LCBO had a reliable inventory system we could just watch the website...

Is it possible that it might hit shelves later today? I remember the Best of Beau's gift pack (from all of two weeks ago) was in a similar situation, where it had a product listing awaiting shipping/stocking but still didn't show up on the website. With the Beau's Gift Pack the diligent shelve stackers at Younge and Summerhill had it on the shelves pretty much as soon as they got it. I have a feeling that some stores might get it today and just be eager enough to toss it on the shelves by this evening...

Look for this to hit the shelves (in most cases) Wednesday morning. Why? Because that's December 12th. Westvleteren 12 --- 12.12.12 --- get it? At least one LCBO manager has stated he will be limiting these to one pack per person, at least initially.

groulxsome wrote:Is it possible that it might hit shelves later today? I remember the Best of Beau's gift pack (from all of two weeks ago) was in a similar situation, where it had a product listing awaiting shipping/stocking but still didn't show up on the website. With the Beau's Gift Pack the diligent shelve stackers at Younge and Summerhill had it on the shelves pretty much as soon as they got it. I have a feeling that some stores might get it today and just be eager enough to toss it on the shelves by this evening...

My understanding, though, is that the first deliveries of the week don't go out until late tonight. I think the Beau's pack got delivered on a Friday.

I guess anything's possible, but I wouldn't worry about until at least tomorrow morning. I know in the U.S. a lot of places are waiting until the 12th, but I'm guessing that as soon as some managers get it they'll put it out.

My question to the folks getting a pack, and who haven't tried it before...

Are you going to age all six, or are you going to drink one fresh, out of curiosity?

I'm wondering, if I end get one, if I'll be too tempted to just open one up, even though it's still young.

Also, we don't exactly know how young these bottles are, do we?

JeffPorter wrote:Also, we don't exactly know how young these bottles are, do we?

the caps are generally dated, so you'll know once it's in hand anyway.

Looks like the US is getting this as well.
On 12/12/12 across the country

http://121212xii.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/hello-world/

The monks have really decided to break with tradition.

JeffPorter wrote:My question to the folks getting a pack, and who haven't tried it before...

Are you going to age all six, or are you going to drink one fresh, out of curiosity?

I'm wondering, if I end get one, if I'll be too tempted to just open one up, even though it's still young.

Also, we don't exactly know how young these bottles are, do we?

Re: Beau's, yah they shipped out on Friday, which is when Y&SH put it out on the shelves. But if they the LCBO doesn't ship anything until Monday night then I guess it won't be hitting shelves for a while...

Re: Aging. I haven't had Westy before and I intend to try one as soon as/if I get the pack. My reasoning was something Dr. Bill Sysak said while I was watching the live stream of the Stone Epic Vertical tasting (I need to get a life). Basically, to see how a beer ages you need to know how it tasted before you aged it. You can't really tell if it changed or improved if you have no idea what to compare it to, so I plan on drinking my first one knowing full well that it might not be at its best. I'm putting two away for aging and the other three I have promised to friends home in Newfoundland. I'm not sure what they are going to do with them (they've never had them before, and rarely had any Trappist's at all, as Newfoundland doesn't get beer yet). I think if I was only getting one I'd wait two years before opening it but because I'm getting three I can use it as an experiment in aging.

Part of me hopes that someone buys the six pack with the intention of "sessioning" it at a house party like it was a six of anything else... :p I'm sure some rich douche will attempt this.

groulxsome wrote: Basically, to see how a beer ages you need to know how it tasted before you aged it. You can't really tell if it changed or improved if you have no idea what to compare it to...

It always amazes me how many people fail to see this logic. It seems simple and obvious but I have lost count of the number of times that someone has told me or posted on BT or BA they are aging a beer they haven't had fresh...

TheSevenDuffs wrote:

groulxsome wrote: Basically, to see how a beer ages you need to know how it tasted before you aged it. You can't really tell if it changed or improved if you have no idea what to compare it to...

It always amazes me how many people fail to see this logic. It seems simple and obvious but I have lost count of the number of times that someone has told me or posted on BT or BA they are aging a beer they haven't had fresh...

The thing about aging beer is, when you finally crack it open after a year or more, do you really remember what it tasted like fresh without being able to do a vertical?

IPA_Lover wrote:

TheSevenDuffs wrote:

groulxsome wrote: Basically, to see how a beer ages you need to know how it tasted before you aged it. You can't really tell if it changed or improved if you have no idea what to compare it to...

It always amazes me how many people fail to see this logic. It seems simple and obvious but I have lost count of the number of times that someone has told me or posted on BT or BA they are aging a beer they haven't had fresh...

The thing about aging beer is, when you finally crack it open after a year or more, do you really remember what it tasted like fresh without being able to do a vertical?

I usually remember tastes pretty well, plus I generally try to take notes, especially when planning on tasting the beer later after aging. Most of my aging experience is with homebrew anyway, so I usually don't have the chance to taste fresh vs. aged in a vertical! Granted, I have preconceived notions about which is going to be better and already my tasting might be biased (I'm opening this one for tasting, the other might be a special occasion, etc.). I would love to do a vertical though!

Basically at some point great beer is just great and anything else is a bonus. I'm not really that hard to please!

if you want to spend $15 when you've been told that it isn't at its best, then do so.
i'd rather listen to the oft-repeated consumer opinion and save my money then drink one out of curiosity and be disappointed.

it's like going to a restaurant based on your friend's recommendation.

"So what did you order that you liked?"

"I really dug the steak, but my friend ordered the bass and it was disgusting."

"thanks!"

(goes to restaurant). Server: "I recommend the steak. it is what we're known for."
"Great! I'll get the bass."

I went to one store and was told by the manager that they had received an email stating delivery has been delayed until Wednesday. Not sure if this is system-wide or Leaside only. She was taking names on a list. The list was very lengthy at this point. She said she will be limiting to one pack per customer (unclear if this is her personal policy or system-wide).

On the cellaring question, if I'm lucky enough to get a pack, I plan to drink one bottle right away. Maybe Christmas day.

midlife crisis wrote:I went to one store and was told by the manager that they had received an email stating delivery has been delayed until Wednesday. Not sure if this is system-wide or Leaside only. She was taking names on a list. The list was very lengthy at this point. She said she will be limiting to one pack per customer (unclear if this is her personal policy or system-wide).

This is what I was told too. Thursday might now be the day.