LCBO Fall Release

StevenThrasher · Post by **StevenThrasher** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:38 am

Jan Primus wrote:Must say, I like your style.

Thanks Jan. I like to plan ahead. One way to get around the LCBO’s lack of consistency of stock is to buy large quantities when available. The Westmalle Dubbel is hardly a “seasonal”. It’s very enjoyable any time of year. I still have some Westmalle Tripel, Chimay White Cap and Rochefort 8 from the winter release though I should have bought more. Learned my lesson: Buy at least a 1 year supply. The Westmalle Dubbel I like better than all 3 of those so I’ll be all over it when it is out. Got a whack of Rochefort 10 and Chimay Blue (Grand Reserve) on order from Peter from way back. Should fill out my cellar nicely soon when that gets here. Fortunately the LCBO seems to get my favourite overall beer (Orval) once every year so I have lots of that in my cellar, both 2004 and 2005 vintages.

Belgian wrote:The Dubbel really caught my attention..

I think I need to change my name to “Belgian 2.” Trappist/Abbeys are my favourite.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:08 pm

StevenThrasher wrote:One way to get around the LCBO’s lack of consistency of stock is to buy large quantities when available. The Westmalle Dubbel is hardly a “seasonal”. It’s very enjoyable any time of year.

Indeed the 'seasonal' idea seems like a Machiavellian euphemism. 'Seasonals' are in every practical respect a means to meet the LCBO's political obligations (variety of globally well-recognized products) while preventing a market foothold that sustains demand (in contrast to the free-market world, they're so low-volume & disappear so quickly, they remain 'cult' items that don't become widely broadcast, whilst our expectations are kept artificially low by the pattern.)

In a word I think it's all about 'control' which funnily enough is their middle name.

Belgian wrote:The Dubbel really caught my attention..

StevenThrasher wrote:I think I need to change my name to “Belgian 2.” Trappist/Abbeys are my favourite.

"Belgian to Infinity ∞", no give backs!

Yes I am stunned and grateful when the LCBO, the faceless unaccountable crown-corp, succumb to the Cosmic Will of bringing to us the very godheads of the brewing art!

While the LC (in all its funny-minded buying policies) may never serve a true demand-based "American" retail model, all we can do is encourage & communicate so they at least serve our niche market once in a while. It never hurts to e-mail them, 3 or 4 times a year regarding the seasonals.

StevenThrasher · Post by **StevenThrasher** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:26 pm

Belgian wrote: It never hurts to e-mail them, 3 or 4 times a year regarding the seasonals.

Good idea. I've never done this. What is the best e-mail address to use? Has anyone got the direct e-mail address of the person or persons making these decisions?

I also hope to do my part by buying a large quantity of the beer I like. Perhaps if they take notice on how quickly it sells out that will encourage an all year round listing. They have the Chimay Premiere which seems to sell well. Why not Westmalle Dubbel?

Instead of these sporadic releases of few of the good beers into a lot of LCBOs I'm fully confident the LCBO could really kill with a single store somewhere in Toronto which just specialized in only top beers. I'd love to locally load up on Rochefort, Chimay, Westmalle, Alesmith, Great Divide, Stone, Victory, Three Floyds, so many more, any time of the year.

I know, never gonna happen, but I can dream.

If one were allowed to own a store like that in Ontario, I'd be first in line to quit my job and open up that specialty beer store.

Of course in the end I'd probably end up selling Budweiser and Blue to make ends meet but even if I had one corner of good beer that would still make me happy.

Jan Primus · Post by **Jan Primus** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:42 pm

StevenThrasher wrote:
Jan Primus wrote:Must say, I like your style.
Thanks Jan. I like to plan ahead. One way to get around the LCBO’s lack of consistency of stock is to buy large quantities when available. The Westmalle Dubbel is hardly a “seasonal”. It’s very enjoyable any time of year. I still have some Westmalle Tripel, Chimay White Cap and Rochefort 8 from the winter release though I should have bought more. Learned my lesson: Buy at least a 1 year supply. The Westmalle Dubbel I like better than all 3 of those so I’ll be all over it when it is out. Got a whack of Rochefort 10 and Chimay Blue (Grand Reserve) on order from Peter from way back. Should fill out my cellar nicely soon when that gets here. Fortunately the LCBO seems to get my favourite overall beer (Orval) once every year so I have lots of that in my cellar, both 2004 and 2005 vintages.

Belgian wrote:The Dubbel really caught my attention..
I think I need to change my name to “Belgian 2.” Trappist/Abbeys are my favourite.

Yup, gots to plan ahead. I'm just finishing off my 10th case of Rochefort10 that Igot from Peter last summer (it really has improved to).

In hindsight, I wish I grabbed more than 5 cases of 60min but I didn't want to be too greedy at the time.

The westmalle dubble is one of my fave Belgians, I'll certainly grab a few of those.

Here is what $240usd got me last Friday at PG, buying my belgians through Peter or LCBO seasonals to stretch the buck at PG:

24 90 min ipa
6 southern tier ipa
6 smutty nose ipa
6 victory hop devil
6 weyerbacher hop infusion
6 victory storm king
6 weyerbacher old heathen
6 great lakes porter
6 avery out of bounds stout
3 sothern tier java stout
3 oak aged old yeti
3 weyerbavher heresy
3 bear rebuplic imp stouts

and duties were $85 cdn.

Ale's What Cures Ya · Post by **Ale's What Cures Ya** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:25 pm

Looks like a great haul man. Did you happen to notice if they had any Stone yet?

I'm headed there this weekend with about 200 to spend. Definitely picking up some Southern Tier IPA, Unearthly, and Jah-Va and some Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald.

Then I'll just roam the aisles filling the cart with random bottles, like always

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:27 pm

Jan Primus wrote:...I'm just finishing off my 10th case of Rochefort10 that Igot from Peter last summer.

Wow, JP if I drink a single 10% beer it is an occasional treat.

I'm not judgemental, but that Rochefort 10 alone constitutes EIGHT LITERS of pure alcohol contained in the beer.

You could drive to Guelph on that!

Jan Primus · Post by **Jan Primus** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:49 pm

DragonOfBlood wrote:Looks like a great haul man. Did you happen to notice if they had any Stone yet?

I'm headed there this weekend with about 200 to spend. Definitely picking up some Southern Tier IPA, Unearthly, and Jah-Va and some Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald.

Then I'll just roam the aisles filling the cart with random bottles, like always

Sorry, no Stone. I called Beers of the World to see if the had Stone RIS in stock, they said they don't have any stone at this time...so I didn't bother driving the extra distance. No problemo, since the shelves were nicely stocked at PG.

Jan Primus · Post by **Jan Primus** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:55 pm

Belgian wrote:
Jan Primus wrote:...I'm just finishing off my 10th case of Rochefort10 that Igot from Peter last summer.
Wow, JP if I drink a single 10% beer it is an occasional treat.

I'm not judgemental, but that Rochefort 10 alone constitutes EIGHT LITERS of pure alcohol contained in the beer.

You could drive to Guelph on that!

No offense taken, I mainly drink it to suport the local charities the Monestary supports. Seriously though, the Rochefort 10 is my staple beer, so 1 case a month and I do share plenty with those I deem worthy as well...so I don't feel I have a problem=).

I am down to only a few though, and now that they have about 1.5 yrs on them they are amazing indeed...and no replacements in sight

Ale's What Cures Ya · Post by **Ale's What Cures Ya** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:09 pm

Jan Primus wrote:
DragonOfBlood wrote:Looks like a great haul man. Did you happen to notice if they had any Stone yet?

I'm headed there this weekend with about 200 to spend. Definitely picking up some Southern Tier IPA, Unearthly, and Jah-Va and some Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald.

Then I'll just roam the aisles filling the cart with random bottles, like always
Sorry, no Stone. I called Beers of the World to see if the had Stone RIS in stock, they said they don't have any stone at this time...so I didn't bother driving the extra distance. No problemo, since the shelves were nicely stocked at PG.

Damn, I wonder when the east coast distribution problem is going to be settled. It's been too long since I've had a Stone brew.

Jan Primus · Post by **Jan Primus** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:17 pm

Me too, I was fantasizing having cases of the RIS and IPA on the way up, things worked out fine though.

Ale's What Cures Ya · Post by **Ale's What Cures Ya** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:22 pm

One other question dude, did you notice if there were some Southern Tier Unearthly and some Southern Tier Jah-Va still hanging out on the shelves?

Jan Primus · Post by **Jan Primus** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 7:55 pm

DragonOfBlood wrote:One other question dude, did you notice if there were some Southern Tier Unearthly and some Southern Tier Jah-Va still hanging out on the shelves?

Definately some Jah-va stout...I think there was Unearthly but not 100% sure, ask Gmonk on the "planning a trip to premiere" thread, he works there, and checks in here regularly.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:50 pm

Jan Primus wrote: No offense taken, I mainly drink it to suport the local charities the Monestary supports. Seriously though, the Rochefort 10 is my staple beer, so 1 case a month and I do share plenty with those I deem worthy as well...so I don't feel I have a problem=).

No explanation necessary.

StevenThrasher · Post by **StevenThrasher** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:36 pm

Jan Primus wrote:Must say, I like your style.

Jan Primus wrote:I'm just finishing off my 10th case of Rochefort10 that Igot from Peter last summer (it really has improved to).

Sir, I must say I like your style.

I'm envious. I only got one case last time from Peter. This time I have 5 on order. Again should have got more. I suspect I could have made Rochefort 10 a staple beer if I had enough of it. Sadly it could only be considered a special treat.

Jan Primus wrote:Here is what $240usd got me last Friday at PG, buying my belgians through Peter or LCBO seasonals to stretch the buck at PG:

24 90 min ipa
6 southern tier ipa
6 smutty nose ipa
6 victory hop devil
6 weyerbacher hop infusion
6 victory storm king
6 weyerbacher old heathen
6 great lakes porter
6 avery out of bounds stout
3 sothern tier java stout
3 oak aged old yeti
3 weyerbavher heresy
3 bear rebuplic imp stouts

and duties were $85 cdn.

Wow. Fantastic haul. Last time I was there in Nov 2005 they didn't have any Victory, DFH, or Great Divide products. Hardly seems worth going the extra distance to BOTW in Rochester any more.
I'm going to Niagara Falls on Monday on a family event. I might sneek across the border to the PG.

I'm in Philadelphia on business right now. Have a corporate credit card and am 5 mins away from this fine establishment:

http://www.isaacnewtons.com/beers.html

I must try a DRAFT St Bernardus Abt 12

Never had a Belgian Quad as a draft. I hope the coming soon is old news and that it now available.

They've got some fine American craft beers too.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:48 pm

I've never been, but you should also check out Monk's Cafe:
http://www.monkscafe.com

16th & Spruce Streets - Philadelphia, PA - 215-545-7005
11:30a-2a daily (full menu until 1 a.m. nightly)

They've got the St. Bernardus & many others too!

Also, my wife picked up some rare bottles from The Foodery:
324 S 10th St (10th & Pine St.), Philadelphia

(quite expensive though).