The Bar Towel

Gunny wrote:

Hamilton Brian wrote:

Cass wrote:
I don't believe Sleeman is killing Unibroue so we can relax and enjoy a Trois Pistoles.

You might be able to. I can't find it in Hamilton nor Burlington.

The Beer Store on Cootes Drive has some. Brewed in March of this year.

Salut

I've bought Trois Pistoles at the Appleby Line BS in Burlington.

I've heard from alot of customers that they've had problems finding Unibroue. I've talked to my Sleeman rep, and he's not sure what's going on, but unfortunately, he never really seems to know what is going on.

I'm starting to become a little concerned here. Every beer store and LCBO I've been to lately seems to be selling the Unibroue stock they have, and they're not re-stocking. My local LCBO's Unibroue shelf space has been completely empty for weeks. Any insight on this? Needless to say that the loss of Unibroue products in Ontario would brutal.

You know I think I will buy a few hundred bucks of UNIBROUE Belgi-Ales in Kingston this weekend, because these brews DO have three desirable attributes:

- Perversely underpriced Belgians
- Supreme quality and taste
- Tremendous aging potential, no spoilage

.(That is my intention until AlTheBeerBlogger, in his inimitable way reads my post and raids all the stores first., grr!)

I was thinking the other day that Blanche De Chambly, for all its relative simplicity, is one of the best I've enjoyed. Other Uni-beers offer greater body and intensity, which is all extra bonus but Chambly for what it is lacks nothing at all IMHO

I think you got the right idea Belgian. I would say that 50% of what I buy is Unibroue for the reasons you mentioned. I will likely stock a couple cases of my favourites next week.

On another Unibroue note, I was at the Fourquet-Fourchette in Montreal a couple of weeks ago and I bought 3 of the 15th anniversary ales (only place in Canada) and also a magnum of La Fin du Monde 10th anniversary edition. These were magnums that were bottled in 2004 on the 10th anniversary of the golden ale and then left to age in their warehouse. I haven't had any of them. Not cheap though!

Maudite is runnng low in Kingston - got the only remaining sixer at each of the Princess St and Bath Rd stores. Does't prove anything but I've never seen THAT before with La Maudite.

Blanche De Chambly is still available, recent production.

Got some dusty sixers of Trois Pistoles from a few stores, dated Feb 2006. Fewer people must buy this one, though it is compared to Chimay Grande Reserve (aka Blue cap.) Half year aging was at no extra cost.

Dastardly Deed!

You wait until I am sick in bed all weekend, further weakened by masses of turkey and stuffing and then purloin the provisions!

Ya, I also just picked up a 6er of Trois Pistoles already aged just shy of a year (production date: Jan 2006)

I was very happy to find this as I've been wanting to cellar Trois Pistoles for awhile now. I never got very far!

My only hesitation was that I've read the corked, 750ml bottles age better. Not sure if this can be proven true, the 330ml are bottle-conditioned anyhow.
I have some Edition 2004 and 2005 in the cellar, as well as 750's of the Terrible and Fin Du Monde. We'll see how those turn out. I wish the 750's were still available in Ontario, it would be fun to see if there is any difference between how each size ages.

Al the beerblogger wrote:Dastardly Deed!

You wait until I am sick in bed all weekend, further weakened by masses of turkey and stuffing and then purloin the provisions!

Well only the Maudite but yeah. They were the last two sixes amigo. But the good news is the Trois Pistoles is drinking really fine and mellow so who cares.

Oh maybe you do. For Maudite there are two Kingston stores I haven't checked - 121 Cataraqui and 290 Concession. Don't say I never share..

I read in the great lakes brewing news oct/nov '06 issue that the Beer Store is de-listing Unibroue products. They went on to say that it will still be available at the lcbo....but who knows what or how much they will stock. Such a dissapointing development. Clear out the trois pistoles to make room for more steelback thunder.

"Disappointing" is one word for it, yeah.

I have always felt the Unibroue line sold at the Beer Stores was not only a wonderful standby, but also that it was under-appreciated, even by us geeks. But if Trois Pistoles is gathering dust, it was only a matter of time.

I am hopeful the more consumer-oriented LCBO shelves - with their attractive, clearly displayed six-packs - have been moving a lot more Unibroue than the Swill Store ever did.

Because I mean, does anybody LIKE going to the Beer Store, especially to 'shop' for a new choice of brand? These gross, uncomfortable stores are practically INTENDED to railroad people into buying BMC/MolBatt - rather than entice with good product choices.

So go, LCBO - promote Organic, Canadian-made choices like Unibroue if you are so bleeding environmental these days.

Belgian wrote:does anybody LIKE going to the Beer Store...?

For those times when I don't like to browse (most times) I prefer the environment of it over the LCBO.

I like buying by the case and that is way more efficient at the beer store.

Can you imagine saying: 24 Rochefort 10, 24 Chimay Blue, 24 Victory Storm King, and throw in a 24 of Dogfish Head 90 Min. IPA?

I could do all my beer shopping in 5 minutes.

(Yeah I know, never gonna happen)

Of course the only thing I've bought from the beer store in the last 8 months is Trois Pistoles so now I have zero reason to go........

the LCBO lists trois pistoles, but according to their website no outlets have it in stock. I can't remember if I've ever even seen it at an LCBO. So the ability to buy trois pistoles locally in Ontario could very well be a thing of the past.

Hey all.. short time reader, first time poster.

Because of this thread I headed into the Beer Store here in Bolton today and asked them to investigate the Unibroue thing. They confirmed to me that they have stopped carrying it and basically informed me that Sleeman has decided against supporting it in Ontario. They said I would stand a possible chance of tracking it down in the bigger stores (they mentioned Brampton, which I know I saw it in a week ago Sunday) but that it wouldn't be easily accessible any longer.

Nothing we really didn't now, but some confirmation from some employees who do seem to know a thing or two about non-Lucky Lager style brews.

Cheers (just not with Unibroue),
Rick.

This situation is making me sick to my stomach.