The Bar Towel

cratez wrote:

SteelbackGuy wrote: Like I always say, the naysayers will continue to say nay. You could build a Stone brewpub in their basements and they'd still complain....."Oh woe is me, government this, government that"......a bunch of cry babies. Not seeing the forest for the trees. Things are improving, and when we vote with our dollars, things will continue to do so.

Lenny, you may as well address me, Ukie, or JerCraigs directly, since we're the only ones who have criticized this decent release. Your blanket generalization of myself and others - who are intensely dissatisfied with the inept service and brutal selection at the Control Board - as perpetual naysayers is offensive and, with all due respect, delusional.

I would probably stop buying retail beer period if I had a "Stone brewpub in (my) basement," but this hyperbolic statement misses the point: people are fed up with having virtually no selection or style variation at their local liquor store, and a handful of solid seasonal beers that are available for a few weeks at a time is not enough to stop the complaining or dissatisfaction. It is shocking that you don't seem to understand this, and you're probably the only member of this site and beer geek that I know who thinks the Board's beer lineup (seasonal or otherwise) is sufficient.

The 'government' argument doesn't wash with me since I'm currently trying to work for it. The reason why people mention 'government' when they're referring to the Crown corporation that employs you is because even lefties like myself don't believe the government should be involved in selling liquor (a private rather than public good) to its citizens. But you've heard me say before that I'd be fine with the province allowing for private boutique stores, instead of privatizing the 'BO and throwing thousands of people out of work.

I can see the forest for the trees and my response to Bobsy's post reflects that. But I have mixed feelings about "voting with our dollars" when it comes to the 'BO. I buy the seasonals brought in by R&R and HMH and regular listings from Grand River, Flying Monkeys, Black Oak, etc. for the purpose of supporting 'the good stuff' and in the hope that our retail craft beer selection somehow drastically improves in the long run. However, nowadays for my regular everyday drinking I rely much more on US beer hauls and beer bars that do direct-from-brewery purchases and private orders, than I do on trips to the Board.

I think markaberrant is right that our dollars are better spent directly supporting brewers, beer bars, and private independent retailers, as opposed to upholding a backward monopoly that cynically offers table scraps of craft beer to bolster its own political legitimacy and existence. The hoppy and noteworthy beers in this release suggest that things are improving because of better submissions from importers and interest in our market among out-of-province and foreign brewers, NOT because the LCBO (which passively approves submissions) is taking a greater benign interest in micro beer or sympathizing with the demands of craft beer drinkers. Let's not lose sight of that.

cratez wrote: nowadays for my regular everyday drinking I rely much more on US beer hauls and beer bars that do direct-from-brewery purchases and private orders, than I do on trips to the Board.

The hoppy and noteworthy beers in this release suggest that things are improving because of better submissions from importers and interest in our market among out-of-province and foreign brewers, NOT because the LCBO (which passively approves submissions) is taking a greater benign interest in micro beer or sympathizing with the demands of craft beer drinkers. Let's not lose sight of that.

SteelbackGuy wrote: Well said Mikey boy. I agree with almost everything there. Though I'm not pointing my finger at anyone directly, so please don't think that. Rather, I'm commenting on what I've witnessed on this board over the long term.....day in day out, for 5 or more years. That's all.
I guess stuff really doesn't bother me, that's all. I can't explain it. I'm happy, for the most part, with the selection here, and I don't get worked up about it. I'm in the minority I know, but I'm OK with that, as I am entitled to my opinion and thoughts, as everyone else is here. That is the beauty of the discussion board here. What would it be if we all just agreed with each other.

And while we all may agree to disagree, we can still come together and enjoy the wonderful thing that is delicious beer.

Mike, I look forward to discussing this further over some pints this week. Should be back in town Monday morning. And keep next weekend open too foo' Should be fun.

Leon

Zuma wrote:Very excited to see the Panil. Great beer.

LCBO seems willing to take a bit of a gamble on this one given the price. I guess if the customer base did not run screaming at the price of the Ola Dubh 40 they thought it might be worth trying again.

Even at that price I will have to pick up another 4-5.

Kel Varnsen wrote:

Belgian wrote:

Kel Varnsen wrote: Is it really a volume thing. Has anyone ever been to Trafalgar? Is it some huge brewery that is able to pump out millions of gallons of beer a month to meet the LCBO demand? From a local point of view, Beau's seems like it is about the same size as Heritage, if not bigger, yet Heritage is able to get seasonals like Black Current Rye into LCBO's all over the province where as Bog Water is only available at the retail store. I would have to assume that this would be a brewery choice.

Could say the same of Grand River; they have been in no hurry at all to get their excellent product shipped far and wide. And when it appears it often disappears within an unreasonably short time for anyone to really access it. Their main priority seems to be quality! If they are happy, why force a lot of change on their working lives?

I'm sure Beau's is at least considering the financials and making sure they are seeing returns. There may be no reason for them to break even promoting Bog Water in some tiny Seasonal release when they really want to (more profitably) sell more Lug tread.

Still it would be a relief if the better brewers we've got did the seasonals.

And if a brewery wants to play it that way it is totally fine by me. I mean it is there equipment and there money, and they have all the inside information so who am I to say they should be running their company differently if they are achieving success. I just think it is funny that a lot of times when I read about the seasonal releases a pretty common attitude is that ``the man`` ie the LCBO is trying to keep they small brewer down. When in reality it is more likely the small brewers making the choice to not take part in these releases.

Queef wrote: don't know if it will be in all the stores thgat sell Lugtread or not, but according to the A channel spot Beaus did in Ottawa friday morning, starting with spring seasonal "BEAVER RIVER" (YES!), all four rotating seasonals from Beaus are LCBO bound!!!!!!!

Queef wrote: don't know if it will be in all the stores thgat sell Lugtread or not, but according to the A channel spot Beaus did in Ottawa friday morning, starting with spring seasonal "BEAVER RIVER" (YES!), all four rotating seasonals from Beaus are LCBO bound!!!!!!!

probstk wrote:

Queef wrote: don't know if it will be in all the stores thgat sell Lugtread or not, but according to the A channel spot Beaus did in Ottawa friday morning, starting with spring seasonal "BEAVER RIVER" (YES!), all four rotating seasonals from Beaus are LCBO bound!!!!!!!

That's frickin' SWEET. Nice to see them get a bit more presence in the LCBO. Maybe they'll muscle some shelf space away from Trafalgar...

Ukie wrote:Some of the Numbers are starting to show up in the system, like the Hopsinjoor, although there is no inventory yet.

Should probably see some this week.

Lukie wrote:

Ukie wrote:Some of the Numbers are starting to show up in the system, like the Hopsinjoor, although there is no inventory yet.

Should probably see some this week.

Don't hold your breath. If anything, the LCBO typically runs behind their own schedules.

Ukie wrote:

probstk wrote:

Queef wrote: don't know if it will be in all the stores thgat sell Lugtread or not, but according to the A channel spot Beaus did in Ottawa friday morning, starting with spring seasonal "BEAVER RIVER" (YES!), all four rotating seasonals from Beaus are LCBO bound!!!!!!!

That's frickin' SWEET. Nice to see them get a bit more presence in the LCBO. Maybe they'll muscle some shelf space away from Trafalgar...

Load up on those for sure!

I would think they would have some for sampling at the Pepperwood Beerfest Feb 27th?


Here is that A Channel spot:

Ukie wrote:
Off to Burlington for some Hophead Double IPA!

or:

Save the gas and pick up some Skjalfti, Doppel, Christoffel at Dundurn.

Decisions, decisions.

Chris Stirling wrote: no decisions - go to Burlington