Victory Storm King

[Steve Spong]

Now this is really apropos of nothing, but I just realised that at the back of my mind there was a rumour that I heard some time back that the Storm King was going to be returning to the LCBO in a special release sometime in 2006. I know, it's hardly a concrete basis to assume this, but can anybody verify it? I still have five bottles that I got at Premier, so I can dole it out over a long period of time, but the convenience of the LCBO is undeniable. Also, a release with the Storm King would (hopefully) contain some other good stouts and porters.

[Philip1]

The lack of Victory beers available is my biggest gripe with the LCBO.

[Bobbyok]

...but the convenience of the LCBO is undeniable...

You realize they'll probably use this quote in their advertising from now on, right?

[Wheatsheaf]

It doesn't seem likely that we'll be seeing it again anytime soon, but on a positive note, anyone who stocked up when Storm King was on LCBO shelves two years ago has got some lovely beer in the cellar right now; it has aged beautifully, and should continue to do so for at least another year or two.

[Steve Spong]

That's a disappointment, but then again it's not TOO much at Premier - about US $12 a six-pack. I agree that the lack of Victory products at the LCBO is unfortunate. They have an absolutely fantastic line-up, with nary a dud among the ones I have tried. It's not as if it's unattainable, either. The Storm King, Whirlwind Witbier, and the Hop Devil have appeared on LCBO shelves in the past. Indeed, the Prima Pils would be a good "bridge" beer for those who are trepidatious about trying new beers, but might like to branch out a bit. It's a fantastic example of the style, but not too "wild and crazy".

I think that the American micro market is something that should be explored more by the LCBO, as it is comparatively enormous and the proximity is advantageous. If the LCBO made it its business, we could have a good American micro selection with good prices. Unfortunately, we are dealing in part with the knee-jerk "American beer is garbage" mentality that paints all of the beers with the same brush. I hope that the forthcoming availability of the Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA will be a step in that direction - but I doubt it. It's preaching to the choir. Oh well, we just have to convert anybody we can, one by one.

[inertiaboy]

I think that the American micro market is something that should be explored more by the LCBO, as it is comparatively enormous and the proximity is advantageous.

Agreed. I also wish the LCBO would explore another market that has an even larger proximity advantage - Canada! I'd love to see province-wide distribution of Black Oak and Mill Street seasonals, amongst others. A small series of lcBEERo(*) stores would help immensely here...

* thanks to HogTownHarry for this great name!

[JerCraigs]

That's not entirely up to the LCBO though. I'm sure that BOak and Mill St. would love province wide distribution, but they need to have sufficient sales in an area to make it worthwhile, which requires a certain amount of man power and effort on their part.

Many of the smaller brewers also "direct deliver" to individual stores, rather than using the shipping services of TBS/LCBO. Which means stores outside of their primary distribution areas require additional costs and effort as well.

[Steve Spong]

I also wish the LCBO would explore another market that has an even larger proximity advantage - Canada!

Of course, the Canadian market is something that is woefully underrepresented. In addition to the Ontario beers, there are a variety of beers and breweries throughout the country that should be exploited. Though we get SOME of the Unibroues, what about Bieropholie? Tree and Phillips from BC? Alley Kat from Alberta? Maybe try to get some Propellors in for more than the blink of an eye?

[esprit]

Victory served noticed to us late last year that they were withdrawing from the Canadian market and would no longer submit any beers to the LCBO for consideration. Domestic demand and the lack of any consistent business in Canada led to this decision. The fact is that with the exception of Rogue, beers from U.S. micros have done rather poorly in the LCBO's seasonal program, especially the Victory and Dogfish brands. You can all rave about these beers and wish there were many more available but, unfortunately, there are not enough of you to generate anything meaningful in the way of sales. Even a small 300 case order of Dogfish head struggles to sell through quickly so get used to trecking on down to Buffalo for the foreseeable future.

[Belgian]

There are still piles of DFH Chicory Stout lying around in some areas... a decent product, so I wonder if the slow sales are a real bad sign. Let's see how the IPA does, something more 'regular.'

I have yet to try a Victory product, was never even aware they existed as LCBO offerings.

Yes, the paucity of awareness and appreciation is a big fricken' brick wall for these brewers I can see.

[GregClow]

I have yet to try a Victory product, was never even aware they existed as LCBO offerings.

It's been a while since they were on LCBO shelves. I think the last one was Victory Storm King in the last stouts & porters promo in early 2004. Before that, we had their Whirlwind Wit and Hop Devil (both in 2002, I think).

[esprit]

The LCBO has purchased the Victory Storm King, Whirlwind Witbier and Hop Devil in the past.

[Belgian]

Well then I'll just have to grab some VSK, etc. at Premier to appreciate what the average Joe like me overlooked at the time.

[HogTownHarry]

That could prove difficult - I was there two weeks ago and they didn't have any Victory product. I think Premier is having a rotating series of nightmares with their distributors, which is a crying shame as there are a few of their offerings I want to get - their V12 and ESB are high on my list, and I'd love to put away six or more Old Horizontal barleywines ...

The two bottles of 2-year-old Storm King I DO have need friends, too ...