The Bar Towel

Question: Where in Canada can you buy Old Foghorn, EKU 28 (in a 500ml can!), Konig Ludwig Weisse and Rauchenfelser Steinbier?

Answer: Manitoba!

It's true. While researching a story for a Prairies-based magazine, I was browsing the Manitoba Liquor Commission site and found all of the above. Check it out yourselves at http://www.mlcc.mb.ca.

Now all we have to do is import the Manitoban talent to the talent poor LCBO. I think we need better LCBO beer scouts. Why hasn't the LCBO hired someone like Oaks or other homebred, well travelled beer local talents to choose what they shelve in terms of specialty beers.

Seems to me that all the LCBO cares about is that they can sell 10 cases of Old English 800/day/store to the breakfast club and only 2 or three bottles of Orval or such to the people who really understand beer. It doesn't do much to elevate their image.

Daniel

A colleague of mine kindly brought me back some Old Foghorn from a recent business trip to Winterpeg. I had consulted the same web page.

It's always fun to explain to the uninitiated - those who have been taught to think that "beer is beer" - why you are absolutely serious about the quest upon which you send them.

Hey Stephen, do you think the LCBO would hire you to consult on their beer selection? I'm sure it would be money well spent!! Barring that, I second the vote for Josh. This wealth of their experience would be of tremendous benefit to the Board and, ultimately, to us all.
How 'bout it boys?

Too right. Last time I checked the Manitoba website they carried Rodenbach Grand Cru as well.

And maybe Peter Lopaty can chip in regarding the guy in BC...it was interesting to hear his comparison between BC and Ontario in terms of the buyers and their techniques.

Rodenbach Grand Cru! Wow, that hurts. I just had my sister bring me home some bottles from England.

And I just checked the MLCC site - it's still there.

Why must they mock us like that? Right next door, but still so far away...

I dont think you can even get Rodenbach Grand Cru in the US, certainly not in any place reasonably accessable to us...

Rodenbach is represented by Esprit in Ontario, I believe - Peter any reason why they're not here?

Save driving all the way to MB, we may have a chance for RGC at Beers of the World in Rochester once (if?) the ferry opens. I've never been there, but I hear they have a good selection.

As you all probably may remmeber, VINTAGES did on a number of occasions purchase the Rodenbach Alexander but even they thought that Grand Cru was a bit far out there in terms of style to have any broad appeal. Needless to say, today the General List people would not consider it for a moment so that just leaves Consignment or Private Ordering. I just may make an offer of the Grand Cru to our customer base and see what sort of response I get in order to judge whether we should bring some in. FYI, we represent Rodenbach in all Canadian provinces with the exception of Quebec.

I remember the Alexander well...in fact I still have a few bottles at home (I hope it ages well!)

I for one would highly recommend a private order of Grand Cru!

For what its worth, the current-day incarnation of the Grand Cru is much less intense than the older versions.

It is also a spectacular beer.

I would certainly buy a case, if not 2.

I'd certainly try a case of Grand Cru. I was a big fan of the Alexander, but only managed to find a couple bottles before it disappeared.

I just may make an offer of the Grand Cru to our customer base and see what sort of response I get in order to judge whether we should bring some in. FYI, we represent Rodenbach in all Canadian provinces with the exception of Quebec.

I'd definitely grab a case if it was available here in NS - as would 3/4 or more of the local homebrew club. Private store, perhaps?

And speaking of Quebec I know of someone who found a bottle of the Grand Cru at a Depanneur (sp.?) in Montreal. It may have been a few years back.

Forget Rodenbach -- how can we get a hold of ... The Governator?

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/01/06/offbea ... index.html

As you all probably may remmeber, VINTAGES did on a number of occasions purchase the Rodenbach Alexander but even they thought that Grand Cru was a bit far out there in terms of style to have any broad appeal. Needless to say, today the General List people would not consider it for a moment so that just leaves Consignment or Private Ordering. I just may make an offer of the Grand Cru to our customer base and see what sort of response I get in order to judge whether we should bring some in. FYI, we represent Rodenbach in all Canadian provinces with the exception of Quebec.