General LCBO Debate & Discussion Thread

[anthony9]

Under 200, now.

I was looking at some cellared posts of what things were like in the past and stumbled upon this. Too bad we no longer have a foreign correspondent. From 2003 or so.



The Utopias ended up costing us less than we expected, so the retail is now $140US. I know - its still an obscene amount of money for a bottle of beer. I just thought I'd mention it in case anyone is interested...

Cheers
Lyle

[anthony9]

It's $330 USD ($444.44 CAD) at Premier Gourmet.

That seems like a price in order to keep it in stock so they can say they have it.

I recently visited PG and oh my are prices meant to keep things on wire racks.

Never mind the terrible exchange. It’s around 1.4x now, but even at a more normal 1.2x, it is ridiculous (mostly).

Goose Island fancy stuff was around 20+tax. 25 with tax at the LCBO. That’s about 50% more.

Lambics are outright cheaper in Canada, even if exchange was 1:1. American mixed fermentation stuff is hit or miss with some New York and Colorado stuff fairly decently priced. Allagash was okay, too.

The selection at the LCBO leaves a lot to be desired, but when they get good stuff, it’s often better priced than other places on the continent. PG selection is great.

Utopias was behind a level seven force field.

[Cass]

The selection at the LCBO leaves a lot to be desired, but when they get good stuff, it’s often better priced than other places on the continent. PG selection is great.

Across all the commentary of the LCBO over the years, the one thing that is universally agreed upon (and hopefully appreciated) is that when it comes to premium Belgians like Westmalle, Orval, Rochefort, etc., the pricing in Ontario is by far the best anywhere.

I've said this in another thread but I don't really bother with premium bottle shops in the U.S. anymore. Overpriced old product. I'd rather buy 12 packs of fresh reliable US brewers and then buy whatever imports we get here.

[Craig]

Funny, I was thinking just the other day how good we used to have it when Roch 10 was like 3 bucks a bottle.

[anthony9]

From the LCBO website (and my cynisim):

Need it by December 24, 2024? Place your order online by December 13 for home delivery.


A little on the nose, one day before the pre-HST pause.

Soon's the time to get the standard Goose Island BC, with almost 700 in stock.

[groulxsome]

Anyone enjoying being able to buy 30 packs of macro lager at LCBOs these days?

It's kinda crazy seeing stores have to delist 40 craft SKUs to make up more shelf space for larger format non-craft. It feels like going back in time!

[Cass]

It's kinda crazy seeing stores have to delist 40 craft SKUs to make up more shelf space for larger format non-craft. It feels like going back in time!

This was very noticeable, in a depressing way, at a Sobey's near me. They used to have a big shelf unit of singles, lots of craft options. It was completely removed and now it's just stacks of cases. Gotta wonder if grocery shoppers really buy cases of Bud or Corona when they shop.

[groulxsome]

It's kinda crazy seeing stores have to delist 40 craft SKUs to make up more shelf space for larger format non-craft. It feels like going back in time!

This was very noticeable, in a depressing way, at a Sobey's near me. They used to have a big shelf unit of singles, lots of craft options. It was completely removed and now it's just stacks of cases. Gotta wonder if grocery shoppers really buy cases of Bud or Corona when they shop.

Loblaws has gotten even worse around where I am, even in the last few months. Most of the craft branded section is RTDs. When I moved back up in August, the Loblaws near me was better than the LCBO for selection. It's not even worth looking at anymore.