New 'loons in the Bay Area

In the recent splurge of Cantillon I managed to grab some Rose de Gambrinus 375's, which were like $12 each. That's more than I paid for a 750 of it at the brewery. Now, why are they so much more expensive here? Is it because Shelton and retailers know they have gold and mark it up ridiculously? Or is it because it was shipped halfway around the world?

I think that some retailers probably mark up Cantillon more than normal, but my guess is that relatively few do and most of the price increase you see (on average) is just the shipping cost. Rochefort 10 and Orval are way cheaper in Belgium too, and no one's fighting each other to get a bottle of either.

I think the choice of Temptation is kind of funny since, as far as I can tell, it hasn't been available for months. (I know that when it's out it's easy to get, around here, but it hasn't been out!)

 

True, but I'd say readily available for only a few months at a time is a far cry from beer that hits 2-3 stores within 50 miles and sells out day of, wouldn't you? The irony isn't lost on me though - ISO more Temptation.

 

Yeah, definitely different, it was just funny to me since I haven't seen Temptation in a bottle or on tap in months and months. It's my favorite non-Beat RR sour!

 

Should I bring a bottle on Sunday?

 

Saw some on the shelves at Whole Foods last week, I think more bottles hit distro recently (or at least I hope so!) Reminds me of that pour of Temp. we got from Vinnie at SFBW, that was crazy good.

 

Those beers are overpriced too. Zing!

Vanlingleipa's post showed it well. 6 Fou' Foune bottles for 40 Euro. That's just about $50. Local shops will sell each bottle for $50 USD, which is a 500% markup on price for those bottles (not including sales tax.)

I guess I'm a cheap bastard with a general dissatisfaction for expensive beer that shouldn't be expensive. Spending time in Europe has shown me that top-quality beer doesn't have to (and shouldn't) be expensive. I've come to this realization after spending thousands of dollars on beer and purchasing under the false assumption that expensive beers are worth it.

We can import other delicious, rare beers from Belgium for a much smaller markup, so why not Cantillon?

And yes, I know it's because people will pay for it. Bastards.

 

What's the markup on a bottle of Orval compared here compared to in Belgium? 4x? I don't really think Cantillon is much worse. The fact that 3F or Hansenns bottles have way less demand but basically the same price demonstrates that too.

Also, about the Fou Foune. First, the 6-bottle price is discounted from one bottle, you should compared it to that price (which I believe was 8 Euro, so more like $10 each, for a 400% markup instead). Second, where was Fou Foune on the shelf for $50? I've bought one bottle off a shelf (admittedly in Mass, not here) and it was <$30, same as any of their limited beers. That markup (<200%) seems entirely consistent with other beers imported from Belgium, if anything it might be less than things like Rochefort or Orval.

If some stores are marking up their loons ridiculously then that's an issue with those individual stores, not stores in general or the importer.

 

Orval is ~3 Euro in Belgium as of last month. $3.75 US at the current conversion. I can buy it for $4.50 locally. Not exactly a crazy markup.

And Fou Foune was on the shelf for $50 at a shop in SD as well as Ales Unlimited here in SF. I would buy it at $30, but $50 is a stretch.

Perhaps I just had bad luck with some bad stores. The fact that you were able to get it for cheaper is good news, but that means I have to look elsewhere for it.

 

Ledger's had a few bottles a couple weeks back - no, they ain't there anymore, but still, a relatively recent sighting. And Perry's out in Livermore had bottles last time I was there - granted, they had the customary Perry's markup, but if you really, really can't wait for the new batch...

 

Yep, Steve was asking $50 last time they had it. He apparently still sold out within a week Clem's in SD also had it for $49.99, as well as a couple from Drie Fonteinen at the same price. No thanks!

 

Orval is 3 euro? I'm pretty sure I saw it cheaper than that at bars, and figured it would be even cheaper in a store. I very much doubt anyone is importing it for $0.75 a bottle, shipping is going to be more than that.

 

Etre has it at €1.79

 

um, dang.
sold the last batch of fou fou for either 24.99 or $25.99 at Beer Rev.

 

I still a little sad (although not really) that you stopped putting it out at the anniversary party, although us beer geeks grabbing it as fast as you could put it out was probably more than a little annoying...

 

the third time i had every bottle grabbed out of my paws before i made it 5 steps i decided i'd had enough

 

I saw that, everyone made a mad dash to block your path as soon as they saw you holding a box labeled with Cantillon. Then again, it was quite a packed house as is.

 

That day made me quite sad as a beer geek, it looked like Black Friday up in there. Especially with Fou Foune and Kriek on tap that day... that was awesome.