Allagash Sour Releases

The bottle list online is woefully outdated. Sours have really taken off here in Portland. Three years ago they constantly had Lou Pepes. Haven't seen any Cantillon here in a while. They should have some nice 3F sours though, when I was there right before they closed they had bombers of kriek. There is a small cooler right behind the bar where they keep the sours, if you lean over you can get a peek at what's in there. Usually some nice stuff not on the menu.

 

When I'm considering a 750ml sour with dinner I think about wine pricing as well. Again, maybe that's my justification for doing things like spending $100 on a bottle of Framboos...

 

Relevant: http://www.beeradvocate.com/communi...t-september-17-2016-in-portland-maine.380474/

 

Why would you want to start hype and hope for lines and beers selling out within hours??? That's one thing I love about Allagash. They make some of the best american wild ales and you don't have to fight tooth and nail to get them locally. Also, when you compare Allagash's pricing to other's in the area like Oxbow and Hill Farmstead, their wilds are similar in price, if not cheaper. I'm pretty sure I paid $20 for a bottle of Cherry Flora, and although excellent, wished I was drinking Cerise for $5 cheaper. I'm completely ok with the lack of hype.

 

Yes, back to Allagash...when the releases were few & far between, people lined up to get Resurgam, Red, Victor Frankenstein, Ghoulschip, etc. Being only available at the brewery made the trade value sky-high, and they were all excellent beers. The newer releases start at the brewery, then move to local retail, and then outward to far-flung distro. Most local retailers sell it for less than the brewery, so if you're patient, you can save money. Trade value has fallen due to their offerings becoming more widely available. I've enjoyed nearly everything they've released, fully support their current distro model, and enjoy their releases at the brewery as a stellar model of how such events should be run. Could care less about trade value. With a new beer coming out every month or so, it's satisfying to buy & enjoy one or two, and then anticipate the next one. I call it a blessing that the hype train has left the station for them. It certainly hasn't affected the quality of the beer, or the reputation of the brewery.

 

Allagash is very good. I have not had their sours yet. I enjoy white, black, and cruxiuex.

 

Coolship red release Saturday apparently. https://twitter.com/AllagashBrewing/status/715347560051916800

Any idea how much of a shit show this will be? Doors open at 9:30, I really don't want to drive up that early if it's not necessary.

 

I doubt that it will be a shit show. Allagash's releases are easily the best run that I've attended. I don't think it is necessary to arrive for open unless you have other plans for the day. I've arrived for open and later, etc., and have never waited very long at all. There is always that initial wait/rush on the front end, but so relaxed afterwards. Also, I'm always pleasantly surprised how long their releases tend to last too.

 

I just happened to be in Maine for the last Coolship Red release and we got there mid-day and had no problems at all. I think it took till the next day for them to sell out.

 

Never a shitshow, best run releases going in my opinion. Show up whenever that day.

 

Thankful for that mentality

 

Hmm, didn't even think about a Bissel release. Might have to check it out for at least Substance which appears to be released that day as well. Any other interesting releases going on in the Portland area this weekend?

 

Same.

 

Hi All,

Quick question of opinion for y'all. I am leaving from central CT tomorrow around 6 A.M. and plan on going to Hill Farmstead (for this weeks releases) and Allagash (for coolship red) the same day. To maximize the opportunity to get the full allotment and avoid missing either of the releases...would you go to HF first, then Allagash...or the other way around? With the swish release being on Saturday I am concerned that coolship red might sell out before 3PM (the earliest I think I can make it to Allagash if I go to HF first).

I have never been up to Allagash so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

If you've not done it before, be forewarned that the trip from HF to Allagash (or vice versa) is over the White Mtns, not on interstate highways, and will take 3-4 hrs.
Given recent history, none of the beers may sell out Saturday. See the HF thread for discussions on how long recent releases have lasted; Allagash posted on their FB page "We have around 3,000 bottles. It will most likely last for the day."
To consider- Allagash opens earlier (9:30 vs 11) and closes later (6 vs 5), both bottle lines will run smoothly and efficiently but not so for HF growlers if you're contemplating that, and if you end the day in Portland Novare Res has some special Allagash offerings on.

 

Swish and Piff, so the shit show will probably be across the street. (And the Allagash tasting room will be stuffed after noon with guys that don't like the beer, aren't buying the coolship, but can't pass up a free drink).

In Portland:
Allagash Coolship Red Release, 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Bissell Bros Swish, Substance 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Foundation Epiphany, Afterglow 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Oxbow Saison de Kuaska 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Special offerings at Portland Bars:
Austin Street and Bissell Brothers Real Ones Collab Tapping at Thirsty Pig 5:00 pm
Allagash Gasharoo at Novare Res, 12:00 pm - Close: 26 Allagash beers on draft.

On the way from RI (if that where you're coming from):
Tributary (Kittery, ME) Mott the Lesser Bottle Release, 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Navigation (Lowell, MA) Belgian Session, Belgian Blond, Belgian Strong, and Belgian Dubbel 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

 

Thank you for the kind words of advice. The reassurance is key. I did not notice that Allagash posted the total bottle amount. With that said, I do understand that I will be going over the White Mountains...it is just now a debate of doing 93>302 or 93>112. Either way, I will be renting a small SUV for this excursion.