2016 BCBS Chicago Release (Black Friday & Beyond)

I honestly consider those the same thing; I was just using terminology from the post I was responding to.

 

These really are apples and oranges. Backwoods isn't a stout, so, really comparing it to the BCBBW would be closer but still totally different styles. With that being said, while I love my share of epic BA whales, Backwoods is truly underrated. I'm not kidding when I turn down KBS to drink Backwoods instead. Dirty is a wonderful scotch ale, but aged in those barrels add an extra layer of complexity to create a fantastic fall sipper. What makes it so much better, it is easy to find, and affordable. These big factors are the reason why I spend most of my time drinking Backwoods. I can't recommend it enough. I don't want to see it go the way of KBS but I think it should be involved in examples in why a classic style of beer, without adjuncts or crazy styles, make for a good BA beers. I.E. a good scotch/brown ales/ stouts/porters can have a lot of flavor without coco nibs or coffee and can be aged in bourbon barrels to make a fantastic beer.

Hopefully this isn't too off topic.

 

Alright I'll prepare to get hammered for this comment, but IMO, Deth's Tar is one of the most overrated beers out there and not worth the money at all. For a beer in the same rough ballpark price as BCBS and Parabola it has nowhere near the complexity that they do, not even close. VERY one dimensional, all barrel. Not bad, per se, but I'd feel a lot better about DT if it was $10.99 or less.

Backwood's Bastard is a completely different beer. Probably better comparing that to Gravedigger Billy.

 

Over half the barrel aged Revolution bottles I have bought in the past have been infected. I don't waste my time with their BA beers any more.

 

I'm glad what LP did even those I lose on that Policy.Screw the commie's that think it's not fair.. If you think being a reg is mainly based on how much you spend and not how you treat people you need to re-evaluate how you are doing "beer". It's sad how people focus on winning when in the end it's more about the people you drink the beer with and the people you meet along the way than the beer itself. Being generous and genuine will get more "Whales" down your gullet then a room temperature closet full of limited beer.

 

Which Facebook group?

 

Along those lines, a "regular" at a Binny's is likely a bit different than a "regular" at a mom & pop store. The former is someone who schmoozes with the beer guy and/or provides the beer guy with limited/out of market beers. Yeah I understand people will say it's just being friendly but let's be honest, it's essentially quid pro quo here. Most of these people would move on to another store if they weren't able to get limited releases as a result of their friendliness.

The mom & pop "regular" is more likely to be someone who spends a good amount of money at the smaller store and therefore the "keeping the lights on" aspect carries more weight here. As someone who favors transparency, I've always supported a loyalty points program, similar to what Archer Liquors does, as the most equitable method of handling limited releases. Yeah, I realize this approach is the truck chaser's worst nightmare, however.

 

Midway through page 38 someone states that as well.

 

Very well said, wasn't even aware a chain like binnys allowed held bottles till I witnessed it first hand a few days ago. Frequent my local binnys walking in and out most the time for what I need and occasiaonly ask for things if they are not on the floor. If they have yet to come, I'll check back. At a small store that might qualify as a regular but at binnys I'd agree with your description/theory.

 

I went to to BG Binnys. They had a board that said what you need to ask for behind the desk. I liked the transparency

 

That seems like a lot of work versus just putting it out. What's the point?

 

I really wish all of the Binny's would just put stuff on the floor, or at least do the white board thing mentioned above. My local one likes to keep stuff in the back and it's really hard to predict what they hide and what they just don't have. I can't imagine that they like having me bug them about 10 different beers on a semi-regular basis either, especially when I get "the wine guy". Yeah, it gives an edge to the truck-chasers, but I'm not a fan of loitering for 10 minutes until I see someone that knows what I need and then playing the guessing game.

 

Probably as a guard against what would certainly happen with most of the beers -- someone buys all or nearly all of them.

I like this and wish other Binny's did it. I don't follow new beer releases much anymore, and while I probably wouldn't pick up most of them anyways, it would be nice to know what is available. At the one near me, no clue, and often only hear or see when someone else who does asks for it.

 

It's just a dry erase board and there's never more than a few things on it. I think it just cuts down on the hassle for the employees that aren't super well versed in beer. I actually like the system a lot and it's easier than trying to look behind the counter where they keep stuff.

 

Agreed. Unfortunately, not all the cashiers are knowledgeable on what beers are limited in the store. Having a dry erase board is much better than trying to guess what the secret handshake is, too.

 

That poor guy or girl probably dreads picking that phone up

 

Oh I agree, I wish they would put it out, but its better than having to ask

now they may actually not put all the beers on the board, because when I bought BCBS it was not listed on the board, but was visibly stacked behind the desk, so who knows

 

Actually, it's worse because I do it in person. He can actually SEE the disdain on my face when I have to explain what I'm looking for.

Yet another reason to put everything out so you don't have to deal with jerks like me.

 

It was on the board when I went in about 3pm yesterday. Maybe you were what tipped them off to the need!