2016 BCBS Chicago Release (Black Friday & Beyond)

Becoming a "friend of the beer guy", which is more accurate than the term "regular", is not about how frequently one swings by the store. It's simply about being friendly with the beer guy. Couple the friendliness with giving the beer guy some beers on occasion, maybe something nice like Tree House or Trillium, and you are on your way to being a friend of the program. Heck, this approach will work at a couple of stores simultaneously. Just make sure Joey Greco doesn't catch wind of it.

"You see this, he's handing him a bottle of King Sue."
"Noooo!"
"And now, now he's handing him back a bottle of something. I can't make it out though..."
<sobs> "It's Vanilla Rye."
"Yeah, Vanilla Rye."
"He gave me a Zeelander yesterday when I gave him a Vanilla Rye. He knows I'm a huge fan of citra hops." <sniffles>
"Sorry you had to see this."

 

So your way of making friends with the store employee is bribery

 

Some folks refer to it as being friendly.

 

Binnys grand always feels like there's a members club I'm not apart of. I'm in there a few times a week during the day and see the same faces chatting with the same two beer guys. I'm lucky to be able to have the flexibility to go there during weekdays to get some special releases but I'm not about to have bullshit small talk and fake laughs just to grab a few extra special beers in the back. For the people who are able to, kudos!

 

So to break down these last few pages. It's great if you are in the candy store enjoying everything....but no one wants to be Charlie Bucket looking in. In other news I'm glad this year has been one where regular is still on the shelves.

 

Vanilla Rye! It's a Christmas miracle! And I didn't even have to perform sexual favors! The best beer to describe my mood right now is Morning Wood.

 

Where?

 

I walked into Lakeview Binnys and did not see my regular guy. But I did ask and got a vague response that they received a very little amount of VR and Prop. Guess I'm not regular enough lol

 

So glad that I didn't read all of this before stopping into Binny's on Wed. All of this stuff has gotten to out of hand that I took one look at the haggard beer guy and decided to buy 4 bottles of wine instead! Still, as I was catching up on this thread, I kept thinking "hmmm...maybe there's a chance that something is left at my local store, it couldn't hurt to check could it?" Fortunately, I was too lazy to head out, thusly avoiding disappointment. I think my resolution next year will be to quit worrying about limited releases! #nomoreFOMO #donechasingbeer

 

Yeah, it's just too much. To be a "regular" at a Binny's means I need to become a borderline alcoholic it seems. All joking aside, I liken the craft beer life to a Bell Curve: early on, I would drive around town and parts all over to get a bottle here, another there, in hopes of having all this incredible beer. At a certain point, I peak and beign to realize that I'll never be able to get half of the stuff I'm chasing, and figure out that it's really kinda a pain in the ass and I slide down the other side of the curve and just get the relatively easy finds like regular BCS once a year:/ Plus, most of this stuff is on tap every other weekend the last month!

 

Wait.... so I know I'm definitely not regular enough to score vr.... but did all Binnys receive Rare too?

 

I dunno, just try and make friends. I'm a regular because I like talking about Beer not because I expect beer. You'll always be disappointed it that's the case. I guess it's not hard but I knew someone there and I was nice to them now I know everyone there because I drop in almost every day after work and talk to them. Know them by first name and talk about shit they care about.

Gave them a gift before I left for vacation (a nice photo print I made and some beer) mentioned I missed out on noir release and the beer buyer just handed me a bottle. That was cool, but didn't expect to get something I wanted, but was a nice surprise.

Point is just look for friends. That's it.

 

My experience with Binny's employees (in tbe burbs) has always been great.

I get to know a few of them by asking, "Anything interesting come in this week?"

And they'll recommend stuff. If it sounds good, I'll try it.

Then the next time i go in, I give them my feedback and thank them for the suggestions.

After a while, they'll know what type(s) of styles you like.

When i go there (about twice a month), the guy will go to the back room and come out with 4-5 beers he thinks i'll appreciate. Or he'll show me stuff on the shelves.

It's not a secret club by any means. Just be friendly...many of the employees really love beer and enjoy helping people.

Cheers!

 

My understanding is that Rare will be available at most or all Binny's on Monday.

 

There were also Binny's where you didn't need to be a "regular" to get VR or Prop '14. My buddy was at a Binny's today trying to score a Black Note and while he was there, one of the employees let someone know they had Prop '14. He overheard the conversation and asked for one and got it. He immediately texted me and I happened to be heading in that direction as he texted. My fiance and I dropped in about 30 minutes later and walked out with 2 Props (it's her all-time favorite beer, she was not a mule). As I was checking out, an older gentleman behind me in line saw what I was buying (they didn't wrap them like they did at other Binny's) and was like, "Holy crap, they have THAT?" I told him to go back and ask for it.

Sometimes you just need to get lucky and be in the right place at the right time.

 

Just out of curiosity, which Binny's if you wouldn't mind sharing? Stopped at a few trying to score a bottle of VR or Prop for my father in law for xmas, and I'm just curious if it was at one that I stopped at.

 

There's a learning curve for most things with me.

 

Was really hoping for a Prop 13 but more than pleased to have scored a VR.

 

Every Binnys Got Something.