Bourbon County in Michigan

I saw some monster allocation pictures on Facebook, but did not visit any myself. Did any of those past shops you visited give any rhyme or reason why they weren't fruit bearing this year?

 

No.

 

Sounds like most Meijer got reg, maybe 3 or 4 cases (?) with a select few getting 10 with variants too. Meijer has been trying to up their beer game the past 3 years, before that it simply wasn’t a priority. Each year, several stores get their alcohol department remodeled to account for a bigger beer selection, they will do more next year. I’m sure Meijer put pressure to have all (or most) stores receive it this year, leaving less for smaller accounts.

 

Oh, ok.

 

Meijer in Kalamazoo area had no clue what was BCS. None got it. Some of the vendors that were stocking shelves recommended Megabev

 

Ok, I think all GR stores got it (don’t usually) and heard about others on east side that did too so assumed it was all/most. It was a timed noon release throughout the chain (at least stores that got it).

Edit: people posting on FB that they got some at Westnedge.

 

Interesting, called and stopped in. Talked with grocery managers and they told me it wasn't in the "system". Some of the other beer vendors recommended hitting up Mega Bev and some mom and pop locations. The vendors said they have never seen it either Westnedge or Shaver rd.

 

All of the Facebook allocation pics that I saw were from Chicago even though they were posted in MI beer groups. Most were posted without comment & when pressed for info the OPs said they were somewhere in Chicagoland

 

I didn't look for this at all this year. Some of the stuff that I read here, hear from people, and see on Facebook make me think that I will skip next year as well. Seems like here in Michigan many small bottle shops (the type that I prefer to do business) received very limited amounts while the chain stores (Kroger and Meijer) received a lot. Its hard to know which of these stores get the large amounts and when they put them out. It also seems that some of these stores do very little to limit purchases and allow people to hoard. The only good thing is that the prices at these places were pretty good, $10-$11. I saw that some of the smaller place were charging up to $22 per bottle. That just seems ridiculous. The places that I frequent charge MSRP and sell out quickly.

 

This beer has always been scarce in Michigan. With how plentiful KBS and Black Note were this past year and Dark Horse making more and more BB Plead each year I see no need to chase around 1per limit of Budweiser Stout. I'd much rather give my money to Michigan breweries.

 

My buddy and I had this conversation at the end of our day on Friday. BCBS has been nothing but hassles the past three years with issues ranging from infections, lack of variants, inflated prices and distribution policies that none of us can seem to figure out. Meanwhile, almost all the big Michigan brewers have killer taplists over Black Friday weekend and/or have their own special releases now or in the near future that are every bit as good as BCBS if not better.

We're done with the aggravation. I may swing by a store next year if I know it's a slam dunk to procure a bottle or two but my days of chasing BCBS are done.

 

Old Burdicks downtown Kalamazoo has BCS regular on tap for $10, 8 oz glass only. Straight fucking ripoff. I bought an entire 16.9 oz bottle for that price.

 

Thanks for the heads up, I'll head down there. Good price for an 8oz pour

 

Unfortunately this is pretty much standard price at any bars around Kazoo for special release. KBS, No Rules, etc is routinely priced at $10 per pour. At least it's on tap and we can always NOT give them our business if you feel it's too steep! CBS will be the same if not more...

 

Fair enough, CBS will be at HopCat on Dec 1st and I’m guessing it will cost around the same

 

I’m with you. Saving that $$$ for CBS anyways and my local shop rewards this familiar face. Which btw I am thankful for this Thanksgiving

 

You gotta figure a place like that is paying bartenders, dishwashers, waitresses, managers, etc too. I don’t think that sounds greedy. Plus for me it’s like, awesome a nice pour and one of my bottles lives to see another day. Definitely respect ur opinion I’m just trying to give u a different perspective.

 

I always tip a minimum of 20% and then round up to the whole dollar, so it ended up being $12 for 8oz pour. It is was it is I guess. Love the beer though, that’s why I was willing to pay it up

 

Where did you get a bottle of BCS for "only" $10? I'd love to give some business! Cheapest I paid was 13.99 before tax and deposit around Kazoo....

 

Costco after tax and deposit was $9.52 I think.