Other Half in Illinois 2019

Respectfully disagree. I used to trade for Half Acre IPAs all the time when I lived in Florida. Always thought they were some of the most underrated IPAs in the country. Now I drink LOTS of Half Acre IPAs and still smile a bit when I stroll in to my local Binny's and get them super fresh.

 

There were still 20+ cases of at least 5 different OH beers at LP Binny's as of yesterday afternoon.

 

I’m sure they price a lot of people out, but man this is amazing. In the best way.

 

I just wish we would get to the point where every state can ship and receive beer by mail from liquor stores. You'd pay more, but could access those beers not in your distro range you want more easily.

 

That, and we'd never have to leave our parents' basements

 

Went to STC Binnys yesterday and they still had all available though the ddh mylar bags was low. Excited to try some tonight!

 

Did they break out more? Those Mylar bags are fantastic! Was in there and they were out of only those. Triple cream is alright (wouldn't buy it again especially at the price and other local options) but MB is something special imo.

 

I got a 4 pack of the Mosaic + Motueka last night because what the heck. Was somewhat surprised at it being $21 but again, I'd have to trade for it to get it here so worth the little bit extra. Thought it was a little too sweet especially after having a King Sue right after. Are all OH IPAs that sweet?

 

To think people actually lined up to get this stuff. Almost two weeks later and you can still walk in and grab some.

 

Agreed. You never win when you line up for a beer, just not worth it.

I have now had the chance to open a few of these cans and I have to be honest, I was not expecting this at all. I always assumed the beers we have here are on par with the top breweries from the East coast. The Triple Nelson was too sweet for me, tasted like a Hop Butcher beer, but the Mylar Bags and Triple Cream have been "wow" beers; I can only assume it has something to do with the water profile? Whatever it is, glad I got the chance to try these. Right up there with the best of the best I have had from our local breweries (More, Corridor...and I really can't think of any others).

 

This is honestly exactly what I assumed they'd be; all hype aside, you have to figure that the non-local stuff we've all heard of is that region's version of our best, or is doing something that most people aren't doing yet (Alchemist and then Trillium before hazies blew up, Founders with CBS, etc.).

To be fair, while I'm a big proponent of not lining up, if you've got an hour or two to kill and feel like you can't miss out on a beer, I think it's worth it. I spent an hour or an hour and a half in line at Rev when VSOJ dropped, and I was happy to spend that time vs. buying it at ridiculous prices on the secondary, or just not getting it at all.

Now, for hazies I'm not quite as on-board (I'm getting a little tired of them), but for a drop from Other Half all the way from NY, I get why people would think it was worth the "risk."

 

To be fair I don't think anyone thought we be getting as much of so many of their beers. Between the quantity and the price point I get while it's still available. While the St. Charles Binny's is my local Binny's it was a strange location to be one of three to get this drop. I'm sure several other Binny's would have moved a lot more of these cans that STC.

 

Probably figured the people of St. Chuck could afford it.

 

Yeah STC is a weird place for a drop. Isn't that like a brand new store? I probably would have tried one or two of them if not for that location. Even living in Bolingbrook that's a ride because there just aren't any highways that really go there. It's all side roads, and some of them absolutely suck no matter the time of day.

 

really...hmmm..

 

That store has been open for a decade I bet. I drove 45 mins to get there from the sticks. 1 of my 2 pickups was worth it.

 

I confused the Binny's in STC with the opening of Pollyanna a few weeks ago. Knew something opened there recently.

 

I wonder how this sold in Peoria. That is a newer store.

 

The STC Binnys is one of the best performing Binnys in terms of beer sales, it has been for years. Probably a big reason they got the drop.

355 --> 88 --> 59 --> 38 (Roosevelt), its a drive but pretty damn easy

 

I know how to get there. I fish the Fox River out that way a lot - from Montgomery all the way up to C-Ville. Mostly down between Montgomery and Batavia, though.

Both 59 and 38 can be absolute trash to drive on at any time of day. With 59 being the bigger culprit. I absolutely despise driving on 59 for anything, even just a few miles.