Westy 12 Coming to Oregon - Break out the checkbooks

Pass.

 

I'll just go buy some Rochefort 10 and St. Bernardus Abt. 12 instead.

 

The craziest thing isn't the $84.99 msrp. Isn't the wholesale price something like $83.50?

 

If I see it, I'll probably buy one to age the bottles even though I have at least one in my cellar. But I'm kind of stupid.

 

I believe so - I remember reading that in one of the other Westy threads...one store manager said he declined the chance to order some because he wanted to adhere to the $84.99 MSRP, but he couldn't justify it given the $1.49/set profit margin.

 

6 bottles of Westy plus 2 swank glasses at $84.99= less than 11 bucks for each 'entity' in the pack. Not really all that outrageous IMO, although with all the badass HOTD and whatnot you've got available out there, I can see how one would skip it without a second thought.

Over here in SC, I'll probably pass not due to the price, but because I like other easily obtainable quads like St B better. I might try to get one for trade bait down the road, though. (Maybe for some of the aforementioned HOTD badassery, ha.)

Edit: The price margin thing is rather curious, ain't it?

 

It'll sell out immediately, and actually, its cheaper than HOTD releases

 

Swank glasses? Do you mean shrank glasses? I wish the gift pack came with full size Westy glasses instead of the smaller versions that they actually sent.

 

I must plead ignorance here; had no idea that these gift pack glasses were not "the real deal".

 

The crazy thing pack only costs ~25 euro if you buy it at the brewery. I realize that there are distribution costs but having an MSRP that's almost 3x the regular price seems crazy (and in some states they are selling it for +$100).

But supposedly almost 100% of the proceeds go back to the monastery, so I guess it makes sense that the MSRP is so close to the wholesale price.

And yes, despite the crazy price I would buy one if I could. I was going to give my bro some of my personal stash for Christmas, but this way I could give him a full set for himself. Unfortunately, I found out that I have to travel for work on the 12th and won't get back until Friday. So I'm expecting there's almost no chance any of these will be left in the store by then.

 

Seeing that Rochefort 10 is way better (and much cheaper // easier to get a hold of) I will pass. Have had Westy 10-15 times and it has lost its appeal. Now Rochefort 10 on the other hand....

1. Drink Rochefort 10 all day.
2. ??????
3. Profit.

 

I'm inclined to split one with a couple people. I've had it before, mail order and at the source, but wouldn't mind a couple bottles to age.

 

Is this coming to WA state? hmmm

-- Nevermind just found the list. Looks like WA state getting snubbed. Probably a good thing as this is outrageous but I would be tempted.

http://121212xii.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/hello-world/

 

What's a checkbook?

 

I won't be driving down to Oregon for this, but I admit I'd be tempted if I could get this locally, despite the price.
What gets me is the allegation that the abbey/brewery is pushing for the high price tag. If that is true, I guess I just don't want to hear the monks complaining anymore about illegitimate/gray market sales and ridiculous mark-ups of a beer that sells for only a couple bucks or so per bottle at the brewery. They're doing exactly the same thing.

 

Someone can correct me if I am wrong. But my understanding is that the only reason these bricks are being released is to help fund upgrades to their facilities. Hence, the higher cost.

 

That's my understanding as well. So we get the privilege of paying a 1200% markup so they can upgrade their facilities and promptly cease exporting to the U.S. again? I'd rather just see them charge a little bit more for every case sold at the brewery; apparently they're not pricing their beer at a level that can sustain general upkeep. And by underpricing, they're contributing to the very black/gray market they decry.

FWIW, here are the prices at the brewery (24-bottle cases):
Blond: €30 ($23)
8: €34 ($26)
12: €39 (30)

So if my math is right (always a dubious assertion), you could get these same six bottles at the brewery for a total of roughly $6.60 (if you could buy individual bottles, which of course you can't). I'm not saying that's what the price should be for these bricks, but $85 certainly seems a bit excessive to me.

Sell twice as many and charge $45/brick. That's still a huge markup and you'll still raise as much money for the brewery, without appearing quite so brazenly greedy. You might even have enough that you can sell a little in Washington State.

 

I'm not defending the price... But I'm sure the story created around the bricks along with the rarity of the beer will make it sell regardless of $45 or $85 price tags.