Costco Beer Advent Calendar (2023)

I took a quick look in the Costco, Myrtle Beach... no dice. I won't be back there for several weeks at least. Oh well, maybe next year.

 

We bought one. No idea what's in it.

 

Aldi here in Australia are selling them this year.

I picked up a 12-can case done by Kalea for about $56AUD on Monday. Expensive for a 12-pack, sure. But will be good to get into these beers. There's a smoked beer which looks good. Most of them are Helles.

 

The odd thing with these beers is that for the few that I looked at they have 2025/03 stamped on the bottom of the can so the best by date is 15 months away. Not sure when they were canned, but I think I saw them appear at Costco about 2 months ago. That sure is a long shelf life unless they mean something else.

 

I have always wanted this it all new German breweries for me I think so that’s fun. I’ve never been to Costco and don’t know know anyone with membership though. Is this available in Massachusetts?

 

I do this every year with friends. Whoever cracks theirs first snaps a picture with a theme and everyone follows.

 

Anyone wanting to be surprised, cover your eyes. Here are this year's beers, according to the Kalea site.

 

Some states you do not need a membership to buy anything in the liquor stores. I believe MA might be one of them.

 

Interesting. Klosterbräu in Bamberg has a rauchbier in there. Never tried their take on the style, but their beers can be full-on amazing and (sadly) pretty terrible at times. I don't necessarily want the rest of the pack, but would be very interested in that beer in particular.

 

I bought mine at least a month ago and only have 4 left (got started a little early). I agree, there are a lot more Helles this year compared to previous years. I always enjoy it, even if the majority of them are just OK beers. And, at about $3.00 a pint, can't beat the price.

 

This is one of the 4 I have left.

 

Out of curiosity, does the can mention anything about the beer being produced under license by Kaiserdom or one of their aliases (Alt-Bamberg/Bürgerbräu Bamberg)? That's who owns 'em now, so it wouldn't be off-base or anything.

 

Label mentions brewed by Klosterbräu Bamberg GmbH. Here is the label.

 

Interesting. That's the right address, too.

 

The range from Aldi Australia this year, via Kalea. I think its similar to the Costco one from last year which I noticed when I looked up the individual beers here on BA.

Not sure of Costco Australia are doing these. I havent been into Costco in about a year. I do know they don't sell Kirlkland branded beer. They sell Australian and Asian macro beers.

 

Costco has a winner with their Advent Calendar.

 

No mention of Kaiserdom or Alt-Bamberg/Burgerbrau Bamberg anywhere on the can. It does state "Brewed by Klosterbrau Bamberg, GMBH, Obere Muhlbrucke 1-3, 96049 Bamberg, Germany

 

Does anyone find that most of the lagers taste fairly similar to one another? They all have that sweet cereal taste but seem to lack any other real prominent dimensions. Are my taste buds deceiving me? I tend to really enjoy German beer, so I’m taken aback.