Iowa Rumors?

That is true in regards to Black Note from what I heard.

 

Holy crap! Year old Hopslam causes autism? Just another reason to drink it fresh.

 

I think this was more a move on the part of the distributor to build-hype following the draft release and prevent bottle sales from cannibalizing draft sales (and vice versa), rather than a request from Bells. I'm guessing this is also why the places that had it on tap were requested not to fill growlers. Bell's has always been pretty diligent in getting Hopslam to consumers as quick as possible after bottling. For example, last year they originally planned to do a coordinated release across all their markets on a set date, but latter changed their mind. Larry Bell issued a press release stating that such a hard release date would require some distributors to sit on the Hopslam and that "Hopslam should be consumed as fresh as possible" (see http://bellsbeer.com/blog/66-Changes_in_2012_Hopslam_Release). Moreover, from the bottle dates listed in Hopslam (2013) thread, it seems that bells consistently gets Hopslam to each market in less than a week of bottling.

While I think the freshness element may sometimes get exaggerated on these forums, and I really think 3-week old Hopslam is still pretty fresh, I think this move by the distributor really shows a lack understanding and respect for the quality of the product they are carrying. After all, Hopslam in bottles and draft was always going to sell out (and fast). I sent an email to Bells, stating my disappointment with the situation, and I can only hope that in the future they instruct the distributor not to this again.

 

Altoona Hyvee has 2 cases remaining selling a limit of one six-pack per customer.

 

Not to mention, we have no clue whether this was kept refrigerated the whole it was being sat on. I know when I got mine at Hy-Vee, the cases were not refrigerated. Hy-Vee of course knew they wouldn't need to stock/shelve this beer as it would be gone ASAP, but makes me hope at least Johnson Bros kept it refrigerated for the last 2+ weeks while in storage.

If anyone feels compelled to e-mail Johnson Bros directly and voice their opinion, here is the corporate e-mail: [email protected]

And the Iowa contact: [email protected]

 

Hopslam for $14.99 at Whole Foods in Des Moines according to their FB page.

 

I have emailed both. I also made sure to point out that they have no idea what they are doing, point in example being holding onto the Hopslam, and trading their allotment of Black Note off.

How disappointing.

 

Replying to myself...may have sold out yesterday. Not certain.

 

Here's an update. Johnson Brothers within an hour responded via telephone to my email. The justification on the late delivery of the Hopslam is because the cases were awarded to accounts based on their sales through the 25th of the month. Their allotment was received earlier, and they did not want to go back on there word, and award cases with time still to be had to increase sales at retail locations. They only received their cases seven days prior to today. Or, in other words, they did not hold onto it for an excessive amount of time.

I suppose though, as the phone call caught me off guard, I should have clarified as to why the kegs were here earlier than a week ago.

About Black Note, they DID NOT, trade their allocation for more Hopslam. It's just that they have not received any yet. The gentleman I spoke with seemed to know his business, and what he was speaking on. It was prefaced with apologies, and told me to call direct if there were any future issues, or concerns. He handles it well, and seems to honestly want to represent Bells well.

In other words, I am fairly satisfied with the whole situation.

 

Redblacks...that jives with I was told by the wine and spirits manager at a local hyvee. Same manager also said Black Note was a big question mark. He was hoping to get at least some in fron the distributor and would sell single bottles if need be.

 

Well thats good to know and I'm impressed they called you back. I kept hearing bad news/rumors from liquor stores around town, but this may have just been the result of frustration on the part of store workers/owners. I guess it's sometimes easiest to blame the middleman. Hopefully we still get some black note though.

Life was much less stressful before I started paying attention to bottle dates.

 

This is exactly what I was told when I called. However, even the middle men need to remember that it is the end user that dictates what is bought.

 

That is cool they actually called you back and I'm also satisfied with the explanation tbey gave you. Thanks for inquiring with them.

Still wonder why Beer Crazy got theirs over 2 weeks ago though and they are apparently the only place in Iowa to get it that early.

 

Yeah, I'd also like to know how Beer Crazy managed to get their shipment almost two weeks before anyone else.

Unrelated to Hopslam, someone I follow on Twitter retweeted a response from Deschutes that they are looking to come to Iowa! Sometime between summer and January they said.

 

Deschutes told me something very similar about 4 years ago in regards to coming to Nebraska. They still aren't in NE. Love to see them in Iowa (and/or NE).

 

That is the info I got from my sales rep too.

 

Oh sure, go ahead and burst my bubble why don't you?

 

Madhouse Templeton Rye barrel aged Imperial Stout is at Cyclone liquors in Ames $7.99
This was my favorite beer from BrrrFest last weekend.

 

IMO the distributers should have known better on the date they sent it out, and changed the date(of competed sales) to and earlier date. They knew when they were going to receive Hopslam so why didn't they make sure they could get it out as soon as possible. I also heard a rumor that the distributor was bullying retail stores during the sitting period to buy more bell's products telling them it would help their chances on receiving more hopslam. Everyone retail store I talked to complained about the distributer. Hopefully they get their stuff together for next year. It was disappointing that most of the other states got their hopslam 1 to 2 weeks fresh.

I do also think it was a stand-up move on their part to call you back.

 

This is true the more bells prosucts you sell the more hopslam you will recieve........Johnson Bros at its best......