Abyss in Texas

I have 2 spots as well but they don't get the "really" special stuff but anything St. Arnold/Karbach and I don't even have to hunt - I just get a phone call.

The really special stuff like BuffBayou (and Apparently Abyss damn it!!!!!) I'm out on the hunt lol

 

if im one of the regulars, i can still get on the "list". if you're on the list, you're probably not one of the regulars lol. if you're one of the regulars, no fucks are given about being on the "list"

dont know where cronyism exactly applies here, maybe favoritism is a better word to use here.

 

If you're #13, you didn't get your name on the list in time. It's somewhat of a chicken-and-egg thing--except those of us who work 9-5 aren't out of luck from mid-morning releases. At least we had a chance.

I'm not saying that Premium Draught or Growlers will handle releases any better than anyone else. I'm just saying that they show an amazing amount of respect and advocacy for good beer, and I hope that they use lists for releases. If they don't, I'll still frequent them because of their quality.

You're right, you don't have to worry about moving me past months-old SN Beer Camp twelvers at D&Q. I won't be there. That place is a holy mess.

 

only way to truly handle a list is a lottery system, which still means a lot of people are SOL. when's the last time you went to d&q? he reorganized not too long ago. organized chaos if you will lol, i've never had a problem finding beers.

 

If anybody is willing to part with an extra bottle of Abyss (lol) let me know.

I have some SA, Founder's, etc. I'm willing to part with. Might even see to it you get a Founder's Curmudgeon or KBS for being so damned awesome.

I have a list of goodies I'm willing to part with, BM me for details.

 

HoustonZ33, Very kind of you to offer, and definitely an attitude I enjoy within the beer community. As fickle as we may sometimes become when whale hunting, I like to remember sharing is a part of the enjoyment.

 

People will be SOL no matter. A lottery system is actually a good idea. I don't know. I've just had good experience with lists.

I was in D&Q about two weeks ago. Do check out the new shops. I think you'll dig. They're different than D&Q, for sure--less selection--but the growlers and the atmosphere make up for it.

 

A lottery system is the stupidest idea ever. Literally, ****** had better ideas.

Make relationships with your beer person and you will get the beer you want. Take care of them and they will take care of you.

 

The reality is that this beer hunting game we all play keeps getting bigger and bigger, which just means more and more people getting butt hurt about not getting something they want.

When a store gets 12 bottles of something, no matter how well you know the beer guy, the reality is that only 12 people are getting a bottle, and everyone else is getting locked out on it. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to be one of the chosen 12, but its likely that 50 people think they have an "in" with the beer guy, but still only 12 bottles.

I'm at the point now where I've given up the chase. I used to be willing to drive all over town trying to figure out when stuff would drop, but its mentally and physically exhausting. Now I'm happy to get what I get, and then trade for anything else I want, because I just see this situation getting worse and worse every year.

 

Something Lonestar in Carrollton did was a raffle. They got 12 bottles and roughly 100 people signed up for it via facebook. I love this idea because the "hunt/chase" is getting old to me also. I hope more beer stores begin to do things like this. Places need to take care of their regulars but also reserve an allotment for creative ways to to get new regulars.

 

As long as its not new "friends" signing up I could be cool with this idea but I much prefer a first come first served business. And I also understand what Matt said a few posts back about how to build a relationship. Literally every store I frequent I know the names of most of the employees and/or make it a point to smile and be friendly with them. This means I rarely walk in and out of a store and can be a 30 minute conversation at times.

Really this beer wasn't that hard to find if you were willing to drive around a bit. Most places had limits and enforced them well. That said at two places I obtained bottles from I got the last 'non reserved' bottles and I jumped thru hoops during lunch to get them..so I may be singing a different tune had things worked out slightly differently

 

Careful now boy, you spout off that kind of talk 'round here and you're bound to get a whole bunch of whining about how unfair that is from a bunch of entitled, socially awkward neckbeards that aren't "in the club"...

 

Totally agree, although it's a good problem to have as our emerging beer scene expands. Overall, the state as a whole is seeing new breweries and more limited releases, so that's a good thing. I think as the years pass and these super limited releases are more consistent, the hype will die down. Also at a national level, craft beer is growing like gangbusters and I think many breweries are struggling to keep distribution demands from new markets.

Piss on driving on all over town though. Especially in Austin traffic, forget it. Trading is super easy and there are so many people out there that are willing to accommodate your needs. I've gotten great stuff (BA Raspy, MoAS, Cascade sours, etc...) for our regular releases.

/off topic

Abyss is good
/on topic

BK

 

Beards are out and women are in. Trust me, this change is good.

 

It has been getting a lot worse over the last couple of years. If TABC would just get out the way and let us ship beer to Texas then that would improve things. I only got one bottle of Dissident locally after spending hours looking. Then I found a store online in about 30 minutes that sold me 6 bottles. Unfortuately when they saw I lived in Texas I got the "I'm sorry but we can't ship to you" email.

 

I'm throwing out ideas for places like HEB and WFM, who in my eyes should be worried about sales in a first come first served setup. While you might have a "relationship" with your WFM or HEB guy, he'll get trumped every single time you try to find a higher up because you aren't on the list.

******? :facepalm:

 

And on that note, I just got a phone call that my Abyss is in!

Start hunting folks because I'm sure this is the last of it - Everybody that was supposed to get it Monday, Has it today.

 

Just got my first order in. Much better than dealing with driving around to places not having it. Good luck to everyone. Splitting with fellow BAs/friends who also were unable to get in TX. 6 this order, 8 the next

 

Let the butthurt and cries of "hording" begin!!!

lol

 

I have some descent trading partners, but honestly, not much from Texas will pull that kind of stuff. And sadly that which will, is usually too hard to get anyways. Limited Jester King and Karbach Barrel beers are about it and they are only marginally easier to get than Abyss.