Abyss in Texas

ok, to put all this to rest, i was just up in portland for a long weekend, got back 1-21. went to many beer stores and saw abyss nowhere. not one place had any except bars that had great bottle lists, but that doesnt count. I probably hit up 9-10 stores... in and around portland, and even up into hood river. Also, it is made in Oregon...

 

Why is Deschutes supposed to distribute based on population alone? Shit, if I were them I probably wouldn't mess with Texas at all for small numbers products given our batshit insane laws. Also, I'd distribute the special stuff based on my sales; areas that buy the most of my everyday six-packs would get the most Reserve Series releases. Perhaps Texas is one of those markets, though.

 

Yes, I know it's brewed in bend. Let me transfer a photo and I'll have it up. You're "let me put this to rest" statement would suggest I'm lying... Also, I did state this was from a grocery store. Not sure if you hit that amongst your beer stores.

 

Oh look, more drama coming up, we should start calling this facebook. This entire thread makes me realize how fortunate I am to have grabbed what I did.

 

Where was this?

 

I'm not saying you are lying, I would expect places to have displays when it came out. I was just clarifying that people have said it is all over oregon. it isnt still.

 

Valid point. I don't know the #'s on how we rate as far as buying their everyday stuff but I completely agree.

My real point of bringing up a "states allotment each" was I believe the size of our state hurts us. I threw out those three areas and forgot about El Paso which is now also taking away from the allotment the other three areas gets. In short I guess I wished they looked at it as a city by city allotment size instead of "here's what Texas is getting let the distributors figure it out".

No one in Austin should be able to comment any further on butthurt. You bastards got too damn much Abyss

 

No clue tbh, it was sent to me by a friend in Portland, recently, when he picked up my stash.

Gotcha. I'm just basing this on the pics he sent and what the "beer guy" was saying when he called. I asked him to look out for both abyss and dissident (thinking it might be just as rare there) as well as anything that fits my tastes and/or local/rare stuff. He's not a huge beer guy, being allergic to gluten/wheat, so he was getting help. The guy was glad to move a lot of the abyss because it "was taking up too much shelf space and hasn't been moving as quickly as they thought"... those were his words and this was a couple weeks ago. He almost sounded pissed that it was hogging 2 endcaps, a center display, and regular shelf space. Abyss was also found in abundance in the other 2 locations he ended up looking for beer in. Either he got incredibly lucky, it's all been claimed since then, or Oregonians don't hit grocery stores for beer like texans do? No clue man. Just passing on what I've been told and overheard on my end.

 

Dissident, when I was there in 2010 when it came out, was extremely hard to come by. I chased down one bottle after pleading with a grocery store manager. I assume it was difficult this year as well, but cant speak to that. there was none of that around either.

 

That's odd because I think he found more of that. it was $14.99, I know I have a pic where it's sitting next to Abyss in the regular beer aisle. I know it was difficult in austin but that's because we got 33-35 cases for the greater austin area. Those numbers are directly from the rep. I just assumed, based on what he was running in to, it was just as plentiful as abyss in portland. I'm pretty sure there's still some in a couple of locations too though. People aren't searching for it as much as abyss I guess.

 

I'm willing to trade a bottle with you Houston or DFW peeps if you're coming to ATX.

I'm partial to barrel-aged beers from out of state. This beer is currently trading at 2.53BCBSU.

 

I say, since we both work nights, we just get together every morning and drink it all throughout the month I'll bring my stock too.

 

Heaven.

 

I spoke with the Deschutes sales rep here in TX and she has been hounded by people across the state (and me espcially) about the limited supply of Abyss. She won't answer me as to why ATX and Dallas got Dissident and not Houston. Lucklily I've come across 2 bottles of Abyss, although one of those did have to come from family in San Diego. But this is kind of what the beer scene is like these days. There are more of us wanting the good stuff and not enough good stuff to go around. Granted, Deschutes did produce less this year than in years past. Thankfully some of us have regular trading partners who keep us in mind when something we like hits their shelves. I find that hunting for some of this stuff is frustratingly fun. I've missed a few that I wanted, but that doesn't stop me from keeping an eye out.

Nostrovya

 

Which is a valid point, too. It's kinda like the "two senators from each state" issue, but with something important (beer).

 

forgot san antonio...

 

Looks like a couple of the HEB's in the Austin area I saw it at.
Could have bought 2 cases if I was that kind of person and had an endless beer budget. I think HEB throwing their hat in the ring really contributed to lesser numbers around the state. There was no limit...no control over their inventory of their product. They treat a special release like they treat a bomber of SNPA...just throw it on the shelf. Central Markets ok...I can see limited, seasonal releases like the Abyss in that model...but HEB's in suburbia...I don't know.

 

It's up to people to self limit as well.