Wedding Pony Keg

So I am getting married come August of this year and, considering my beer interest and that of a number of my friends, I am hunting for something nice and dark now as I know it will not be available in August. Looking at the distribution book from Totalwine I have some idea of what is in the area possibly, but after calling around and chatting with a few owners it seems it might be unlikely I get what I want even if it is available. I am looking for either a 1/6th or possibly 1/4th barrel. The beers I have seen distributed in the area which I think I would be interested in are:

Santa's Little Helper
He'Brew Jewbelation 17
BBXXV (lol doubt)
Dogfish Head WW Stout
Dogfish Head Palo Santo
Abyss (same as BBXXV)

Any suggestions on where I could possibly find these? Also any other recommendations of other kegs which might be distributed in the area (all I am going off of is the last TW booklet and personally I have never tracked keg availability, only bottle). Any help is appreciated. In addition to the stout love (especially bourbon barrel/comparative barrel aged) we are fans of American/English BWs or Old Ales, especially with some barrel aging which I would definitely consider in place of a dark keg, but again running into the same problem of availability.

Thanks

 

Yeap no worries I am in the right forum. Moving up to Everett in April (currently in town right now finishing my dissertation before I defend). I was checking the totalwine book from lynnwood . I am looking to grab something in the next month or two as I rather not put down to luck (and honestly doubt I would have any chance of getting my hands on a pony of XXVI in August) closer to the wedding.

 

Considering our drinking habits and the fact I am only planning on 15-20 gallons of beer + however many bottles of wine the fiance wants, I dont expect anyone to be smashed (will be around 120 people most of whom drink). And yeap nice being back in the PNW (went to school here for undergrad).

 

I will check them out, I actually have a list of breweries I was planning on calling in the next day or two. Would love any suggestions from any brewery within a 50-100 mile radius with comparative styles. Main thing is I would definitely need to try the beer before buying but I am sure that is something I can discuss with the brewery.

 

Yeap on the list but considering how quickly it disappears I am doubting it. I have also been told one issue is this is for a wedding and places like more 'distribution' for these beers. Not sure I can convince them considering a large number of beer drinkers will be coming but from out-of-market so possibly little benefit to them. We will see.

 

Yeap, the pony is just for the winter season beer (which needs to be purchased now as I suspect I wont find comparable in August), other beers, which will be lighter and able to be found easier closer to the wedding, will be purchased prior to the wedding, possibly from the same brewery if local. No worries on the amount of beer or my location guys, I do have some idea of what I am doing, just looking for ideas of options for keg purchases or good options of local beers which are available in kegs .

 

Honestly I wasn't amazed by last years BA Abominable. Still have 1 bottle I was going to pop with friends as a second try but not sure I would want it or the standard. I have only heard good things about the BA Dark Star and would love to try, same with standard Dark Star. I need to get to the brewpub and try a few I am thinking but havent had the chance. Online it looks like only Abominable are available in kegs.

 

Yea sadly Dark Star is not sold direct, pretty much only to distributors. Hmmm

 

Yea awesome list, sadly mostly out of date, and he said even if he had they wouldnt have been selling most of what I was hoping for. Thanks though for the link, best hope ive had yet . He is checking on a few for me though.

 

Hmm good to know, I thought I had called and was told you didn't have any for sale. Is it in in a 1/6th or 1/4th? Would there be an issue with us holding the keg for an extended period deposit wise? I will aim to stop by sometime this week to chat/drink some beers but schedule may be difficult with dissertation writing and interviewing.

I had pretty much come to the decision that it wouldn't be possible to get the bourbon stouts/BWs i was hoping to. I figured I would try and leverage my $1400+ alcohol budget at one of the wine/beer stores in the area where we would purchase a large amount if they would agree to put a keg of something I wanted on tap where I could fill a number of growlers as well. This would avoid me purchasing an entire limited keg but still getting the beer I want fresh. The sad thing is I just learned a friend of mine had the opportunity to get a keg of abyss but didn't contact me as he was flying out to deal with family health issues. That would have been an amazing wedding beer.