Chasing Beer

Been there, done that.

 

i work at 2 stores. why chase when they come to me?

 

I really like this attitude. I was real happy for one guy who just happened to walk into the bar the day Goose Island came to town and they were bringing out bottles of King Henry and Rare for people to taste (along with many others). He had no idea, he just wanted to come in, walked off the street and wanted good beer.

Lots of dumb luck out there, I've been fortunate as well. "stuff" happens, and I am sure that guy went home and his life has never been the same (beer wise that is)

 

My personal beer adventure has come to this. When I first started drinking craft beer I drank everything local(ish). Alot of bell's, founders, brewkettle, fatheads, great lakes, etc. Then last year I had to try everything new and "rare". That got old real fast. I still trade with a couple people but not for anything rare. I just like trying new things that maybe people in other states just pass over all of the time. Now I have come full circle and am drinking all of the things I did when I first started. It's kind of nice to be honest. Had a Two Hearted tonight, a beer I passed over for a solid year because I wanted the newest and best thing. It was delicious.

 

There were some reports on the NJ board; make of this what you will, but it seems legit enough for me:
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/kbs-week-of-3-31-in-nj.164432/page-3#post-2307890

Plus, a couple of years ago I heard a driver tell the beer guy where I shop that people were following him. It's happening, although it may be a few isolated instances.

 

I was fortunate to land a 4 pack of KBS... I gave one to my best customer, traded 1 to a very good trade partner, gave 1 to my brother and saved one for a side by side with last years(Which is the same exact sequence as last year). It's really damn good...but not like it's bottled vagina juice.

 

I don't chase beers. I let beers chase me.

 

FT: ______ ISO: KBS

Chase over.

 

It may become a vicious circle. Wait until your local pub becomes similar to a 3Floyds. You'll be searching for a new place, the crowds will make sure you do.

 

As long as the "chase" is reasonable and civilized, I think it is sort of exciting. However, as a Reds and former Bengals season ticket holder, I agree the chase loses it's appeal with no trophy at the end. It also sucks when you know karma owes you a few. I had talked to the bottle shop 45 minutes from me in Newark a few times when I was in there grabbing some stuff, and they were very nice and up front about when they were getting KBS. I had to work that day so I checked around noon to see if they still had some left. Guy said 2 four packs, but someone is on way from Columbus for them - first come, first serve. So I sent my sister-in-law who was about 15 minutes away. She asked if I wanted both. Told her to just get 1 because someone else was on way. She got there in time to watch guy carry both across parking lot. Even more reason to "shop local" I couldn't agree more about the selection available to us right now. Thirsty Dog is a little over an hour from me and they make fantsatic beers. To each his own, but dont let the Moby Dicks of the world ruin the experience.

 

Doesn't RR distribute their sours to PA? I'd be happy drinking these every day for the rest of my life.

 

I've never chased beer and I will never chase beer. If I know my local store is getting something, then I'll go there. I have better things to do with my time and really, it's just not that important.

 

Lots of good stuff in here. Honestly I like knowing that la fin du monde, saison dupont, and several A rated local IPAs and stouts are readily available. Those along with wicked weed ours will be keeping me happy for a long time.

 

A girlfriend, I get it, so the girlfriend can go stand in line for him, right?

 

Do you guys chasing these brews NOT frequent a local bottle shop? Or is that allotment just not enough for you that you have to chase it at other stores?

Maybe I'm lucky down here, but I stop in maybe once a week to 2 shops and as long as they know ahead of time that I'd like to buy "X" beer if they get some I will be put on a list or just called when it's in before the public is told about the first come first serve. This is good business

So again, do you chasers NOT have a local shop that will take care of you or is that allotment just not enough for you?

 

I don't chase, I buy what I happen to find in the store when I decide to go beer shopping. There's too much good stuff out there to worry about it.

 

I don't chase KBS. I wait for my local shop to get it then I wait for my allotment. which was one bottle.

 

I don't chase trucks or drive absurdly long distances. I frequent three local shops and have built relationships with all. I follow them on Facebook and/or Instagram, and when something new comes in that I want, they happily reserve it for me. Maybe not all places will do this, but loyalty and friendliness goes a long way.

 

Last year was the first year I began chasing beer. I was still pretty new to the whole scene and was able to snag some Hopslam on my first try. This year was different...when Hopslam was released I spent 3 or 4 separate occasions going to DC to search it out. After a dozen failed attempts and roughly $50 in parking tickets, I was finally able to pick up a 6-pack for $20. I was disappointed to say the least, and finally learned my lesson. Although I'll admit that I was tempted to hunt down KBS this year, I had to hold back. I can no longer justify spending hours of my time to seek out a beer based on the hype surrounding it.

 

I didn't chase for it, I went to two stores and got 2 bottles at each. I, just like you, go to a store bi-weekly usually, and was not guaranteed anything, just like a lot of people on this website. My store as well as yours probably has a lot of people who 'frequent' it, and one bottle or two bottles per 'good customer' might still not be enough.

Like others have said we all have a different definition of chasing, every store gets a different allotment, and everyone does not have an 'in' at one or more stores.