Black Friday GI

Pretty sure it's just when it hits shelves. None of the stouts are ticketed releases.

 

I believe Goose Island partners with Binny's (the Lincoln Park one), and people line up before the store opens. Last year there was a raffle to get some older variants, if I recall correctly (vanilla and cherry rye, for example), but in general it's just first come, first served.

 

I'm in line already. There's about 20 people in front of me

 

The Chicago Goose Island production brewery is not open to the public. The brewpubs and the production brewery are not owned by the same people (John Hall and InBev, respectively). They have no official events for Black Friday and do not generally sell bottles.

The event at the liquor store across from the Clybourn brewpub (Binny's) runs an event around the area. I'm lighting the @Vav signal, since he runs the thing.

 

It's July people!!!

 

It is never too early to want Bourbon County. I'm already planning my 2017 Black Friday trip to Chicago.

 

And there is already a thread started about the upcoming release. Just stop the hype train already please, this shit is ridiculous.

 

My understanding of how it works is: call your local liquor stores that week to see who will actually be carrying it, then show up an hour (or more) before the store opens on Friday.

 

OP, all stores release Bourbon County bottles on Black Friday, in all states... most people end up driving all over to nab the bottles they're looking for. And there's NO guarantees. This isn't like Dark Lord Day. The only Chicago-specific bottle is the proprietors. So, I'd say save the money/headaches and trade for what you want.

 

On the other hand, if you do want to make the trip into Chicago, I would imagine GI Clybourn and Binny's Lincoln Park will most likely have some variety of BCBS on tap all day (GI did last year, and Binny's didn't have a tap room at the time, but Adam and Co. have been killing it with their taplist since their recent taproom grand opening). So you can line up early in the morning at Binny's like so many people do (I've never done it, but I'm considering it this year), and then head over and drink some of the stuff on tap afterwards. It's a win-win.

But if you're not trying to make a trip to Chicago other than to get beer, you can probably trade for most. Just be aware that if they are indeed releasing vanilla again this year, all hell is going to break loose.

 

It didn't hit Tennessee last year until mid-December actually, so don't assume anything OP. Get to know people at your local stores, they will tell you when they are getting it and what variants will be available.

 

ISO: Emperor Penguin FT: Front of the Line @ Black Friday 2017

 

Here's what I don't get about this - delivery doesn't occur between closing time the day prior, and the opening of the store that Friday... so what, do people stand around the store for hours until the truck shows up or what?

 

That has always been my issue. What good beer I get a hold of, I usually drink, so I don't have a cellar full of whales to trade for this stuff.

Luckily I live in Chicago, so Bourbon County is one of the few things I don't need to trade for.

 

Per Bjorn, brewer at GI, they will have a vanilla/coconut variant this year... prob and bcbvs combo... pretty stoked!