Parabola in Chicago

WF on Huron is out

 

Anyone seen it in the near west suburbs?

 

I think I saw a bottle in Atlanta, GA. QUICK. Everyone head to Atlanta!

 

I am pretty sure that I am done with 95% of "special" releases in Chicago. Not worth my time, effort or frustration. I realized that I would rather be sitting at home than chasing beer.

 

Which side of Atlanta? I've got family there!

 

North side represent!

 

bit off topic, did Wookey Jack come and go yet?

 

No kidding. This year's KBS was the first release where I just said, "No thanks". And you know what? It was fine. I did find a bar with KBS on tap and I had two glasses -- I liked the beer. I was glad I drank some of it. The end.

Is my life any worse off for not having picked up bottles? In all honesty, no. Is my life worse off for not having had any more on draft? No, not really. If I had not even been able to find it on draft, would I be any worse off in life? No.

Don't get me wrong, I love beer. It's tasty, it's interesting -- learning about different brewers and breweries really informs what I'm drinking -- and knowing that a beer is made a mile from my apartment, and then seeing the process in person, does add to my enjoyment. But to not get a specific (bottled) beer? I'm okay with letting that pass now. Maybe I'm just too old -- or maybe I've just come to look at beer differently, I don't know. I will say this -- it's. just. beer.

That I didn't buy any Parabola this year? Look, I've enjoyed a healthy 30 years of my life with zero awareness of FW Parabola -- is my life, overall, any better for having had some? Eh...? Maybe? Would it be any better still if I had 22oz. of this sitting in my fridge or my closet? Ehhh.... I'll say no. Hell, I was at Revolution last weekend and I'm 99% certain they had just tapped a new batch of Iron Fist. Damn near as good as Zombie Dust. And, right now? I'm drinking an IPA from Goose that was bottled 6/01 (and yes, in Chicago) -- and holy crap is it good. And this Goose IPA tastes just as sweet (er, bitter... but you know what I mean) as anything else I've had recently.

Which isn't to take away from those who continue to chase beer. I can absolutely believe that part of the enjoyment is the chase itself (and eventual purchase) and that the actual drinking of the beer may be secondary. And if you've never had a certain beer but have heard all about it? Yes, I'd love to satiate that same curiosity. And, personally, I'll seek out Bourbon County and its variations but beyond that, I just don't see how the trade-off (time spent vs. beer enjoyed) is worth it.

My own un-asked for advice for those who are disappointed that they didn't find any Parabola (or enough) is to remind you that it's just beer -- and that getting one bottle (or more!) really cannot be a matter of life or death. If you're particularly anxious for a bottle (or glass) of Parabola, look for a nice, big stout brewed by a local brewery. Maybe Rise, from Revolution next week, or something from Pipeworks like the End of Days. Nope, no barrel-aging for either one but still, enjoy that bottle/glass. Go the extra step and talk to the brewers (via facebook, twitter or even in person). Then, please, tell me that the experience of drinking some Parabola [or insert your own Rare/Limited/Hard-to-Find/Sought-after beer] is, in any way, a superior experience.

 

Per some tweets I read via Vav's twitter feed -- no. All of the bottles are being kept local for now. Distribution to Chicago (or anywhere else, I guess) is TBA.

Makes me wish I had picked up a glass of this during CCBW but see above.

 

I don't think so. But if you want to be sure, ask some of the nuts above who apparently have quit their jobs to harass local liquor stores so they can find Parabola.

 

I take offense to this statement. I ignore my job to call and harass liquor stores all day. Why you seem to be bitter about that, I do not know.

 

Thanks! That's really a nice compliment!

 

I was only (half) joking.

 

No worries, so was I.

 

wookey jack was great. only, i had it out of town and not here. i really wish it gets here soon.

 

Correct. Wookey Jack is staying in California for the time being.

 

^ i wish i would have known it was staying local to cali for now. i would have brought a memento.
ignore the bud light, he was a late bloomer to the party. but wookey is in the middle, my gf to the right enjoying the stone chocolate cherry vanilla stout.

 

It would be absurd of me to disagree with any of the populist sentiments voiced by danimalarkey earlier in the thread. I for one find it more satisfying to wait for a rare beer to be tapped at an area bar versus buying a bottle. But I find it instructive that your plea of "it's just beer, get over it" seems to apply to every beer EXCEPT your favorite, Bourbon County Stout. Isn't it possible that some folks have tried Parabola and like it as much or more than Bourbon County, and are willing to go through equally heroic efforts for Parabola as the effort you're willing to put into BCBS? And that those people will not be suicidal if they fail to acquire Parabola, but merely disappointed and coming to the most logical place (here) to voice that disappointment?

Nothing wrong with expanding one's horizons, and getting one's mindset out of the box of the latest hot beer to hit the market. But using a beer advocacy forum to spread that message that "it's just beer" (i.e. not that important) seems about as appropriate as using a pulpit at a church to spread the message that "god doesn't exist!" Some folks have chosen to make this pursuit a priority for their own good reasons, and I'm actually quite pleased to see the amount of selfless sharing of information going on in this thread -- thereby reducing the amount of individual effort required of each of us. The information sharing for past releases (i.e. BCBS) was minimal at best.

If I decide that acquiring a Parabola or two is worth the effort, then yes, I can tell you that doing so will be a superior experience to any alternatives. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to share a Bourbon County Coffee and Bramble at Dark Lord Day, acquired through herculean efforts on my part. I hope that those I shared with agree that it was a worthwhile way to spend part of my workday several months ago. In the end my work still got done, I got the beers I was seeking, and several folks got to try a beer that they might not have gotten to otherwise.

 

Do you guys know any Record nerds?
Its the never-dying feeling that theres something out there you MUST acquire as well as the thrill of the hunt that drives this "rare beer" (or "rare" anything really) craziness.

I used to join in the hunt but it's no longer fun for me and I'd rather do other things with my time.
To each his own... also I bought 4 bottles last year and am 100% Parabola'd out, probably for life.

 

Fair enough, foobula, and well said on your part, too.