KBS Week 2017

The last 3 years the ticket you bought online reserved an allotment of up to (3) 4 packs per ticket. When you arrived a the brewery and gave your ticket and ID you were asked, "how many?" They gave you how many you wanted, you paid and were on your way. Never took longer than 10 minutes because they spread it out through the week. Each day they stocked enough bottles to full fill tickets for that day, so they wouldn't run out. If anything they may not sell it all. If someone didn't take their full allotment, they sold it at a later date, usually unannounced. Not sure how that wouldn't work with two bottle formats.

 

This, to me, is the key issue behind the change. I also don't see it as a cash grab. They were probably going to sell out regardless of what approach they took, so it's really a wash from Founders' perspective. This way, they know exactly what needs to be packed, they don't have to worry about any POS issues (like when the guy in front of me had one card rejected and problems with the stripe on the second), there's no miscommunication (was that 2 4-packs and a bomber or a pack and 2 bombers?). These aren't major issues, but it seems so much more efficient from both sides to not deal with any of it. Scan the ticket, check the ID, here's your package.

 

I think you guys are looking for BeerFormatAdvocate.com

 

Exactly this. Just make sure you have enough bottles (of both sizes) to cover tickets for the day assuming maximum allotment. What doesn't sell by ticket goes into the store the following week, or into the cellar for the cellar raid. Sounds too easy.

 

It just seems like some folks are looking for conspiracies and/or expecting things to be done in their best interest. The way I see it (and I realize we all see things differently) is that they make a lot of this beer that a lot of people want. No matter what, they sell out of it. So, they have figured out a way to make it be an easier process. It seems like a given that this new process will be easier for them and may require less resources and be more cost efficient. And they still sell everything...why wouldn't they do that from a business standpoint? There's obviously the chance when you make a change that a certain set of customers will not care for the change, but I think this will not result in much of that.

 

This may also be a way to keep more of it in the hands of locals. Now I as a Chicagolandian have to really commit to getting up there if I buy a ticket and hope hard that the weather is good and no family or work emergencies creep up.

 

This is a good point. I'd also say that as a Chicagolandian (that's a mouthful), there isn't much incentive to feeling a need to get an allocation of this from Founders. There is so much of this that hits our market that I think the allure of going to GR for this is more just for the event of being around the brewery/town for it with tappings, etc.

 

FOMO, bro! FOMO!

Plus it trades best in those first few days.

 

Think there's FOMO with KBS? Just wait until December...

 

If they did a CBS Week and sold tickets online, we'd probably be looking at the internet breaking.

 

Would there be any complaints with purchasing tickets on CBS for these 12oz & 750 sets? I kid.

 

I've gone up to KBS day most of the last decade or so. I agree it's more just because it's fun to go than anything else. It's a nice excuse to spend a day hanging out at Founders & Hopcat and it means I don't have to chase for it at liquor stores, deal with bottle limits, and the like. I expect KBS to be more and more available given Founders' expansion(s), but I'll probably keep heading up there if I can grab a ticket.

 

Hopefully, like @jnrjr79 said, the expansion brings more KBS to market this year. Otherwise, for the SE MI people, a ticket is the best way to get multiple bottles. Too many single bottle limits and holds for regulars to amass anywhere near what Founders offers direct.

 

Just say FIB like the rest of us...

 

Yeah, I can't account for the crazy/bad distribution you guys get back there. Hopefully you get more this year. Otherwise, come to Chicago the weekend it hits and you'll eventually get so much you won't want to buy anymore!

Well, I have never explicitly seen what that stands for, so....I guess I won't do that. I will say Chicagoan - that extra long term was probably used by @stevegoz because I'm guessing he's from the burbs (which probably fits the FIB term based on the I portion), so I just went with it.

 

That one is only going to be in 12 oz bottles.

 

I don't know if the expansion houses KBS? Isn't their thing "cave aged?" Unless the expansion included more underground space I would assume they would keep KBS underground as they always have. Just an observation.

 

General question. My wife and I had been planning a weekend getaway that weekend with our 9 month old and were leaning towards the Dells. Is there enough family and child friendly stuff to do in Grand Rapids so I can try to convince her to go their instead?

 

GR has plenty of family friendly things to do, but a 9 month old? What do you need? It's been awhile since I had a 9 month old, but I don't remember them needing much.

 

My understanding is that they age more than just KBS in the caves. Therefore, if they move some of the other beers to their new facility, that provides room for more KBS in the caves.