OBSERVATIONS - Black Friday - Houston

Once you realize its just beer, and there will be other releases, then more releases after that, Black Friday and chasing/waiting in line for hours just seem stupid. It is the fear of missing out syndrome, and eventually you get over it, or at least I have. I am wondering when the BBQ crowd will figure this out as well

 

I'm right there with ya.

Only beer I, ooohed over was Bells Black Note, because I've never had it. Not a huge sour fan so the Cantilloon, and beers of the like, really do nothing for me. It' true the SA DR and BB series don't draw the big rush anymore. They are now easily obtainable. Agree with the Abyss bottles.

Another observation is the Houston market has had an explosion of new limited release beers,over the past 5 years now that, the rush and gotta have it has died off. We all remember the 1st BCBS release and rush for it. Along with KBS and the previously mentioned SA limited release beers. Same with Karbach FUN series. Now we can walk in to most quality stores on release day and grab a bottle or 2 at our leisure. We are in good times. JMO

 

I am with you 100%. None of the Bourbon County variants (except Prop) have overwhelmingly positive reviews this year and I knew that going into Black Friday. Went to HEB on W Alabama at 6:00 and walked out with my half-case at 7:00. The real reason went that early was to pick up some of the other brews they had available (BA Pumpkinator and BA Ten Fidy).

 

I rolled out at 10 and hit 3 stores and got what I wanted, a couple of barleys, one coffee & northwood and 3 regular, that is pretty much what I set out to get. I didn't stumble upon any BA 1050, which would like to find, but no great loss. What I really wanted was the BA Victory at Sea, so can only hope Total Wine gets some here in Houston, as I doubt that Specs will get more. I really have a hard time dragging more beer at home without putting a dent in what I have.

 

I agree with everything said in this thread, especially the variants. I'm in Austin. I was out of town for Thanksgiving and Black Friday, came back this week, walked into Whole Foods downtown for lunch and picked up a case of regular, 4 barleywines and a coffee. Not motivated to look for Northwoods or trade for the other variants.

Of course all of this will change when they bring back Vanilla.

 

Plenty of coffee?? I'll be in the austin area this weekend.

 

This past week, yes. Not really anymore though.

 

I bought a 4 pack of BA victory at sea, it didn't move me at all. I expected more from a base beer with such a great pedigree, the vanilla tasted artificial.

 

The Houston market is saturated, like icetrauma said it's great times for the consumer. I can drive minutes from my house right now and buy as much Prairie bomb as I wish, remember when bomb was first released, cases would be gone in minutes.

Specs downtown Black Friday was done really well, I bought enough barrel aged stouts to get me through the winter. It's worth the effort and the wait to me.

 

This is/was my first BF in/near Houston. I purposefully didn't go to Spec's downtown because I heard and read they start lining up Thanksgiving, much like at Binny's next to GI in Chicago. Wasn't down for that, so I took a risk and stuck to my area in The Woodlands. I've never seen BCBS more readily available 1+ weeks after BF. It's easy to come by. I was at the Total Wine in Galleria and found 10+ cases over this past weekend at no limit. I'll never need to run around or wake up early as long as I live here.

Scored 3 Northwoods and 3 Barleywines as far as variants, along with Black Crack (haven't tried yet), Tweak, BA1050, BBA Pumpkinator. Had '13 BBA Pumkinator from Saint Arnold last weekend and it was, while pretty sweet, drinking very well.

Manager guy at Spec's told me CBS would be available Wednesday (tomorrow). Not worried about its availability after BF and BCBS.