Twin Cities Bottle Hunt - 2018

Looks like most pla

I think its all relative. It will go fast for a $20 bottle of beer especially with the quantity it is produced at now vs something like the $20 So Happens Its Tuesday that had to be liquidated at 80% off list price.

 

I'm really hoping this is the year that $20+ bombers of Darkness sit on shelves for so long Surly finally realizes that most beer drinkers don't want to buy a $20+ bomber of a non-BA RIS.

I love Darkness but I wish for the day when it is available in a 12oz or 16oz format.

 

I'll be purchasing my allotment of Darkness bombers, but with that being said I rarely buy anything in that format these days, ba or not. 5 years ago just about every bottle shared with friends came out of a bomber, now it's less that 15% of the time. A lot more crowlers now, which is basically the same, except generally local, fresh and not purchased from a liqour store.

 

You're not wrong. Bombers and 750mL bottles have largely gone the way of the dodo on the past few years. In fact, as of now, Darkness and Barrel-Aged Darkness will be the only bottles we do going forward.
Next year, we're going to experiment with doing some big stouts and non-sour BA beers in smaller can formats. For Darkness... it's hard to think about messing with the Darkness format.
Darkness is one of the beers that made Surly famous, and still one of the most sought-after beers we produce. It's a scary thing to change something that's been working for you... The "if it ain't broke" school of thought.
We'll let our fans tell us what they want. If bottles stop working for folks, we'll adapt and change as needed.

This is good feedback, though, and I appreciate the comments.

-Bill

 

Thanks for the thoughtful response Bill. I completely understand how Darkness is famous as a bomber with great original art work and keeping that good thing going. Going to a new format or even lowering it's price would cut into the profit margins so I can understand not changing formats until necessary.

It's great news that Surly is moving away from bombers besides Darkness! I'll keep dreaming of Darkness coming someday in a can.

 

Just so it's on record, not that it matters, there are plenty of folks who do love the bomber format. I'm one of those who are anti-can. Don't like the way stouts taste from a can. Also don't like sitting on cans for years.

Those who like something tend to not saying anything at a very disproportionate rate to those who don't.

 

Even if we're anti-can, would love to see breweries keep moving to the smaller formats whenever possible. Off Color in Chicago is releasing a bunch of their high-octane beers in 250ml glass bottle 4-packs. The price per ounce is probably going up a bit, but it is a great option and a much more approachable format for a weeknight / non-share situation. Probably doesn't make sense for Surly though as I don't think they've ever bottled in a small format and probably don't have the equipment set up to do so. And gotta say, it would be kind of weird to see classics like Darkness or Dark Lord in small bottles.

I'll have to try aging some stouts in cans and do a side-by-side. The past year is the first where I actually put some canned stuff in the cellar - i hadn't considered that it might not work out that well. I heard Prairie Bomb! is moving to cans, having had that a zillion times it will be a good comparison.

Anyway, the artwork on Darkness is great as always this year. Might have to pick up a bottle if they aren't sold out everywhere.

 

You probably won't have to worry about that. They make a ton of it. I know that I live in a fairly rural area, but I still had 2017 Darkness on the shelf at my local grocery store last week.

 

Went to TW in Maple Grove for Darkness and limit is 1. On the plus side, they had Todd with the can date of 10/16, haven't seen it that fresh in years. Had to grab a couple 4pks.

 

Just to counter this, popped in to the Total Wine in Bloomington little over a hour ago, limit 4 bottles per person. Either they got a lot or they just don't want to deal with the hoards after work tonight.

 

I'm surprised to see such tight limits some places this year. Princeton's just got it in per Facebook. 2 per person.

I just got some at Lake wine. They had several cases with no limit.

 

Grabbed 10/4 Todd at TW Roseville and I thought that was fresh for Todd! Surrounded by stacks of 8/22 Todd cans tho..

 

the old... perceived limited supply = increased demand.

 

its like this every year, limits in place for a day or two, then once it floods the market, limits are dropped.

 

Darkness at East lake liquor. No limit @19.95

 

Costco has it for $16.49.

Counted 40+ cases of Darkness at Total Wine Maple Grove as of 4pm.

 

Wont be buying a bottle Standard Darkness this year,will have it on tap a few times then im good to go, i see no need to put one in the cellar.

 

Any place putting limits on this is only losing money at this point. I am in the not buying bottles crowd, but will gladly have a few glasses on tap at the bars. It's a great beer and always will be, but I can't dome a $20+ bomber solo and I have enough old bottles to go through still. I understand keeping darkness in bombers, but until it is formatted similarly to 6 pack expedition stout for $15-$18 I can't justify it. For those of you that love expedition, 2015 is drinking near perfectly fight now.

 

Which Costco did u see it at if u don’t mind?

 

Abso-effing-lutely. There are so many great imperial stouts out there that can be had for $10-18 per 4 or 6 pack. Narwahl, expedition stout, plead the fifth to name a few. Can't justify$20/bomber for me.