2020 BCBS Release (Black Friday)

I won't say BCBS/Black Friday has Jumped the Shark for everyone....but I've moved on.

 

I've heard rumblings from my sales rep of not much package arriving to MA for this year, because the state in general sales go down and down. Doesn't help with covid and bars not being able to go through inventory of Goose Island or AA Busch products.

Also I think Lulu's in Allston, usually get solid offerings of BCBC draft pours.

 

Gotta wonder if they're doing outdoor seating in late November still...hopefully!

 

I'd have to imagine they brewers a similar amount to 2019's release since that would have been started before covid hit. Seems pretty stupid to limit the amount we receive because of the covid impact, but it's AB so who knows.

I for one still enjoy it so hopefully the regular version is still easy to come by.

 

Does anyone know which varieties are able to hit the shelves for off premise sales in New England? I’ve never actually been 100% of that. But I have purchased a number of varieties here.

 

I'm feeling stoddards loss pretty hard. Their black wednesday celebration was a great way to try some vintage and new editions of BCBS that i would normally never be able to buy off the shelves. I'm also hoping hugh o'niells has some on tap since it's a lot closer to where i live now. I'd gladly sit outside in the cold with some BCBS to warm me up. Who knows, maybe it wont be that cold considering the recent weather.

 

From what I heard, the Kentucky Fog, Coffee Maple and Caramel Apple Wheatwine will see the widest distro.

 

I'll be hitting by usual spots for bottles - |I don't usually get a hall pass to go anywhere for pours, (though if I happen to be out somewhere and see it...)
I'll most likely just grab a few regular ones, though the wheatwine might be interesting, and the coffee / maple one sounds good. |It also depends what the pricing is for those varients - $25 a bottle these days is tougher to swallow than usual - and I usually pass on the higher priced ones.
|I know a shop that still has a few '18s kicking around - though |I| have plenty of that in my cellar/

 

Well, pours of 12%+ stouts can help keep you warm!

 

Right you are!

Five Horses Tavern usual has some BCBS on as well, and possibly variants.

I think their sister restaurant Warden Hall does as well, which means Elm Street Tap Room likely will have something then.

Elm Street just announced they installed a new air purifying system that will “filter out 99.4% of pathogens”. So that’s something to possibly entice you if you’re inclined to do indoor dining.

 

Anyone see it being released early anywhere? I'm already seeing local reviews of this years.

 

Looks like Fort Point put out BCBS and the Caramella for online shoppers.

 

Star Market in Allston has #4, London Fog, Caramella, and 2020 regular as well as Cafe de Olla, Mon Cheri, and 2018 and 2019 regular. $16 for regular any year, and $30 for variants. Caramella I think was $24.

 

That place is usually overpriced. Regular was $15 and Caramella was $18 at Fort Point.

 

Yeah last year regular was $20 so nice to see it down to $16.

 

I always find it strange that BCBS lasts so long on shelves in MA, where in CT, it’s largely gone within a week of BF

 

More stores typically overprice all the BCBS and sit on their shelves, especially the ones that their craft beer selection is just Jack's Abby, Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada and Kona.

But eyes open if anybody knows any bars pouring these just to try.

 

It's fair to say that Regular BCBS sits around for a while in MA, largely because Joe Blow doesn't know Goose Island when he walks into the local Kappys and isn't going to drop $100+ on a 12-pack of a barrel aged stout. However, most of the variants are snapped up on Black Friday or shortly after.

 

Anyone know of places in RI that get any sort of allotment for the variants typically?