Ballast Point this Summer

Can't wait for access to VaS - one of my all-time faves...

 

This is really big. I just got back from San Francisco and went to the celebrated City Beer. When looking at the selection with an employee and local regular, I asked for one CA IPA to bring back to my hotel for the night. They were out of Pliny, and both without hesitation immediately recommended Sculpin as the best choice. I've had Dorado and it is fantastic too.

 

Anyone have any news on when this is happening?

 

Part of the Stone thing is probably because they are ridiculously overpriced in MN for some reason. And it isn't just in comparison to CA pricing. I did some price checking around the country and for some reason MN pricing on Stone products was $2 to $4 per unit, greater than any other markets that I checked across the US.

 

Personally, I like Big Eye even more than regular Sculpin, but what I really hope that we see out here are some of those casks of Habanero Sculpin! I have never been much for pepper beers, feeling that most seemed gimmicky, but this is one huge exception. The heat is high, but the balance of flavors is amazing!

 

it is summer, where are they?

 

For that matter, where is Green Flash? 1st Quarter of 2013 waved bye-bye before the last heavy snow...

 

I thought July. The day it arrives Sculpin immediately becomes my favorite IPA available in Minnesota. My big hope is that we get Firestone Walker someday. Double Jack bombers for $6-10 and Parabola for $16-20 would really shake things up in this market.

 

I was told today end of August or early September for Ballast Point in MN

 

I was curious about this, because I have not heard any news lately, and they originally announced July.

 

Anyone know if the Illinois launch proceeded as planned?

 

Quad Cities has it all around (IL side). Victory at Sea tends to leave the shelves fairly fast but everything else is easily obtainable. I usually check the shelves on IL side a couple days a week and at last check they had Victory, Tongue Buckler, Sculpin, Dorado, Big Eye, Calico, Sea Monster, and i think Yellowtail.

 

Did you see the dates on the Sculpin and Dorado? Was it available in bombers, cans, 12 oz bottles? Prices?

 

Didn't check any dates but i plan on heading over after work to see if Rubaeus hit the shelves yet. I can check some dates on those. Haven't seen any BP cans around here. Everything is 6-pack and bombers. Sculpin is $13.99 (give or take a $1 depending on store) for a sixer. Most of the BP bombers are similarly priced ...VaS is the only one i consistently buy and i know that is $8.99.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm hesitant to get too excited after realizing the Green Flash to WI meant January bottles on the shelves in Hudson in May.

 

$14 for a sixer? Ha.

 

Try it before you laugh. When fresh it is definately worth it. I seriously don't understand all the complaining about prices that goes on, on this site. Being a craft beer drinker is not a poor man's game. If you don't like the price don't pay it. $14 a sixer is less than $5 a bomber. I won't buy this all the time when we finally get it, but I will get it occasionally, especially if we see cans.

 

yep, thats pretty much what i say whenever i look at that one as well. too many other similar or better on the shelf for $5 less. Every once in a while they will slide some into a mix a six and i'll grab them but i still haven't bought a six of that.

 

I've had it (fresh) a number of times. It's a very good beer, for sure. But there's still a LOT of high quality IPAs still under $10. I'll get it every now and again but it won't be a mainstay in this guy's fridge.