I will be visiting MD for thanksgiving (near BWI) from northwest Indiana. I will be missing the BCBC Chicago black Friday release, and was wondering if this is distributed to MD for black Friday as well. I'm just looking to get some of the regulars since I know the variants will be almost impossible. Luckily I won the rare day lottery, so I will get a chance to try that. Does anyone have info on where/how the release is handled?
Last year a bunch of places in MD sold it early, I got a couple 4 packs on my way up to PA on wednesday afternoon. I got it at Total Wine in Laurel, MD and The Perfect Pour. Both are near Baltimore.
It's released Black Friday-ish. Last year was BCBS and BCBW only - no Coffee or Vanilla Rye at all. Max's had a keg of Coffee on Black Friday, but that was it. This is a very poor area for BCBS hunting relative to the area population (and especially compared to Chicago).
If you want more variety, go into DC. Check with the DC locals (not me), but last year Whole Foods P Street did growler fills of Vanilla Rye. Their beer guy is gone, so things may be different this year, but if you know where to go in DC, the BCBS hunting is better.
It's a free for all on black friday. I'd try your luck at perfect pour, and total wine in laurel. Anywhere else is unlikely that they will get more than one case and immediately sell out.
I think this year i am going to try just one store and then go to Max's taphouse and just enjoy it on draft instead of driving to 5 stores.
Are variants released in DC/MD? Im debating pushing back my visit to xmas instead, lol...I know I can get a variant or two in Chi on Black Friday.
Prior to last year we did, but last year we didn't get any Coffee or Vanilla Rye. Hopefully we don't get the shaft again this year.
