BCBS once again coming to CA!

Did he say when he would have it in hand? I am curious if the news article is accurate for when we should see it hit the shelves in Cali.

 

Just because Freddy has it or gets it doesn't mean it was distributed to CA yet.

 

true, but he may have insight to when it will be distributed. I have asked several places that get goose island stuff and none of them have seen it available yet.

 

California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. (week of Nov. 27).

From the Chicago Tribune article on the release.

 

i'm pretty sure that article is where the realization it was coming back to CA originated. i'm also pretty certain most people that care saw the projected date. i could be wrong but i think what's being asked is whether anyone has local details that validate or differ from the specific date(s) the Tribune offered.

 

Oh yeah I forgot about the takeover. I have also heard not so pleasant things about AB procedures..one of which is Requesting payment upon delivery.

 

that and they usually request you to carry several mainstream AB distributed beers

 

Any chance you can quote an accurate source for that?

 

Me. I'm a receiver for a grocery store, so I work directly with vendors and distributors.

 

Decisions about how to set the shelves in a major grocery chain do not happen at the store level...save for a few facings for 'local options'. Goose Island BCBS isn't even on the radar of these stores.

 

I've heard rumors California will only be getting a limited number of kegs. Don't quote me (someone will) but this is just what I've heard from their rep a few weeks back. I don't mind a bunch of draft bcbs but bottles are better for aging.

 

Depends on the grocery chain. Luckily for my chain (Sprouts), we do have some flexibility. If our distributors have it, then we can pretty much put it on the shelf. We do this quite a bit and often special order things for customers (again as long as one of our distributors carry it). Myself and the other receiver for the store wanted to carry Sofie, but our AB rep told us we had to include several other AB beers for the one Goose Island offering. Also, this is not just my experience. Wes from Select Beer Store in Redondo Beach has wanted to carry Goose Island for a while but absolutely hates dealing with AB for this particular reason. BCBS definitely is not on the radar for 99% of stores in California, but Goose Island as a whole is quite appealing

 

What?? Nooo

 

I promise not to quote you, but I heard from a rep as well today that only kegs (10) are coming to S0-Cal. Those 10 are going to "GI" best customers. Rumors of course, but I has no hopes for bottles..this year.

 

Yea but I'll have lots of it down the street at Adam's Fine Wine and Liquor (assuming distribution doesn't get totally fucked).

 

Old Town Market in Old Orcutt. Check it out, and make sure to step into the beer box there are more items inside.
Edit: Also i talked to the goose island rep and he alluded to this release... Sounds like OTM might be getting some.

 

whether or not this stuff arrives locally doesn't concern me since I have family in the midwest to score me BCBS.

 

Yeah me too. It actually stuck around at bottle shops for several days. That makes me actually believe it when people say it's going to be relatively easy to score this year.