Bourbon County 2017

I think they should stick with the best allotments and lineup at LP. But some changes obviously need to be made.

1) There needs to be at least some staff on hand to guide the line and provide information.

2) A number should be given out upon arrival with a matching ticket given out at some random later time in the morning (to avoid people leaving). The number will help people be informed exactly of the situation and eliminate cutting. People will know 100% for sure when the line is almost full and they can stop showing up. They could update ticket # situation through social media to keep people from making an unnecessary trip.

3) I also agree with the suggestions of selling only full allotments for a few reasons. Might lead to a few less variant only friends in line. But more importantly, quicker checkout and no extra allotments or leftovers. No more doubts at the end of line. No ticket = no beer, but they will have the opportunity and time to try else where.

4) Vintage bottles: make it random tied into the official ticket. A mark/code/color on the ticket equates to specific variant. This will reduce motivation of people trying to be at the front. This may push back the point at which the line hits 50-100. I find once reports are out that line is that long, things begins to escalate quickly.

5) No drinking in line. Pre announce: If you are caught with an open container, you lose your right to buy allotment, your number will be taken away, and you are subject to arrest. And making it stop will again reduce the motivation of many people to line up overnight if they can't have a big post thanksgiving party. I like a good in line bottle share, this just seems like a bad place for it.

My prediction for next year is that they keep the line, slightly reduce the allocation, it will be 10 degrees overnight, they will still have tickets at 9:15, and everyone will be checked out before noon.

 

Technically they did have to issue a refund as the lawsuits that would have followed not only would have been more expensive across the board, but also would have given them a further black eye and bad publicity. Self preservation should not be taken as gracious act....


In regards to the Barleywine comments, I both agree that it is good, but it should not longer be considered BCBS, nor be a part of Black Friday. As this contains no BCBS anymore it should be renamed something else. They should then expand the barleywine line to be like the BCBS line. It would have a different release month with multiple variants. Coffee Barleywine, a fruited barleywine, a rye barleywine, Prop. Barleywine, etc.

Binnys should make everyone in line download a location app before the event to gauge when you got in line and how long you drifted out of line for. You would register your name and then there would be random inspections. You get a text and you have a few minutes to report in to the Binny's rep managing the line, if not, the app kicks you to the end of the line.

 

Up until 2009, they had the regular goose logo (I think 2005 and 2006 are even twist offs). In 09 and ‘10, they have just plain black caps. After that the 12oz bottles have Bourbon County Brand Stout caps. And now the 500ml bottles have a black and gold goose cap.

Fuck. That’s the same day. Ugh.

 

Anyone attempt beer temple today?

 

I wanted to, but I liked the idea of sleeping better lol

 

Beer Temple line wasn't bad. 2 Regular, 1 variant limit is reasonable for the crowd. It's very fair based on the amount of product they get. Spent just over an hour there and got the Coffee I really wanted. I'm happy with it. Place rules.

 

Does anyone know of a bar in the city where Reserve or Prop are being tapped today?

 

I also need to find prop on tap. Only bottle I didn't get, and not looking like I will get a bottle without trading my first born.

 

Jewel in Batavia on Randall has 15+ cases of regular on the floor if anyone needs any. $9.99 no limit.

 

I will trade you one for your second born. No one wants the first one anyway

 

Nah, you might be able to without having to give up all that. Just be like one of those people that low-balls the shit out of an offer and make sure to include things we can all find on store shelves right now. Here's an example:

"ISO: Prop 17
FT: Vanilla World Wide Sout (multiples)
Uncle Jacob's Stout
Judgement Day
BCBS '17 (multiples)
So Happens It's Tuesday
..more available

PM for ratios"

 

Decided against LP and went to ~5 Jewels and 4 Binnys, plus made a couple craigslist deals. Ended up with 16 reg, 8 ‘17 BW, 2 Northwoods, 2 cases of ‘16 BW, and a ‘16 Prop.

Beyond that though, easily the best part of the weekend was the Fulton taproom. Had everything but prop on draft, but the vintage bottles for onsite consumption at a FRACTION of the normal price was crazy. We made friends with some great people at the bar and all in all we spent about 4 hours there and had bottles of VR, ‘14 Prop, ‘16 Prop (amazing and idk why you people hate peppers when they’re covered in that much chocolate), and ‘15 Rare.

Also had tons of ‘17 Prop on draft Friday at Beerhead and I thought it was amazing. Feel like anyone saying otherwise may just be trolling to drive secondary down at this point.

In any event, we’ll be making the trip every year now.

 

It's called Bourbon County Brand Barleywine. It doesn't say Stout anywhere in the name.

Nobody asks for BCBSBW

 

I recall it being mentioned above that GI pushes/pushed LP being the event store fwiw.

 

I liked the '13 and '14 BCBBW a good bit more than the recent releases specifically because they were more 'stouty' after being in barrels where the stout once resided. But then again, that just confirms that I'm not really a big barleywine fan and that I preferred that beer to be closer to a stout in the first place. No biggie though. Now there's just more left for others that enjoy a true barleywine and I get to save a few extra dollars by not purchasing them.

 

Is it worth it to try Whole Foods this friday for variants? I’m mainly after prop., but I wouldn’t mind coffee or a NW. Is 6am early enough to score a couple bottles? Thanks in advance

 

I'd read carefully if the specific Whole Foods will allow you to buy multiple variants or if it's one. The Whole Foods I went to last year allowed for one variant, and you couldn't just go to the back of the line to grab another.

 

I’d say 6 should be early enough for a variant, but this year has certainly gone sideways somewhat. And, you should discuss specifically with your local WF about what they’re getting, etc.

 

If anyone is still looking for Barleywine, Park West on Lincoln has it. Reg also, but no other variants.
Hoping for some other drops/releases this week! Missed on Reserve and Northwoods. The hunt continues!

 

Also, WF is doing it the same day CBS is released. Will they be releasing CBS also? Who the fuck knows. Will that affect lines?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯