Chicago bottleshops and ZD availability

I'm curious about this as well. I have a sister visiting me from Wheeling, IL this weekend and she was kind enough to ask me if there was any beer I want her to bring to me. My first thought is Zombie Dust, but I don't know of any places to point her to. If anyone can help suggest some places, preferably near her, I'd appreciate it. She's also willing to drive around Chicago for some too.

 

your best bet to stock up on zombie dust is to just go to the brewery and buy cases of it. it's not that far out of chicago

 

Go to the source, FFF is about 45 min from city, if that, during non traffic hours.
$35 a case, cash, out the door.
You can find it in the city but its hit or miss as it is still a high demand beer and the prices will vary each place a 6 pack and some places limit to one (6 pack).

Anything else you want try Printers Row Wine Shop or your closest Binny's, preferably South Loop location.

 

I've heard of it showing up at some of the Binny's and at West Lakeview, but personally I've never seen it on a shelf in Chicago even once; FFF tends to move pretty quickly in the city. Your best bet is definitely to go to the brewery in Munster. It's maybe a 35-40 minute drive and you should be able to buy ZD by the case there.

 

Gotcha. That's what I assumed. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

Armanettis on Lincoln has good amount of it (now, both 6 packs and singles w/ mixed 6) and have been seeing at WLV almost every time there recently, but again jacked up prices.

 

edit: i decided not to be lazy and called for prices. Thanks again for your help.

 

i think both $11.99, one of them may be $12.99.
Not really a huge increase but you know

 

If it's in the stores, but in the back. You usually have to ask for it.

 

Vas Foremost on Milwaukke Ave. as of... ~20 minutes ago. $12.49/6-pack. No need to ask for it - it's in the cooler!

But more generally, if stores get Zombie Dust, they seem to get a fair amount of it. Whole Foods and Binny's seem to get plenty -- as do smaller stores like Vas Foremost, Noble Grape, West Lakeview, Puerto Rico... Hell, it's a bit of a backwards way to figure it out, but find a store that carries Pipeworks -- they will probably also be one of the stores to get Zombie Dust.

 

danimalarkey's post pretty much covered it...I've also seen Zombie Dust at Whole Foods (Kingsbury location) as recently as yesterday. As an aside, the $12.99 tag literally made me put it back on the shelf. Far from outrageous, but that extra $1 or so just tweaked me. They were also selling Lolita for $19.99. So yeah, it was a combination of the two factors.

 

i bought the lolita there a while back. a different whole foods had it for 14.99 unless it was a mistake wtf.

 

I have a friend who just bought 3 cases from a store here in the burbs for 50 each, he over paid by 15 a case and they don't taste fresh..at all.. I would def get them from the brewery 35 bucks out the door, and you know they are fresh...dont overpay and risk getting some "funky zd"

 

THIS. Seems to be more availability at the brewery as people realize that stocking up on ZD is not optimal (coupled with increased production by FFF). This beer is best when fresh, and with FFF doing a great job making sure enough is available at the Brewery, there really is no "need" to buy a bunch unless you plan on drinking a lot of it in a short time period.

 

"have been seeing at WLV almost every time there recently, but again jacked up prices."

How is $12.99/6 a jacked up price? That's pretty standard for the city. Not sure I've ever seen it cheaper. And really, if you're comparing it to brewery prices, I'm pretty sure there are some hefty taxes involved in Chicago, no?

 

So is it ALWAYS available at the brewery? I dont want to make the trip down there to find out they ran out. I suppose I could call in advance but I'm curious of the availability

 

Unfortunately, I've seen it for $13.99 at 2 northside liquor stores. Price gouging.

 

Seen it on shelves for 14.99 on the North Shore. Makes me laugh every time, knowing the stores makes nearly 100% profit on every case they sell.

 

I think you're assuming the wholesale cost to retailers is the same as what Three Floyds can charge at their brewery. You would be incorrect.

Of course, maybe stores are buying direct from Three Floyds and just putting it on their shelves. That would be beyond stupid and short-sighted for them to do.