Craft Beer Advent Calendar Thread

Well - read my comment about freshness of import beer above... This applies to almost all imported beer in western Canada.

 

Yeah I read that, and it's certainly understandable.

I was trying to quantify the 'old' beer issue. On average, I don't think it really made much difference... but there were a few bad apples, and for some people that spoiled the whole bunch (negativity bias).

It terms of the selection of brews, the Craft Beer Advents previously averaged 3.5 and 3.6 here on BA. Which is respectable, but perhaps not what the Beer Geeks desire.

 

@ChristianFinz, from a colleague: "For Day1 of the craft beer advent calendar, how come some people got Nogne Ø God Advent and others got Nogne Ø Tindved?" Mixup when packaging?

 

A friend of mine had a beer from New Zealand.

 

Wow. Wonder what happened.

 

He also got something different to everyone else for day 2...

 

I've heard it thru the grapevine that Sobeys outlets (in Edmonton, at least), chose the beers for their own versions of the Craft Advent calendar, so that it was differentiated from the ones sold elsewhere? Any truth to this?

 

It 's $155.00 this year,for what 24 beers. I picked it up last year was not really impressed had only North American beers.

 

Yeah all truth All teasing aside bought the Kensington Wine Market Whisky Calendar the drams have been insane so far.

 

This year we had an insane amount of freight damage on the inbound beers. The package was printed, so we needed "quickly" another 5,200 bottles of norwegian beer in 250mL bottles (which as a great coincidence, was almost the same amount as BC Calendars ordered). So we decided to get the Tindved, which was quickly available from the brewery, as a replacement for the God Advent for BC.

Unfortunately all re-packaging is done by hand by specially hired warehouse staff. It happens on two assembly lines with 12 people each. Mistakes happen at the assembly line - we're all human, especially if a different staff member is at a different spot every day, which unfortunately happens. We (or the warehouse) cannot check each of the 21,000 assembled calendars - that would not be time efficient, we would need an extra month or two to assemble then.
We calculate with about 1.5% to 2% of misplaced products in the Calendar - this is unfortunately the the standard of a project of that magnitude. In the past two years we were way below that - somewhat in the 0.3% range - I expect it to be roughly the same this year.

Yes, I've heard that too, not overly concerned, as I believe Sobeys put's their own together from stock that they already carry. I haven't seen any of these yet, so I can't tell for sure.

 

I really liked the Tinved and today's as well. (I started a day early so it'd be a complete surprise... but I won't spoil it for anyone here).

 

I've been enjoying the Parallel 49 / Central City one, but I haven't been drinking them in order. I took them all out of the box and put them in the fridge as soon as I got it home. How do you folks have room to keep a two four chilled??

 

I've been drinking them in order and haven't been terribly impressed about the value yet... The beers (save 1) have been pretty plain jane / regulars. But heck, it's nice to have a new different beers each day...

Don't tell me what's in the box, but assure me that it's worth it.

 

How was the Krampus Speciale? That one caught my eye when someone posted about it in CBD-W on Facebook as I'm a fan of the style. However, I couldn't help wonder if it wasn't an "accidently" made sour batch...

 

There have been a few humdrum beers so far in the CC/P49 pack, but I honestly expected that. I appreciate the diversity of beers more than anything. It's fun to try a lot of these normal beers that I wouldn't have otherwise bought a 6-pack of for whatever reason (not gonna buy a 6er of CC White or P49 Old Boy). Today's selection, Toques of Hazard, is a doozy of a white IPA. It's also nice to not have to try some of these heavier brews in bomber size. Anything over 9% is more suited as a 12 oz bottle for a single serving, IMO.

 

Wait. what, are you saying any and all issues with the beers are only the fault of the brewers (that you represent)? Once you order the beer it is actually your beer, not the brewer's... Do the breweries, that entrusted you to represent them professionally, know you are playing the 'I'm just the messenger' card? If it isn't working out, and brewery images are being tarnished due to old beer (at no fault of your own of course for initiating the project in the first place) why do you continue to make the calendar?

 

Wrong calendar Ted! I got Lloyd to bring me a Central City one it for ½ the price of this one! Now that Phillips & CC/P49 are putting out calendars across Western Canada I would think there will be some pressure to drop the price of the other one next year...

 

Looked at the first four beers from the CC/49 calendar no thanks looks like a waste of cash. Don't like Phillips enough to buy an over priced 24 of beers that I have had before. As to the Craft Beer Calendar so far it looks better than past years......... insert your own comment.

Enjoying the hell out of the Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendar.

 

Haha, I don't know what you've had so far and not been happy with, so I don't know how I can do that! There are some ordinary beers in there that are available year-round. There are also some special beers in there, including a CC-P49 collaboration. That one might have been the most exciting of what I've had so far.

Agreed! Well, except for the not going to buy a 6er of Old Boy part... I've currently got a six-pack of Old Boy in my fridge. I had Toques of Hazard last year, so it's not super new and exciting to me, but it's still a good beer.

 

Actuallty that's correct. This is "product liability". Producers select what they want to send - not us!

We have no influence on the brewing process, so yes, it tis the breweries responsibility, we are "just" the warehouse - we do not touch the beer or produce it, nor do we have the ability to modify the product (except re-packaging).
Yes, once we order the beer, it becomes ours, however product liability is always with the producer, never the wholesaler/retailer. Unless it expires in our warehouse, then it is our responsibility.