GA Backwoods

All the clowns from NC probably drove down there and hoarded it.

 

Picked up a couple 4-packs today.

Green's on Buford got it in yesterday -- they kept it in the back. They had three 4-packs left today. I got one.

Toco Giant down N. Druid Hills got a case in today. I got the first 4-pack, but they planned to split the rest of the case into singles and keep'em behind the counter.

Tower got theirs yesterday, but I couldn't find any when I went by around noon. They either had it in the back or it came in after I left. Either way, probably a safe bet that it's gone by now.

Seems like Backwoods is even more limited this year. Last year it at least sat around on shelves for a week or two. This year, stores are getting extremely limited quantities and not even putting them out on the shelves. I guess I might as well start requesting favors now to see if I can get some KBS in March. I missed out entirely last year, and only got one 4-pack the year before. The first year Founders was in GA, KBS sat around for weeks. I remember a big stack at Tower a full month after the release. Pisses me off.

 

I have heard a report of it being a "behind the counter" beer in Atlanta this year, and available now. I feel like this stayed around for a while last year...

 

You're right on all counts. Everywhere I know of has had it behind the counter -- some even splitting it into singles. Frustrating. I remember it staying on the shelves at Greens for at least a couple weeks last year.

If Backwoods is like this, what's gonna happen with KBS? Are they going to pour the bottles into 2oz mini shot-size growlers?

I think Founders is just stretching themselves a bit too thin. They're in more markets now than they've ever been. If I recall correctly, they're supposed to be expanding production, and I THOUGHT that we were going to see an increase in KBR this year because of it. If this year's Backwoods allocation is any indication, though, I guess we should start preparing ourselves for disappointment. Hopefully this Backwoods batch just predated the expansion, and we'll see a lot more KBS. But I doubt it.

 

Yeah, definitely a shortage of Backwoods in Georgia this year. Last year my store got 8 cases, this year we'll be getting 3. Wasn't sure at first if it was just us or state-wide, but this thread pretty much confirms that not much came into Georgia this year.

 

oops, my bad

 

I got a 4 pack of it tonight. Plant to grab one more this week if it's still around. Some places haven't gotten it yet, and I distinctly remember it sitting in cooler for a few weeks last year easily.

It doesn't have me leery about the KBS situation. I got 1- 4 pack last year by luck chance. Feel like I need to start getting beers to trade for KBS, if thats gonna be the case.

 

That's not the case this year unfortunately. If you see it and want it, buy it. Georgia has definitely received much less.

Also, for those curious, I had a Twitter convo with Founders yesterday regarding Backwoods and KBS:

 

Got the last 4 pack at Crabapple bottle. They got 1 case and they gave two of those to one guy....

Definitely seems like we got a lot less this year. I bought multiple 4 packs last year without a problem.

KBS is probably going to be impossible. I lucked into 1 bottle last year....

 

Getting some on Tuesday. Come by and ask me about it.

 

Why would you expand production and sales at the same time? Am I looking at this skewed way of business incorrect? If you can't support your markets demand and you expand your production, shouldn't you make sure that your new production lines can support your current markets before expanding to new ones?
Sweetwater Brewing Company was 24th on the list for top 50 craft breweries in 2011. Founders was 42. Difference is, Sweetwater was only available in 5 States. Founders was available in 19 states. Why is this you ask? Because they make sure they're markets that have supported them for these 15 years are stocked with their products before opening to new markets. Not only that but when there limited releases come out it's the people that support their products that get first pick.
I'm not saying that SW is better than Founders by anymeans. I enjoy the hell out of all the good beer from Founders all the time. And I enjoy a lot of their beers more than SW's. What I am saying is if you want more people to try your awesome beer slow your role and take your time and appreciate your die hard fans by letting them get first pick at your specialties.

Edit - here's the link for the stats
http://thefullpint.com/beer-news/brewers-association-releases-top-50-breweries-in-2011/

 

brad, I completely agree with you. But the alternative would probably mean that Founders wouldn't distribute to Georgia. So you gotta ask yourself -- would I rather Founders be a pain in the ass to find (distributed, but limited), or absolutely impossible to find (not distributed)?

They both suck, but I'll take the former.

 

Agreed. I was just venting, sorry.

 

GA just seems to get the short end of the stick on a lot of releases. I am originally from Northern Virginia where Founders is plentiful, but over the years the special releases have become a lot more scarce. Although more scarce, it is still significantly more easy to come across a special release up there. I have nearly given up on trying to source some of these releases in GA and more rely on either trading on here, or getting a buddy of mine to pick up some outside DC.

 

Oh you know I got you a 4pk set aside Kmccabe33. Stop by next time you get a minute there are a few thing you might be interested in.

 

Thanks a ton Brad, I'll give you a call this weekend, my bad about 2 weekends ago, work/travel is killing me slowly. Few beers somewhere Sunday night?

 

I can see both sides.. If they are going to expand their production, I can't see why not expand the footprint to allow more people to experience outside of the "stomping grounds".

GA isn't exactly stomping with Founders, and they are one of my favorite breweries, period. I had a blast at their taproom the other week when I was up that way for business. I wish we had something like that set up in GA. It would be one of the most sought after places to hang out after work during the week. A true hangout.

Anyways- I'm happy to have some of their offerings other than none. As for GA, I'd wish some of our local breweries would step back a bit from their "bread and butter" and give some new stuff a shot. Sweetwater makes good beer, but they rarely go out of their comfort zone and come out with someone people want to seek out. Their 15th was AWESOME.. Terrapin is the only larger brewery that really gets fun and comes out with some sought after shit. SW tosses some lackluster shit like their octoberfest in the dank tank and expects locals to flock to it. In the same arguement, why expand out when you can't even sell out your allotment locally.