I have a friend visiting Austin in a few weeks. I was wondering if I could get a couple suggestions for some package stores in Austin that regularly have Jester King in stock, and maybe a few suggestions for specific beers regularly available. This friend is not a BA, and will not want to visit the brewery unfortunately, but is willing to hit a liquor store or 2 for me. I am open to any style.
East 1st Grocery, Central Market Westgate, various Whole Foods, HEB & Specs locations might have some of the stuff they've distributed recently (Gotlandsdricka, Snorkel, Mad Meg, Das Wunderkind, Petit Prince, Noble King, Ambree, etc). It just kinda depends on when your friend gets here. Some of the more out of the way Twin Liquors locations might have some older stock, but that's not necessarily a good thing. See also this thread and the many links aschwab posted. My personal favorites of the ones I've seen around are Gotlandsdricka, Commercial Suicide, and Petit Prince. Your best bet is to set up a trade or other arrangement if you're looking for certain beers in particular.
Fruited sours are only available at the brewery. Jesterking will post their bottle list on their website before the weekend (http://jesterkingbrewery.com/tasting-room/). Should updated today. Currently no fruited sours are available but Repose is available and is getting awesome reviews.
I know Jester King is only open on the weekends for tastings and bottle purchases, but does anyone know if they 'll sell you bottles at other times during the week? I'm going to be in Austin Sunday late through early Friday morning so I won't be in town while the tasting room is open. I really want to try to score some of their better bottles while I'm in town.
They have posted on BA that someone is typically around and willing to sell bottles to go during non tap room hours. Try calling the brewery to confirm though. @jesterkingbeer
They will allow some random people to - but mostly out of towners and not any of the limited stuff. It probably is not their favorite thing to do (as they are all working at brewing/bottling and nothing is set up to sell), but they do it. So, as someone else said, JK will likely respond to you.
FYI, we're currently having technical issues with uploading this week's tasting room menu onto our webpage. This week's menu is almost identical to last week's menu.
I thought I've seen them post before that they will allow it if you can get there before a certain time. I can't really remember though. I think I'll be staying close to an hour away, so it may not even be worth looking into.
As @aschwab mentioned, you should contact them directly if you are an out of towner and want to buy bottles during the week. They will help you but it would be best to contact them in advance.
