KBS Week 2017

Because most Meijer or grocery stores aren't going to equipped to handle a beer release. I doubt most will ever be able to handle a beer release properly... that is not how their stores are setup or work. Allocating employees to sit there and guard / sell one particular product is a waste of resources. I had heard that founders was requiring the 1 pack limit, otherwise I would assume most of the stores would have just put it out and let it sell. As some eventually said "screw it" and did just that.

I would account the misinformation to the employees were probably being told this was being sold (the cashier for the self checkout line I went to knew about it) but not that it had already sold out. So you call customer service, you get a "yes" because to them it would be crazy if a random beer sold out in a day (insert weird looks from people who aren't into beer here) but then you get there and it is gone. Obviously the beer guy knew, but I am guessing that is not who you talked to.

For what it is. I would say kudos to Meijer for at least all having KBS, putting up signs and informing people, and selling it at a particular time. For a grocery store, I'd say that is pretty good for a beer release.

 

On one hand there are many store managers sitting there cringing and saying, "I have to dedicate a resource to this for half a day, are you fucking kidding me? We make the same amount of money either way."

The other side is saying, "We could gain some customers from this, our beer prices are competitive."

Personally I think the former is probably right, but I'm glad we're experiencing more structure in limited releases at the big box stores. I just wish they publicized it better.

 

I am seeing a trend toward all specialty releases from the larger Michigan brewers (Founders/Bells) going to the larger stores. Obviously these stores sell more product and are rewarded with more of the specialty items but lately at a cost of the small specialty beer stores receiving less or none at all. These smaller stores were the first to give these brewers shelf space and are now being tossed aside because they don't sell or order enough core beers. Good luck becoming recognized as a regular or befriending the beer guy at Meijer.

I think KBS is a good beer but $25 for a four pack has finally reached my value/$ threshold, especially if I will be required to hunt for it.

 

Chains are the new battleground and AB is really pushing back against the surge of craft hitting Meijer, Kroger...etc. From what I'm being told, AB is already taking back shelf space. I was told last week by a local brewery rep that any email exchanges between him and a couple of certain chains have to be copied to a couple people who are technically AB employees. Sounds shady as shit but that's how it was explained to me. If it keeps up, at some point you will see the same sets of beers in every chain store and guess who is going to get pushed out.

Fine by me, they can have the chains. Independent is where its at.

 

Chains, especially Meijer account for a huge portion of a distributors (or brands) over all sales. The chains move slow and that is why you see them trying to catch up (slowly). You can see with KBS a coordinated attempt over multiple distributors to release a limited beer. This was previously not on their radar, but as the alcohol department sees significant annual gains ( because of craft) versus other departments it becomes a focal point. There are many other nuances like trade dollars, Ads, etc that play a part. Bottom line, chains are usually late to the game but when they come, they can dominate if they want to.

 

In 24 hours we went from "KBS IS EVERYWHERE!! FUCK KBS WEEK!!" to "I BOUGHT THE LAST 15 CASES AT MEIJER!!" and "This sucks my bottle shop got 1 case".

I'll stick to KBS week, thanks.

 

This was the first time most Meijers have had KBS especially in the Kazoo area..... My store we do not have a dedicated beer guy in our craft section...Quite a few stores do though, which the system for Meijer was based on for KBS release....

I can guarantee you are correct on why when other BAs called they got the "Yes" answers and none when they arrived...

One reason that after about 45 min/hour they said screw it....Hard for management(who were the ones doing the KBS) to rationalize having someone standing there for protecting beer while there are needs elsewhere in the store....I was glad to see it though...Usually I have to rush around after I get out of work for this type of beer release....

 

8 Degrees Plato went on sale at 2:00 today with a 2 4-pk limit. My girlfriend went at 2:20 and it was gone.

 

I used to pick KBS at Mega Bev in Battle Creek as they would usually do a release a week or two after the initial rush. They would divvy up there allotment evenly between everyone who was there. Sometimes you would get two other times six or more. This year it was just a mass tweet of come and get it. I hope to scrounge up 1 bottle this year to try, because I do like it, but I won't be upset if I miss out either.

 

The difference in taste is very noticeable & I pointed that out in this thread over a week ago...before any release occurred.
Koz obviously noticed as well as he mentions the difference in barrel presence in the freep article posted above

 

I'd hope the brewmaster of a particular beer would be able to pick up on flavor differences of his own creation. I'm not arguing that the flavor varies slightly from year to year, I'm simply saying that the difference isn't as vast as people are making it sound.

 

I agree. After all these reports of a lack of barrel presence, I was interested to see for myself.

I opened one last night to share with the wife and thought it was fantastic. It may be a touch more coffee forward than in previous years, but there is no mistaking this beer for anything other than KBS.

 

I've never thought KBS had very much bourbon character. Compared to something like Bourbon County, which is very bourbon-y, KBS has very little. Always has, IMO.

 

I'm pretty sure the Davison Meijer is the only Meijer in the state of Michigan to NEVER get any Michigan craft outside of Two Hearted.

 

mega bev has the 750 ml and Tiffany's had both 4 pack and big bottles as of this morning.

 

Those are in Kalamazoo

 

So has anyone heard of when Binny's gets their allocation? If on par with what was announced, Saturday should be the day. Would love for it to be then at 9 a.m. But I haven't heard anything confirmed.

 

Has KBS been at Chicago area Meijer's in previous years?

 

yeah i'm pretty sure Binny's will have it saturday

 

Binny's Grand will be selling on Saturday, April 1.