Parabola in Chicago

No problem, i'm happy to answer any and all beer business related questions to the best of my ability. An informed person is the best kind

The little guy is always fighting against the big guy, whether it's beer, food, wrenches, plumbers, etc. I feel the three tier system actually levels the playing field in ways you dont always see in other industries. I mentioned Belgium earlier, and that's a good example, but the UK is a better one: Breweries there own bars, and then only put their beers on tap at these bars. It's called a Tied House, and it all but ruined the consumer choice.

Another thing to think about is that with Craft beer, there are many "Craft" distributors (e.g those that dont carry Big 3 products), like Windy City Distribution here in Chicago or Duff Distribution down in Houston, as examples. They hire people that are excellent at selling beer because they CARE about the beer, and more often than not if you're seeing someone sampling beers at a festival, it's an employee of that brewery's distributor pouring for you.

And yes, there are distributor networks that are closely aligned with the Big Boys, and yes, they sometimes do shitty things. But in my experience, that's the exception, not the rule. And what's more, the business is changing. That kinda shit just doesnt fly anymore. The Miller house i deal with has pulled a complete 180 in the past 2 years. I used to despise dealing with them. But now they've gone the lengths to train their staff (even requiring Cicerone Certification for certain individuals) and have expanded their portfolio to include a LOT of Craft stuff. And they're getting more...Dogfish Head is switching from a "Craft" distributor to them, and mark my words, it wont be the last.

Why? Because of logistics. These distributors have spent their careers making money moving shit around quickly and efficiently. If we drop the three tier system, not only will thousands of jobs be lost, but who is going to do that? The breweries? They're millions in debt already just from expansions to keep up with volume, and now they have to buy a fleet of trucks, hire union guys with CDL's, etc? No way.

And beyond that, the reach. Some of these larger distributor networks span multiple states. That's huge for a brewer that wants his or her beer all over. Less contracts to sign, less deals to make.

I have so much more to say, but i need another beer and dinner is ready If you have any other questions, feel free to ask

 

I remember when Vav told everyone to calm down with the pre-Parabola release hype panic. Is it OK to pillage, loot and panic yet?

This is the one thing I will not miss about Chicago at the end of the summer: the shit show that is trying to get any beer. I will, however, miss the awesome bars.

 

Seeya! We won't miss you!

 

Neither I you, i guess?

 

I personally think the 3 tier system has its ups and downs, but the qualm i have is the mandatory system in place. The way it is regulated seems to artificially inflate prices. I'm not gonna speak against the 3-tier guy per se here, but my bigger qualm is with how they are regulated and the regulatory scheme against which beer is distributed as a whole. It's not 1912 anymore.

 

This is sorta my view on the subject as well. I more than see the utility of the system as it stands, but I'd prefer to see it voluntary rather than mandatory, thus allowing the breweries (no matter the size) that want to sidestep distributors to do so. That said, I am friggin' LOVING the rigoddamndiculous variety I see popping up around the Chicagoland area. Booyakasha!

 

Hell ya. Chicago has such a nice distribution network. It's just a shame it's difficult to land any beer that's once a year :/

 

That's the nature of the culture here, not the three tier system. There are still shelf whales (King Henry, BCBS, etc.) in New York because craft beer isn't near as big as it here.

 

Just throwing this out there... and I am not going to mention any particular place. I have talked to several different employees for different liquor stores in the Chicago land area (and I'm sure this happens elsewhere). But these employees have made comments that they will purposely withhold releasing information because they try to ensure that they acquire the release first. One store's employee even confessed that the store received a shipment in a week prior to actually shelving the beer just to ensure that all employees had "first dibs".

(If this was already mentioned previously, I apologize for the repeat)

 

Working at a beer store has its perks. I would do the same thing if I ran a beer store. One bottle to each employee, then whats left goes to my top customers. For limited releases obviously.

 

I don't see anything wrong with this. Many employees would likely choose to forgo rare beer releases anyway. As long as they are not allowing them to buy up as many bottles as they would like leaving none for the public

 

Not a great way to run a business. Say you only get a case of something. You give out 6 bottles to your employees. That leaves 6 for customers and you are then singling out your 6 best. Kind of an elitist model that shuts out the little guys.

 

So the people that work there are always screwed out of getting the beer they may love? Maybe it shouldn't be held for them, but they know when it comes in so they can either just buy one themselves or send someone to get it for them. They should not be off limits from getting any just because they know when it will be there

 

How did we get off topic here?

 

Exactly. It should not be held and they can wait in line or send in someone when the store announces it's release. Otherwise it's like insider trading. There has to be an equal playing field for all. I'm not saying it's off limits at all.
Now yes let me get off my socialist-like rant and back on topic. Anyone call Grand Binny's?

 

Because the actual subject of this topic, for all intents and purposes, does not exist right now.

Yes I did. They said it was canceled, again. They are now hoping for Thursday

 

I hope it keeps getting pushed back right up until next weekend. Then I can swoop in from Ohio and buy all of your usual spots out!

But for reals though, I thought I remembered seeing somewhere that FW made 36K bottles this year, so it really shouldn't be too much of a problem to find, right? I know last year I was able to score a couple bottles a couple weeks after it hit the shelves.

 

Oh jesus, sometimes I love living on the south side...

 

Did it hit somewhere on the south side?

 

Yes, but they might be all out (Kimbark Beverage Shoppe).