Retail Madness

Definitely, just wish it was in a better format. Should have clarified in my post that the can/bottle NH pack IPA market is wide open.

 

I refuse to wait in line and love good beer. I've more or less entirely stopped buying large format beers. The only ones I buy are special occasion/shareable beers for when people come over. Not $8 pale ales. Trillium, which I feel makes some great beer, lost me once the newness wore off. Sometimes I just want a single 12 oz beer. I don't like being forced into consuming multiple beers b/c that's the only way to get them.

The bomber market sucks and isn't going to come roaring back. Multiple breweries have seen the light on this and package their flagships in consumer friendlier formats and keep the big, pain in the ass buys for their special/seasonal releases. If Trillium is banking on the bomber market being sustainable for them, best of luck - I just don't see it being viable long term if they aren't planning on expanding their distribution footprint (a la MBC & Stoneface with their horrible package decisions).

 

There is a such thing as too much choice in a store

 

I was at Julio's today and was shocked how much Trillium they had in the cooler. On the flip side I've been there before recently and they've had nothing. I think it's just the ebb and flow or buying habits - but I assure you those bottles won't sit there for 6 weeks ....

 

Drinking local in Vermont? In Southern VT we are lucky to get 14 Star and Lost Nation. Two pretty good, but not great breweries.

 

I am too lazy to wait in line and too cheap to pay $10-12 for 750ml of beer. I have been finding my purchase habits primarily retail. I search for fresh 12-16oz cans. My most recent purchases have been Down the Road 7th Star, Whirlpool, Dr Nandu, Be Hoppy, Wannamango, and Beerito. There are so many options lately. TH and Trillium are still tops for me, but lately I have not dedicated my time or money.

 

Man, what is it about people from New Hampshire?

Anyway, I was delighted when my local store across the street from my apartment got Trillium. But like other posters said, a lot of those 750ml aren't selling and are quickly getting pretty old.

I have purchased Night Shift's canned offerings consistently for a year or two now, but the past month or two has really elevated their IPAs to be the "A-" to Tree House's "A+". With easy to read canning dates and consistent delivery of fresh product every week or two, I really am growing to appreciate Night Shift and really enjoy visiting their space.

That being said, if Trillium gets Congress Street and Fort Point into 16oz cans in the next 2 years then all bets are off.

 

Seriously. My eyes were bulging at the thought that I somehow missed them last time I was in Mass.

 

Been said multiple times here but there are definitely "old" Trillium IPAs in Boston stores. I just saw some from late March yesterday. Even though it may taste fine there is no way I am going to pay 11.95 for something I could overpay a little less for much fresher at the brewery by taking a walk up the street on a workday or a quick drive on the weekend. I love Trillium beers but don't see myself ever buying them again at a retail location. I barely can justify paying those prices at the brewery.

 

Just imagine how much this thread may change once that little brewery in Charlton opens.

 

Trillium stuff does stay well for a long time. But I'd rather buy it fresh and drink it when I want to, rather than buying a bottle aleady 1-3mo old

Mentioned earlier about NS and JA. But Night Shift has been killing it on both shipments and quality. Whirlpool, Santilli, and The 87 are as good as any top rated hoppy beer. And always fresh in the stores I frequent. Furth, Trifecta, and Awake are all unique and very good. Then you add in a rotating hop beer Morph. IMO they are the best brewery going now.

Also can't beat fresh and dated on the outside of the box Hoponious Union canned 12 packs.

 

Whirlpool and Awake are very good. The Morph series and Santilli are average to me for the style. The bunch of times I've had Santilli it has been inconsistent. The first time I bought it I thought it was great but I haven't had a batch like it since.

Im not saying everyone is making these hoppy beers consistently but the most off batch I've had of some Trillium 'Street' IPA is better than the best batch of Santilli I've had.

 

Our distribution is very poor compared to all surrounding states, though it's improving especially with Jacks Abby coming on board.

 

Do they have dates on the 12-pack can boxes? I bought one last week and couldn't find it. Got home and beers were two months old. NBD, still tasty that far out, but looked and didn't find a date outside.

 

They started dating the boxes sometime in April: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/dating-on-new-jacks-abby-cans.380636/#post-4663480

 

They didn't at first. And me saying it was ridiculous they didn't got me a "lol whoops, whatever we'll fix it eventually" from the brewery and incredible vitriol from other people on this forum.

Oh well, this Night Shift is drinking great

 

Sweet. Thanks.

 

You're and agent of change.

 

Well, if you can get over the lack of groveling, they date the boxes now. And they're 50% cheaper than NSB.