Westvleteren "Bricks"

I think it also depends on the laws of the state, some places don't allow single bottle sales (those 12oz or smaller).

 

Didn't the recent press release say that retailers would only be getting the bricks if they promised not to break them up?

Also, I don't think this will be as crazy as KBS. It's probably not as well known (shocking as that might be to us, I'm betting a lot more Americans know of KBS than Westvleteren), and at an MSRP of $85 for 6 bottles, it's one hell of a lot more expensive. I believe that's above the threshold a lot of people said they'd have in the previous threads on this, and those are beer geeks.

So while it'll probably be somewhat nuts to get these things, I don't think it's going to be "camping out in front of stores for days" nuts.

 

If Shelton says "Intact or you lose our accounts", they'll stay intact.

 

Yes, and people never break promises.

 

I am on the "list" for one of these at my local shop, had no idea it was going to be $85....but that doesn't sway me from wanting it. But if they do break up the pack I'd just buy a couple bottles.

 

Shrug, I think that's beside the point. If Shelton (and the other distributor) want to get Westvleteren next time this happens (and they do), they'll do whatever they can to make sure their wishes are met. It's not like they want for accounts, if some retailer gets this then makes the news for flaunting the Abbey's wishes, they'll just get replaced. Or, they would if I were running it.

From the other end, what's in it for a retailer to break them up? "Spread the love", but who cares? They'll make money either way and piss people off either way. Add in the threat of missing out on the next one (or other Shelton specialties) and I doubt anyone wants the risk. Charging more than $85, sure that'll probably happen. But I don't see who's going to break them up, just because there's no motive to.

 

Does anybody know where the bricks will go? Is there any chance any they will get out of the big markets and into smaller towns?

 

I think that they should obviously respect the direction of the monks. However if breaking down each box could lead to revenues of ~$140 ($20 per bottle plus $10 per glass) over $85 I wouldn't be surprised to see these broken down, especially at smaller shops.

I think it would be very difficult to enforce the "no breakdown" policy.

On another note, is this a one-time-only offer? Is this only being done to finance the new abbey, and after this year, will they go back to business as usual, or do you think this is going to be an annual event?

 

Didn't see this before

Should make it somewhat easy to grab a brick or two

 

As someone who recently acquired a 'brick' from overseas for a reasonable price, do not expect the chalices to be of good quality.

They are very rinky dink and fragile. I'm almost scared to hold them. They also are smaller than one would expect. It's a glass that I'm happy to add to my collection but don't expect it to be of the quality of the actual 'old' style Westvleteren or any thick stemmed sturdy Trappist chalice.

I only hope do god they didn't similarly cheapen the production of the beer to accommodate the huge increase in production required to do this.

 

15,000 divided by say 40 different states is only 375 per state. Likely they'll go to the largest markets, but I'd bet they wont get any more than 20 - 40 for the largest stores with each of the smaller stores getting much less.

I'd bet these are gone in Chicago in 24 hours if they're not broken up.

 

Still a ton better odds then when I thought we'd only be seeing 7700

 

You're in the know for CA. Any chance we will see some?

Cheers!

 

Shelton is only covering those states East of the Mississippi, minus IL. The remaining states are being covered by Manneken Imports.

 

When my brick arrived it didn't take long for me to break it up and send a few bottles to various UK BA locations. Gratis of course. Kept the two dainty glasses though.

 

15,000 is an awful lot of these coming in with a very high price tag. I have no doubt they'll sell, but I'm not so sure they'll sell at a KBS type of clip. Plus, $85 is only the MSRP - the MSRP of KBS is also $5 bottle, and think of how few stores around the country sell that for $5/bottle. Or Utopias at $159 that gets sold for $200+ in many places. Color me surprised if the average store isn't $100 on this, with plenty being $120+. (Which is still below the black market cost)

Also, in addition to the 15,000 coming into the US, lots of people have already imported the bricks over the last few months. And then there are plenty of people who have had Westy and aren't exactly getting excited over the prospect of paying $100 for 6 bottles of it.

One more final point - the influx of these combined with the necessary 6-bottle purchase should absolutely flood the trade market and make Westy way easier than it has ever been to trade for. That alone will keep many traders from buying if they can trade for a bottle at $15 of reasonable beers vs the $25/rare stuff it currently takes.

So, regardless of whether stores break them up or not, I do think there will be plenty to go around.

 

I think retailers should respect the original intent and sell them as a whole, but if laws permit, I would guess that many retailers will break the packs up. I do not expect any store to have a problem selling them, either as a set or individually. Having had Westy 12 multiple times though, I definitely will not be one of the people buying the set at $85+.