Is this a shelf beer or something more limited? I recently got one in trade and was very happy with it. Just was not on my radar and more sounds good. Also more specifically is the 2010 a harder to come by beer due to the age and the special sticker? I just didn't want to offer shelf to start and get a bunch of BMs and have to start over with another thread or anything. Cheers!
Riserva hasn't ever been too tough to trade for. No hype behind it, either in terms of the brewery or the specific beer. I would guess off-the-shelf brews wouldn't do it, but limited/sought-after locals might well do the trick. The 2010 might be more difficult just because there's bound to be fewer of them around, & people who have them are specifically holding onto them - & not for trade bait, since they don't trade for much. Good luck, it's a really good beer.
If I wasn't about to drop a substantial amount of money shipping a BIF box, I would be willing to hook you up with a couple bottles. If you find that you are still looking for a bottle or 2 (or 3) in about a month, let me know and I can take care of you. Would just be looking for the type of limited/sought-after locals that maximum referenced. Unfortunately, I have no 2010 to send your way.
Thanks for the info. The 2011 I had was really enjoyable and would love to have the 2010 burn my stomach up!
One more note on the 2010 specifically - A decent amount of this was sold right at the brewery, but it still saw some local distribution (SEPA, NJ) unlike some of their other sours. I remember going to the release and then was surprised to see it at a local shop a couple months later back home in Jersey. Also, this was when you still had to buy a full case of everything at Weyerbacher, so there were plenty of guys taking home full or half cases. Happy trading!
Riserva ('11 and '12 right now) is a routine shelf beer around here. And I'm pretty sure I know where there's some '10 on the shelf, but top-shelf in a gas station for a couple years might not be best cellar conditions.
Found a bottle of the 2010 on the shelf in Charlottesville back in December... Haven't opened it yet but reading this thread makes me excited for when i do.
It's still on the shelves here and there, it was insanely sour, I sent out a half dozen in trade, bought out my local supply just to send to the sourhead traders I know. Should still be around though, I'm sure somebody could help you out.
I'm not really in a position to send out more boxes other than the ones I send to a regular trading partner, but I think I can grab a 10' from a shelf locally. If I can track it down, I'll grab it and hold onto it. Basic locals of things I've never had would certainly get this done with me.
I am hand delivering a 2010 Riserva to the OP on Friday. As a member of the Cavity Creeps, I want to destroy his tooth enamel.
I poured Riserva at the last Boston Belgian Beer Fest - Night of the Funk - and would describe it as "exploding in your mouth"! At the time I wasn't big on the funk, but have come around to really appreciate it, and Riserva is basically at the top of the list. I was likely pouring 2011. Since then, I've bought several 2010 bottles for my own stash and don't recall seeing any 2011 (although maybe I did and drank it already), and still see the 2010 batch for sale in the Boston area - one place has marked it down from ~$21 to $15 so I may get another couple if they last. Looking forward to the next batch! Cheers!
Riserva is definitely an underrated sour, and as such it sits around for a surprisingly long time. As people have been saying, '10 is still on shelves, though I wasn't as impressed. It lacked subtlety, and was just like drinking red wine vinegar. Otherwise, yeah, shelf special releases should get it done. Prices seem to range from 16-25
i really liked riserva. there was a cache of '10 riserva at marty's big buys in allston, MA a few months ago. not sure if it's still there. agree with above; great batch, very sour. re: value, just have to find right person, right place right time. doubt there's lots of "hoarders" sitting on cases trying to drive up the value. the limiting thing is just people finding it.
