Where's all the Two Hearted?

Its timing really but part of a larger supply/demand problem. The regional demand for Two Hearted exceeds the suppy by quite a bit. About a month ago one of my "local" distributors had two fresh cases of Two Hearted in stock, along with some Expedition Stout and a couple of variety cases. I went home to check my supply and space. Went back the next day to pick up a case of Two Hearted, and they were gone. Some out of staters visiting family had discovered that this distributor had Bell's in stock (by phone) and stopped in to buy every case of Bells in the store to take on back home with them.

If you can arrange to travel to MA with a short detour to the Whole Foods in King of Prussia, as of about the 20th they had six packs in stock for $12.

 

We are limited to 2 cases every order in the SE PA market... I order from Shangy's, the distributor, here about every 15 days... My 2 cases usually lasts less than 24 hours.

Draft is difficult, but actually easier than cases.

Like many breweries they are trying to get more production on-line and are running into troubles..(Or so I have been told)

Good Hunting

 

Last week i saw about 4 cases at Big Top Beverage here is the address an number if you want to give the a call
1555 Easton Rd, Roslyn, PA (215) 659-5445

 

Oh sorry i just saw you were from Lititz Pa. This is a bit out of the way for you.

 

I'm really surprised it's so hard to find. Last I was at Shangy's they had a damn pile of them. Although that is Shangy's.

 

That could why it is hard to find. They are supposed to distribute it to retailers. Does this ring a ... (sorry)

 

Well I mean it wasn't an insane pile, but they need to have some for people walking in.

 

I guess I'm not sure how a "damn pile" compares to an "insane pile".

 

It is the same in Northern VA. We are limited to ten cases per week when ordering and at least every other week it is out completely. Bell's simply can't keep up with demand. There are worse problems to have though...

 

Lol yeah true. I'd say about 15 cases.

 

They do distribute it to retailers. They are both an importing distributor and a retail distributor and so their retail outlet gets some for sale to the public, just like any other retailer does.

 

Two Hearted shortages have been an issue for a while. Not only was there a bit of a capacity issue but the tanks Bell's used for dry hopping were limited. With the opening of the new 200 bbl brew house these issues were addressed. The impact may not be felt immediately but moving forward there should be an appreciable increase in the supply.

 

Yes, I know they do distribute it. But, if they have ~15 cases while others have almost none, then it is not just like any other retailer.

 

Good point. They are not like most retail distributors. None of the places I shop in SEPA are regular beer destinations for people form Philly, many points in New Jersey or New York state who want to drive in there to buy cases of Bells beers and the other things to be found at Shangy's that aren't reliably found most other places.

 

If you feel like driving over to York, the Giant food store on E. Market St. has it.
They just started selling beer the other day so everything is fresh too.
Also, there is some in my fridge.

 

Was at Westys in Camp Hill yesterday and picked up a case bottled on 5-18. They had about 10 cases out.

 

Nothing new here, beating the dead horse...

But if one retailer is sitting on a damn, insane pile of 15 cases, that can help explain why that beer can't be found reliably at most other places. That goes back to the OP's question. I realize that some BAs like to plan a long trek to Shangy's for the "reliability". I don't think that is how distribution is supposed to work.

 

It isn't? Then how come Westy's in Camp Hill has 10 cases in stock? (sep post above yours).

Edit: Frankly, it's my understanding at the moment that distribution is supposed to work the way the importing distributor says it is supposed to work. The importing distributor allocates it to their retail accounts pretty much on the basis of who sells the most of which product, how much it costs to get it there, and sometimes even based on whether the retail account buys enough total cases of all beers handled by the importing distributor to make the truck delivery worth whil.