Bell’s coming to VA and NC

[Chuckee]

Bell’s coming to VA and NC

From Larry Bell

http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/849298/?start=20

"I've got a plane ticket for NC to discuss dist. tomorrow.
We are also taking a license in VA.
Probably won't have a full lineup right away, but give us time and we'll get there.At this point we are talking weeks, not months."

[chazwicke]

:D Great News!!! Thx!!

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Great News!!! Thx!!

Don't hold back, Chaz. I know you meant to say: "EFFIN GREAT NEWS!" There, said it for you.:D

[TedE]

WOOHOO!!! Now I won't have to buy it by the case from the Beer Yard in Wayne, PA (not that having to buy cases of Bells is a bad thing). Here's hoping next summer brings a local supply of Oberon.

[ClockworkOrange]

That's great news for you guys! I just had a few Two Hearted Ale's last night. Keep an eye out for the Oberon mini keg next summer.

[chazwicke]

This from Dave Alexander:

You’re at the Brickskeller celebrating the return of Bell’s Beers to DC, having one of the NINE Bell’s beers now available at the Brick in bottle ( Amber, Best Brown, Cherry Stout, Kalamazoo Stout, Oberon, Pale Ale, Porter, Third Coast Old Ale, Two Hearted Ale !!!!!!) or perhaps you’re having a pint of Oberon FRESH FROM THE FRESH AS HECK KEG! Who knows. In any case, there’s a LOT of GREAT NEW BEERS IN DC THIS WEEK!!

[Mill Rat]

You lucky a-- bastards! I guess you're getting the benefit of our loss here in Illinois.

[kinjar]

I'll still drive up to Westy's in PA to get my Bell's fix - there's just no good beer places in PA (don't get me wrong, I love Norms in Vienna), but PA distributors seem to have so much more (and by the case).

[TedE]

Anybody seen Bell's for retail sale in VA yet? It'll be nice to see at the Brick, but I'd rather not have to go there for a fix. And isn't it a little late in the season to be trumpeting about a "fresh" keg of Oberon? I thought it was a true summer seasonal, unless popularity has convinced them to brew it year-round.

edit: Nevermind. The helpful brewing schedule chart on their site says that Oberon is produced through October. I do hope we get the mini-kegs, too. It was the perfect tailgate item when we were out in Big Ten country earlier this fall.

[Derekt2]

Hop and Wine in Springfield has it warehoused and ready for sale pending ABC approval. Sux to know it's there and not be able to buy it.

[ClockworkOrange]

A little something I threw together this morning for you guys in DC/VA/MD/NC: Here's wishing you all a happy thanksgiving!

[TedE]

Originally posted by Derekt2
Hop and Wine in Springfield has it warehoused and ready for sale pending ABC approval. Sux to know it's there and not be able to buy it.
Argh!! Would have been nice to have some for the UM-OSU game this weekend. If anybody spots any, please post and I'll run out to pick some up on Saturday!

[chazwicke]

I had heard on DC Beer, I think, That the Whole foods in DC already has it on sale.

[Derekt2]

Norm's will have them tomorrow (Friday the 17th).

[TedE]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I had heard on DC Beer, I think, That the Whole foods in DC already has it on sale.
Yeah, got that just after I posted the above :rolleyes:

I'll pick some up on the way home from work today. Bell's a mere 4 blocks from my house is a wonderful/dangerous thing ...

[kinjar]

Originally posted by Derekt2
Norm's will have them tomorrow (Friday the 17th).

Know what specifics they will have?

[MeridianFC]

I demand Bell's Cherry Stout. Stat!

[hooky]

I'm raising a two hearted right now in honor of your gain out there.

I'll drink a second with my blue cheese stuffed pork chops for millrat's loss.

[TedE]

Just picked up some Two Hearted at P St. Was looking for one of the beers guys to see if they knew what else they would be getting in, but none were to be found. They also had the Amber out. I see that Thor has a couple kegs in reserve as well.

[Chiliman101]

You will find more choices in D.C. than in Va right now. The distributor has a lot of different beers in and more coming in a few weeks but many are still going through the Va ABC approval process. Each different beer has to be approved, even those from the same brewery. I think there are only 4 or so available in VA as of this minute. Others will take a while

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by TedE
I see that Thor has a couple kegs in reserve as well.

I saw on DC Beer that Thor is leaving for PA any idea if he will be invoved in the beer scene up there?

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Chiliman101
You will find more choices in D.C. than in Va right now. The distributor has a lot of different beers in and more coming in a few weeks but many are still going through the Va ABC approval process. Each different beer has to be approved, even those from the same brewery. I think there are only 4 or so available in VA as of this minute. Others will take a while

I'd sure like to get a sixtel of the Two Hearted.

(BTW - Did you enjoy the football game?)

[Chiliman101]

they have Kalamazoo, Two Hearted, and the Porter in kegs right now (I think that's what he said, I stopped listening after he said Kalamzoo and I couldn't get it in VA yet). I don't remember Hop & Wine bringing in sixtels of anything in the past and I doubt they will here.

With that said they expect another shipment in the next week or two.

Game was great. Terrific seats!

Randy

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by Chiliman101
they have Kalamazoo, Two Hearted, and the Porter in kegs right now (I think that's what he said, I stopped listening after he said Kalamzoo and I couldn't get it in VA yet). I don't remember Hop & Wine bringing in sixtels of anything in the past and I doubt they will here.

With that said they expect another shipment in the next week or two.

Game was great. Terrific seats!

Randy

I believe Thor is leaving for Philly to be part of the beer scene there.

[Jim Dorsch]

I understand the rest of the stash is now available to NoVA retailers. Off the top of my head: Two Hearted, Cherry Stout, Kalamazoo Stout, Amber, Porter, Oberon, 3rd Coast Old Ale. It's early ... I might be forgetting something.

[TedE]

Originally posted by Jim Dorsch
I understand the rest of the stash is now available to NoVA retailers. Off the top of my head: Two Hearted, Cherry Stout, Kalamazoo Stout, Amber, Porter, Oberon, 3rd Coast Old Ale. It's early ... I might be forgetting something.
Excellent! I'm particularly interested if anyone has spotted the Porter or Oberon "in the wild". I might have to stock up on Oberon since it's the end of the season.

[hooky]

I've got a buddy in NoVa who hasn't seen any Bells yet. Can anyone give the name of a couple outlets that are carrying it now? I know zip about the area.

[Jim Dorsch]

We have 12 varieties at Whole Foods Market in Old Town Alexandria. I expect most of our stores have at least some of them, and my good friend Norm has Bell's in Vienna.

Originally posted by hooky
I've got a buddy in NoVa who hasn't seen any Bells yet. Can anyone give the name of a couple outlets that are carrying it now? I know zip about the area.

[hooky]

Thanks Jim.

[chazwicke]

Not certain but Total Wine probably has some of them too.

[Beefsteak]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Not certain but Total Wine probably has some of them too.
As of a a couple weeks ago, the Chantilly location didn't have any. Hopefully they'll have some in stock soon though.

[chazwicke]

My bro-in-law gave me a gift certificate for Total Wines as an Xmas gift. Although I live near the one in Chantilly I only get there a few times a year. I do drive right by the one in Fairfax City every morning and evening but usually don't stop there either. I prefer Whole Foods - I wish Jim's store had not moved so far from my office. But the new one in Fair Lakes is opening on the 17th.

[Beefsteak]

Originally posted by Beefsteak
As of a a couple weeks ago, the Chantilly location didn't have any. Hopefully they'll have some in stock soon though.

Just stopped by and picked up some Kalamazoo Stout. They had that, Amber Ale, Two Hearted Ale, and maybe a couple of others.

[pizzaandbrew]

We've got the Kalamazoo Stout, Dbl Cream Stout and Expedition Stout at Rustico in Alexandria. Any of the 270 bottles we carry we can walk out the door with to take home with you.
Chris

[TedE]

Has anybody spotted the Porter yet? I've only had my eye out in D.C. locations which seem to be carrying everything else.

[Jim Dorsch]

We have Bell's Porter at WFM Old Town Alexandria. Please contact me if you want to confirm availability. Or if we're not convenient, any store in DC or VA should be able to order it, since we all use the same wholesaler.

Originally posted by TedE
Has anybody spotted the Porter yet? I've only had my eye out in D.C. locations which seem to be carrying everything else.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by TedE
Has anybody spotted the Porter yet? I've only had my eye out in D.C. locations which seem to be carrying everything else.

Porter has been in VA since the initial release of the beers. FYI, it's the one Bell's product that isn't worth seeking out. Not that it isn't well made -- it is -- it's just, well, a porter. Of course YMMV.

[MeridianFC]

I got a sixer of Bell's Cherry Stout for the holidays but am unsure of where it was acquired other than it was in this area. I'll try to find out.

FWIW the only Bell's I've never cared for is the Java Stout, which has a faint green bell pepper taste. While I like green bell peppers I don't care for that taste in my beer. Pretty much everything else from Bell's is good to great (or beyond). The stouts are some of my favorites, Cherry, Rye, and Expedition leading the way (ha!).

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
I got a sixer of Bell's Cherry Stout for the holidays but am unsure of where it was acquired other than it was in this area. I'll try to find out.

FWIW the only Bell's I've never cared for is the Java Stout, which has a faint green bell pepper taste. While I like green bell peppers I don't care for that taste in my beer. Pretty much everything else from Bell's is good to great (or beyond). The stouts are some of my favorites, Cherry, Rye, and Expedition leading the way (ha!).

Hmm, never had the Rye Stout. Will have to look for.

[TedE]

Originally posted by Jim Dorsch
We have Bell's Porter at WFM Old Town Alexandria. Please contact me if you want to confirm availability. Or if we're not convenient, any store in DC or VA should be able to order it, since we all use the same wholesaler.
I'll ask at P St. They had a huge pyramid with Two Hearted, Third Coast, Kalamazoo, Cherry Stout, Winter Ale, Oberon, but no Porter. Given the absolute zoo that it is I try to keep my visits to a bare minimum, but will seek out the beer guy next time.

To the other point about the quality of Bell's Porter, it occupies a significant part of my personal beer history. At college in the Midwest in the early/mid 90s it was one of my first favorite "good" beers. I haven't had it in probably 5-6 years, but my taste memory tells me it's still my favorite American porter. I want to see if it still holds up, or if the recipe has changed significantly in the past decade or so.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by TedE
I'll ask at P St. They had a huge pyramid with Two Hearted, Third Coast, Kalamazoo, Cherry Stout, Winter Ale, Oberon, but no Porter. Given the absolute zoo that it is I try to keep my visits to a bare minimum, but will seek out the beer guy next time.

To the other point about the quality of Bell's Porter, it occupies a significant part of my personal beer history. At college in the Midwest in the early/mid 90s it was one of my first favorite "good" beers. I haven't had it in probably 5-6 years, but my taste memory tells me it's still my favorite American porter. I want to see if it still holds up, or if the recipe has changed significantly in the past decade or so.

No question the Porter is good quality, just not as interesting (imo only, of course) as a Stout w/licorice in it, etc.

[MeridianFC]

For those who care I've started seeing various Bell's products around DC. AB, Sherry's, and the newish paint shop at Florida & 18th. Seen Two Hearted, Porter, Brown Ale, and some others.

[chazwicke]

Larry Bell will be coming back to the Brickskeller in the upcoming months for a tasting. He is raiding his cellars to bring some fairly rare and special beers or so we were told last night at the Russian River / Allegash tasting. I'm soooo happy that most of the tastings have been moved back to the upstairs at the Bricks.
And The Williams Brothers (Yes the Williams from Scotland) Red Ale on Cask was mighty good too. Even if it was served a little too cold. It warmed nicely. The vintage JW Lees from the firkin at the tasting was pretty special too.

[Insidious Rex]

I was bummed I missed that but Ive been sick as a dog... Russian River is one of my favorite breweries too... Doesnt it always work that way?

Im looking forward to the Bells visit though. I heard last time he came he brought like 13 different stouts!

[chazwicke]

Dave A. assures us that Larry will be bringing some good stuff. Hope you are feeling better.