Odd question about purchasing DFH 120 minute IPA

[mookow]

I live in Ohio, and sadly my state does not allow us to buy any beer over 12% ABV. I would like, however, to try some DFH 120 minute IPA. With that said, my uncle is getting married late next month, and I will be driving down to the service in South Carolina. My route passes through West VA, VA, and NC. One of my friends thinks that VA doesnt have any limits on the ABV % of beer sold there.

So, my questions are:
-Can I buy DFH 120 Minute IPA in Virginia?
-If so, how much would it run me per case? (I've got several friends who want to try it, as well)
-Where would the best place to buy it be, considering I will be travelling on I-71?

According to DFH's website, the next release of DFH 120 Minute will be on October 1st of this year. I am hoping it hasnt sold out by the 26th or so (which is when I'll be travelling). I'll be travelling home on Nov 2nd or 3rd, so hopefully I can snag some DFH World Wide Stout on my way back.

[zoom6zoom]

120 is usually available in Virginia. With their recent expansion, DFH brews have been a bit over extended and harder to get locally. If you can track down a location that has it, it would be a good idea to call and have them hold some for you.

I've never seen 120 in cases (although it must come in them), all I've ever seen on the shelf are 4-packs. It is pricey - I've seen it at $10/12 oz bottle.

I-71 doesn't run through Virginia.

[HarkJohnny]

not sure where you are in Ohio, but The Party Source across the river in Newport, KY stocks the 60 and 90 minute... they may have the 120 as well, but never looked for it expressly.

[Derekt2]

Take this with a grain of salt (but note it's coming from someone who drinks a lot of high gravity brews but also hates most barleywines), I think that the 120, and especially the WWS are massively overhyped. The 60 Min is good, the 90 is okay, but the 120 just isn't that interesting. It is very malty, quite bitter, but not all that hoppy due to the way it is made. Frankly, their Old School Barleywine is better. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy it -- definitely try it -- but I wouldn't even consider buying a case of it w/o making darn sure you will like it. How will you come through Virginia? There are several places in the metro area that will have one if not both (and plan on droping $20 on one bottle of each, btw).

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by HarkJohnny
not sure where you are in Ohio, but The Party Source across the river in Newport, KY stocks the 60 and 90 minute... they may have the 120 as well, but never looked for it expressly.

I've been to that store. Great selection. Go up the hill a bit and enjoy some Hofbrau at Hofbrau Haus while you are at it.


I agree with Derek. You might want to try some before investing in 24 bottles.

[Katefan00]

I can tell you that Chevy Chase liquors in DC carries the 120 minute, but last time I was there (this past weekend), they were out of it. They have the 90 and 60, though. Cases of the 90 minute are $60 and cases of the 60 are $30.

K.

(If you miss it coming through, you can always get one of us to mail you a few when they come back in.)

[mookow]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I've been to that store. Great selection. Go up the hill a bit and enjoy some Hofbrau at Hofbrau Haus while you are at it.


I agree with Derek. You might want to try some before investing in 24 bottles.

I've been to the Party Source before (picked up a couple of gallons of Everclear back in my college days), but I dont get down near 'Natti very often.

As for the quantity I am looking at, my boss also owns a specialty beverage store that is attached to the tavern. He's got quite a collection of beer in his personal cellar. He said he'll take a full case of DFH 120M if I could get it, and maybe more than one depending on cost (I still dont think I've gotten through to him about how much it's going to be). There is a customer that I know from the bar (Nate) that wants a case if I can get him one. I may end up getting something like two cases. One for my boss, one half for me, and the other half for Nate. I'm sure my boss plans to drink some, cellar some, and pass some around to his friends. I plan to drink some and cellar the rest. Even if I personally decide I dont like the DFH 120M, I'll still want to cellar 6+ to see how it ages, and I can pass the rest off to friends and family as gifts.

[Katefan00]

Well, with the 60 running at $30, the 90 at $60, then you're probably looking at around $90/case for the 120 minute, retail.

K

[chazwicke]

I spent 100.00 a case for some Old Dominion very limited edition beer a year or so ago. They only made a small batch and it was only available at the brewpub.

[Katefan00]

Have you had a chance to try the Dominion Oktoberfest yet, chaz?

k

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I spent 100.00 a case for some Old Dominion very limited edition beer a year or so ago. They only made a small batch and it was only available at the brewpub.

Let me guess. The Oak Aged Millenium?

[chazwicke]

You got it!

[mookow]

On the question of price: What is my best option to try and get this as cheap as possible? I'm already going to ask my boss if he can talk to the DFH distributor he buys from and see if he can convince them to talk to another distributor in VA (my route is down I-77, not I-71 as I previously posted). It's a long shot, but maybe they'll be willing to do it for a long standing customer such as my boss.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by mookow
On the question of price: What is my best option to try and get this as cheap as possible? I'm already going to ask my boss if he can talk to the DFH distributor he buys from and see if he can convince them to talk to another distributor in VA (my route is down I-77, not I-71 as I previously posted). It's a long shot, but maybe they'll be willing to do it for a long standing customer such as my boss.

Buy in bulk. Other than that - ask for a discount. Though, unless the store is really looking to move a beer out the door, why should they give additional discounts to a person just passing through. A loyal customer? Understandable. But to basically a tourist? Don't bet on it. Again, can't hurt to ask.

Also, why would a distributor in VA cut their profit to someone they don't know? What do they get out of the deal?

Craft beer is more expensive for a reason. Better ingredients, smaller batches, etc. And beers like 120 Minute IPA use an insane amount of those better, more expensive ingredients and take up tank $pace longer than your average IPA. Most craft beer is fairly priced, if not underpriced. I have no problem with a discount and look for them myself, but you have to ask yourself how badly you want this beer and whether you can really afford it by the case?

Best of luck.

[Derekt2]

And here in VA, btw, we have some unusual laws, regs actually, that deal with how beer moves and at what cost. You may not have any idea how unlikely a VA distributor will be to do anyone a favor. Not trying to break your bubble, just forewarn you. Hopefully ymmv.

[mookow]

Originally posted by newportstorm
Buy in bulk. Other than that - ask for a discount. Though, unless the store is really looking to move a beer out the door, why should they give additional discounts to a person just passing through. A loyal customer? Understandable. But to basically a tourist? Don't bet on it. Again, can't hurt to ask.

Also, why would a distributor in VA cut their profit to someone they don't know? What do they get out of the deal?

Craft beer is more expensive for a reason. Better ingredients, smaller batches, etc. And beers like 120 Minute IPA use an insane amount of those better, more expensive ingredients and take up tank $pace longer than your average IPA. Most craft beer is fairly priced, if not underpriced. I have no problem with a discount and look for them myself, but you have to ask yourself how badly you want this beer and whether you can really afford it by the case?

Best of luck.

I dont expect the DFH distributor in VA to cut a deal to my boss directly. But maybe the DFH distributor here can call in a favor on behalf of my boss and get the one in VA to sell it at wholesale or at least cheaper when buying by the case. Like I said, it's a long shot but worth trying. It all depends on how closely the DFH distributors work with each other. At a minimum though, I expect I can a list of stores near I-77 that buy DFH 120M from the VA DFH distibutor.

And I know craft beer is more expensive. I buy plenty of good, heavier beers (from Stone, Great Lakes, etc) all the time, and expect them to cost more than BMC because they are worth more than BMC. But if I can find a way to save $20+ on a single case of beer, I'm going to try it.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by newportstorm
[B]
Craft beer is more expensive for a reason. Better ingredients, smaller batches, etc. And beers like 120 Minute IPA use an insane amount of those better, more expensive ingredients and take up tank $pace longer than your average IPA. Most craft beer is fairly priced, if not underpriced. /B]


Agreed! Once again I'll state that price usually does not factor into my beer purchasing. I realize that the product is more costly to produce and market. I don't mind spending the extra $$ for quality. That goes for anything I buy. You get what you pay for.

[Jim Dorsch]

120 typically runs about $9/btl, in the vicinity of $200/cs.

As was pointed out in a recent business article (in what magazine? I don't recall.), DFH purposely produces less than demand dictates, hence you're not likely to find any killer discounts.

[Derekt2]

Hi Jim,

Q: will you have a hand in the beer inventory coming to the new Whole Foods in Fairfax? I live near the one in Reston and frequently have to drive into your old Vienna store because the Reston one is just too plain in terms of selection.

[Jim Dorsch]

Each store has its own beer buyer, so I'll have nothing to do with the beer selection at that store, unless someone asks me to help, which I don't think is likely.

[Derekt2]

Each store has its own beer buyer, so I'll have nothing to do with the beer selection at that store, unless someone asks me to help, which I don't think is likely.

CAN YOU HELP US?

[Jim Dorsch]

Heh, I was talking (as you know) about someone in the company asking!

BTW, I expect the folks at the Reston store (or any other good retailer) would be happy to order something for you if you sought something specific. Or perhaps you enjoy scanning the shelves and plucking a few fun things as the mood strikes.

(I'm having problems quoting. I clicked on 'quote' and it showed up as HTML in my post, before editing ...)

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by Jim Dorsch

(I'm having problems quoting. I clicked on 'quote' and it showed up as HTML in my post, before editing ...)

The quote tags and all show up so that you can edit inside the quote if you'd like.

Just put the cursor at the end of the quote, hit return a couple times and type.

[chazwicke]

Hello Jim and Welcome!!! I supped some of the Spaten I picked up at your store yesterday (Annandale) when I got back to my office. Glad you posted and welcome to the board. Your knowlege and expertise will be appreciated here.

[kinjar]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Glad you posted and welcome to the board. Your knowlege and expertise will be appreciated here.

Agreed! I used to get email updates on beer news from the Vienna store. Is there anything like that going on for the Annandale store?

Also - last time I was at OD, they said they'll be another batch of the Millenium Oak this year (discussed earlier in the thread).

[Jim Dorsch]

Thanks all.

I haven't started an email list at the Annandale store because I don't have as much to talk about as I did at Vienna. I suppose I could go ahead anyway if it was useful.

[chazwicke]

Do you still have the list from Vienna? I'm certain that most folks would be interested in wht is available in Annandale too. I'll bet many would come over to Annandale too.

[fretlessman71]

http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&postid=101169#post101169

;)

[Soontobepcv]

Jim,

Do you have any knowledge about the size and selection of the upcoming (Old Town Alexandria) store's beer selection?

Not that we really need any more variety, with Rick's up the street it's almost overload...

Thanks!

[Jim Dorsch]

I know how much space I'll have, but haven't determined the set.

Originally posted by Soontobepcv
Jim,

Do you have any knowledge about the size and selection of the upcoming (Old Town Alexandria) store's beer selection?

Not that we really need any more variety, with Rick's up the street it's almost overload...

Thanks!

[AxlLives]

From what my sources tell me, the next batch of 120 won't be available for at least another month... The best bet is to find it at a less traveled store (!) and be prepared to shell out at least $150/case... In the meantime, try to track down the Raison d'Extra...

[fretlessman71]

At $9.49/bottle around here, $150/case is a bargain at just over six bucks per! Guess you'd really have to love the 120 to do this, eh? Wonder how well it ages...

[AxlLives]

The going rate is anywhere from $6.99 to $7.99... Supply is such an issue that I suppose one could pretty much charge what they want for a time... I've seen the cork finished 750mL from a few years back but haven't tasted it... My guess is that it is sturdy...

[fretlessman71]

I'm guessing there's quite a premium on beers that big that make it this far away from the source, eh?

[Derekt2]

This reminds me of a Public Enemeny line: "Don't believe the hype..."

If you want something like that w/o the hassle why not go with the Old School Bwine?

[AxlLives]

True dat... But that too is scarce in the area right now... Speaking of scarce, do you know where can I pick up Stone's beer in NVA?

[Derekt2]

Norm's and Whole Foods in Vienna have, or have had Old School recently -- I saw it just the other week. TB may also have it.

Both stores and several others should have Stone beers which are pretty easy to get.

[chazwicke]

Plus Norms newsletter from yesterday says they are expecting a delivery of more Raison de Extra today.

[Insidious Rex]

I just bought a bottle of 120 from there this past weekend. They are only selling them as singles though. Wont sell a case. They might order one though. Who knows.

[zoom6zoom]

Yeah, I recently picked up both Stone 9th Anniversary and their Smoked Porter at Norm's.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
I just bought a bottle of 120 from there this past weekend. They are only selling them as singles though. Wont sell a case. They might order one though. Who knows. And just how long would it take one to go through and ENTIRE CASE OF DFH 120 IPA? You'd be FUBAR for sure! :D

[D0nc0smic]

and slightly off topic, i plan on stopping by the brewpub on the third to buy a case of world wide stout, because while i agree that the the 120 minute ipa is a bit over rated, though i like it, i LOVE the last few worldwide stouts, and i know the new batch is released on the 1st, so hopefully they will have some there on the 3rd, as for what i will be doing in southeastern delaware on november 3rd? Getting there a day early for the annual Punkin chunkin championships of course!

[chazwicke]

Ahh the Punkin Chunkin! I might actually make that this year too. Last year I was at the beach but did not make it out for the PC. Perhaps next weekend.

[chazwicke]

Here is the Punkin Chunkin website:

http://www.punkinchunkin.com/main.htm

[D0nc0smic]

yea, i'll be staying in bethany, so its really not too much out of the way for me, just a left turn after the prison in georgetown really. I've never been before either, but from what i have heard its kinda anarchy out there, no alchohol is sold on the premises but other than that anything goes, one of the advantages of being held on private property i guess. i'll definately be there, with a few lawn chairs and a cooler.

[chazwicke]

I have a place in Ocean City so it is not far either. We'll likely be there or Urbanna Oyster festival

http://www.urbannaoysterfestival.com/

I have been to that one many times.


either of those
unless we get clearance to head up to Portland, Maine for the Maine Brewers Fest.