Inspired by the craft staples thread, I got to thinking of how tired I am hunting for beer. I think of all the beers I've hunted for, very few were ever actually worth the effort and $$. There are so many good beers that just sit on shelves all the time. Just next door to me the supermarket is selling Breakfast Stout 4pk for $8.99. I think I'm going to relax a bit and just stop the hunting and appreciate the awesome beers around me. Missed the BA Big Foot? Oh well. Didn't get to try BCBS this year? Always next year. Anyone else starting to feel this way?
Yea it was popping up everywhere. I saw it at wallgreens even. But generally probably not an easy beer to get for people outside the chicago metro area.
I am. I've been using the fact that the bottle shop where I'm stationed doesn't get too many whales in as an excuse to do just this. Doesn't mean I won't have my girlfriend back home hunt stuff down for me when she can, though haha. She scored me the BA Bigfoot.
I have been thinking this alot lately myself. I love trying new beers, and rare ones but its seems like a chore getting some. Especially when like the op said their is always great beer around.
I think like this all the time, but then I end up going to Bottleworks and spending $65 on two anniversary beers......shit!
Been feeling this way for the last year. Found myself getting pissed off each time something special would come out only to find out my area received damn near nothing and that little bit was all promised out to others. Then I realized I was beginning to turn my hobby into a chore and figured it was time to start enjoying all the great things on the shelf that I can get anytime and if I luck into something limited that was just a bonus. Besides these limited releases are really pushing the price point up to a level where I can enjoy a whole lot of common stuff compared to one bottle of limited. If it ever reaches a point where I no longer feel satisfied I will just move along to the next hobby.
I saw one BCBCS recently, packaged with a bottle of Juliet and going for $45. Considered it. Even brought the whole thing to the counter to ring out before deciding that $50 (after tax) will go to better use. I've had both before anyway.
I find an occasional hunt to be fun for something not too rare...and I love looking for local brews when I travel to bring home. But if I hunt more than that, then I feel I've lost my way and the point of beer advocacy. I'm lucky I live in an area where there are plenty of terrific beers on the shelf at all times.
I hear you. Since I've become more active on this site I've definitely engaged in a little whale hunting. I think I'm gonna go back to buying some more standard off the shelf beers for awhile. If I happen to stumble across a whale, then great. Also, FBS for $8.99? It's $16 here!
It's pretty readily available in Des Moines. I've even BCBCS in a few places recently. On topic....yes, chasing beers can be a chore. I really don't do it unless it's something I've never had (example recently....Naughty Temple or Transatlantique Kriek). I'd rather just grab a sixer of a go to beer (Two Hearted or Centennial IPA, etc.) and drink those for the most part. Usually way cheaper too!
I feel this way it is usually the hunt that makes it fun the beer is almost all the time not as good as the hunt
I'm new to this and although I can never see myself being a Whale Hunter, I have been trading for some stuff that I can't get in my area (BCBS, Black Note, etc.); however, that doesn't take away from my continual enjoyment of FBS, Ten Fiddy, ABT 12, and other beers that are always sitting on the shelves of my local bottle shop. Can't wait to try my first KBS, but if I don't get any this year, it won't bother me.
I should clarify one thing: I would literally hunt a killer whale with nothing but a knife in order to try Cherry Rye
Shelf walez (as defined in another thread about walez definitions) Its all perspective. Cantillon is no walez of mine because I couldn't care less about sours and the pinky finger beers. Yeah, I said it.
Nope, but then I never hunted. If one beached itself great, but I never joined the hunt. Minnows rule!
Starting to feel this way? I've always felt this way. I don't go out of my way for anything. I usually ask others to do it [not waiting in line but sending me something I can't get in my neck of the woods]. Sometimes I get what I ask for. Sometimes I don't. That's life in the big city.
I think most people get to a point where they really start to appreciate the old standbys and the nice session beers. Once you've been let down by a few of the biggest hyped whales you start to realize it's probably not worth the trouble alot of the time. Then again, sometimes you come across something like Zombie Dust...
One of the beers that made me think this. I tracked down and bought a case of ZD. Opened it up expecting epicness, got decentness. Don't pity me though, having a case of ZD has opened the doors to a great many trade opportunity.
Don't confuse whales for Flavor of the Week. If you start thinking of it like that, then you won't go jumping at every new release.
So tired of price gouging liquor stores. I saw a place selling 4pks of BCBS for $50. This wasn't even when it sold out everywhere, it was still for sale for $26 in every other shop.
The 4 packs of BCBS around here have been price reduced from $24.99 to $19.99 at all Hy-Vee stores recently. Don't like that beer enough to buy it even at that price. Will have a pour or two a year on tap, but that's about it.
First off, I am only about one year into the BA scene. I dont really want to argue what is and what isnt a whale. With the little expirence I currently have i am am slowly understanding how typically the over hyped beers or whales typically are not worth the hassle. At the same time the "hunt" is exciting, and the taste of something new is invigorating. I would also like to add that if BCBS or BCBCS is not a whale for you(and $ isnt a problem).....I would drink the shit out of it. it still blows me away everytime!
To each their own. I'll leave the whale hunting to Ahab, I'm a new member so there are plenty of shelf brews for me to easily hunt for that I can't get where I'm at. I like to try new things that I cannot get here in Chicago, not the rarest stuff in the country but that's just my choice. I can't complain because I have readily available fff, founders, bells and other quality beers I'd gladly drink daily rather than selling a kidney to obtain a whale. If I'm lucky I'll get to find stuff or find cool traders willing to help me, if not I'll crack a zd or a fbs and relax.
