So, we had our second child in October, named him Brett (I'm sure you can all make the logical inferences). A few weeks after his birth, I was gifted a bottle of Saison-Brett from our (the store I work at) distro rep for Boulevard after a tasting (the bottle was extra stock that hadn't been opened at the tasting, and I had just come back from my leave). I brought the bottle home and showed the wife, who commented on the bottling year on the label, and how the bottle would be a pretty kick ass commerative of Brett's birth this year. I noticed the individual numbering, and commented on how truly kick ass it would be to have Bottle #1012 (Brett's birthday) from the 2012 batch as a keepsake. I checked into my stock, and found that we had higher bottling numbers. So I emailed Boulevard, thinking they might know which case, on which pallet, then in which direction bottle #1012 went. I know they have a relatively limited distribution (Midwest/East Coast) and thought Beer Advocates might be able to help me from that point on. I expected either: "Hey, dude! Thanks for drinking our beer! That bottle seems to have ended up somewhere in Delaware or New Jersey!" or "Hey, dude! Thanks for drinking our beer! We have no idea where that bottle is!". This is the email I received: Greetings, Matt- Thanks so much for your message, and congratulations on the birth of your son Brett! I have good news and bad news: Unfortunately, we have no way to find an individual bottle of Saison-Brett. The bottles in that release have long since been scattered to the four winds. Your appreciation for our beers and your loyalty and hard work should not go unrewarded, however...I have an idea that may serve as a suitable commemorative of Brett's arrival. I hope you'll like it. May we have your mailing address? Cheers! Payton Kelly Creative Director, Boulevard Brewing Company 2501 Southwest Boulevard Kansas City, Missouri 64108(personal information redacted)So I send him my mailing address, with no real expectations, and it fell to the back of my mind. Today, I got a package from Boulevard. It was much larger than I could've ever expected, and this is what it contained: Matted, framed, and signed by Payton Kelly (Creative Director) and John McDonald (Founder and President) of Boulevard Brewing Co. It's being hung in Brett's room, and I can't wait to tell him the story of why there's a beer's label with his birthdate on it in his room! Say what you want about their beer (I'm a huge fan, but that's obvious), this is WAY above and beyond reasonable expectations of a company. So, yeah. Pretty awesome group of people over there in Kansas City.
Things like this remind you that for all we grouse about it here, the craft beer community can be pretty amazing sometimes. Congrats!
I've become a huge fan of Boulevard living in KC. They put out a great product and do a lot of cooperative stuff in the community.
That is a great story! They just came to NC and I'll spread this story to my friends! Congrats on the birth of your son!
Way cool move. And they now house one of six master Cicerones in the world. I, am too, a huge fan of their beer.
if one of my bottles was 1012 i would offer it to you, but both of mine are in the 9000 range... but thats still really awesome they did that for you, lot of respect for Boulevard
Thats awesome! We just recently got Boulevard Brews in our area and I was already a pretty big fan of their beers, but after seeing this it makes me like them even more. Congrats!
Thanks to all for the congrats. I really wanted to make sure the greater BA community heard this, as it is a pretty bad ass, awesome, and frigging amazing thing for them to do. Cheers!
Congrats on the birth of your son! Boulevard is a great company and this is just one more reason that I will continue to purchase their products.
Very nice post. Coincidentally, bought a six of Nutcracker Ale earlier today. It's chillin' right now and I won't open one till tomorrow, but I'll be thinking about this thread when I do. Congrats.
Congratulations to you! I was already a huge fan of their beers, but this pretty much makes me smitten for life.
Interesting to see this thread right now, as I just drank a 750 of Saison-Brett by myself that I had been holding onto since this summer. Bottle # 5326, but if it was your number... oh snap!
Anyone pick up any baby diaper in the 2012 Saison-Brett? JK. One of my all-time favorite beers from one of my all-time favorite breweries (and yes, they distribute all the way out here in Washington, God bless them). Great story OP.
Have always enjoyed their beers and am glad to hear that they are nice people. It's not just about the beer, it's about the people behind the beer...
It is truly amazing how generous some breweries are indeed. Never ceases to amaze me . Boulevard hit it out of the park for sure .
Awesome story. I hope you're keeping a bottle of that around for him to try when he's 21. If you want some more Brett-related items, here's another beer they dastardly named after your son:
What a great story, congrats. I didn't need any more reason to drink their brews. Through some of the employees I have met while visiting KC and the fact that they actually respond to emails, I already knew they were a high quality organization.
Congratulations on your son, enjoy your first holiday season with him! Boulevard makes great stuff. It's a little pricey so I frequently pass by it, but when I do spring for it I am never let down. I think Double Wide is an excellent DIPA and Tank 7 is a wonderful brew as well.
I'm not sure honestly, but it's always an amount that makes me look away. I'd wager to guess around $13?
Wow, I'm not too familiar with mark-ups based on distribution but that's a healthy 65% markup compared to prices here in KC. Stock up if you ever head to the midwest!
I know of a few stores that still have some on the shelves. I'll look around today on my lunch break and see if any come close to your son's birthday. Very awesome and congrats!
