Well, Election day was today, that’s cool. Another important event was today too, though. The anticipated release of Saint Arnold‘s 10th offering in it’s Divine Reserve series. this year it was an English barleywine that “will be based on the recipe of Chris Landis of the Kuykendahl Gran Brewers, who won the 2010 Big Batch Brew Bash with a barleywine he bottled during Hurricane Gustav in 2008.” (from an article by Ronnie Crocker, resident Houston Chronicle beer guy). I was excited to try this release since I had DR9 (a Pumpkin Imperial Stout) last year and tried DR8 at a bar before that. I was also excited because barleywines have become a new favorite of mine. So when I saw that my local HEB (Bunker Hill) was going to have some, I made sure to get over there quick, because these releases sell out fast!
I haven’t actually tried the beer from this purchase, yet. I want to age some, and I will also probably enjoy one bottle as well, but in a super secret tasting a few weeks ago- I got a sneak peek at the Divine Reserve #10 and quite enjoyed it. This post is more about the hunt. Coming soon though I will post my thoughts on the actual beer, but I felt like a few things I saw, while following Houston’s mad search on twitter, needed to be addressed.
If Twitter is to believed (follow along by searching for the hashtag #DR10), Houston and surrounding burbs were a madhouse today. At my HEB, there were about 15 people in line, but over at the Spec’s in Midtown, there were over 100 people in line and they sold out in 15 minutes! Someone said a couple got there at 2 AM! (in the rain, seriously?!). Other than the scavenger hunt going on, I noticed another phenomenon that quite pissed me off. Some stores were limiting it to 1 six-pack (that’s fine…) but if you wanted a second they were charging almost double! DAMN! With the Divine Reserves already going anywhere from $14-$17 a six-pack, double is simply outrageous. I feel lucky that my HEB’s limit was 2 and that I was able to afford and get both before they sold out (which was pretty fast too!). A friend of mine, Diane, tweeted a picture from her local Fiesta (Dunlavy at Alabama) of the sign.
Fiesta's DR10 Policy
Now, I know it would be very disappointing not to be able to find any Divine Reserve, so I do understand the policy, BUT why not just say no- limit 1? The up charge on the second 6 pack is ridiculous. Obviously people will pay that much, especially if they think they can’t get it anywhere else due to limited supplies, but seriously making money off of people’s fear of not getting any at all? That is just plain wrong. Good thing there isn’t a Fiesta near me, or I wouldn’t be shopping there until my pissy-ness wore off.
Then on the other side of the spectrum, there were the places that didn’t limit anyone at all. Apparently, Kroger on W 43rd had this policy and one guy bought a whole case (48 bottles/4 six packs) according to @deneyterrio‘s tweet. As well as another person on twitter who posted a picture of what looked to be like 54 bottles! Two and a quarter cases, which most people replied (somewhat angrily) about him hoarding and being greedy.
This all circles back to Saint Arnold and our lovely beer laws. From last year’s super fast sell-out they decided to try to increase the production of this year’s Divine by 50%, but due to some system issues they could only put out an extra 20% (which we are all very grateful for). But for the crappy laws though, we would just be able to all go to Saint Arnold’s brewery, stand in line there and receive our one or two six packs directly from them, eliminating the need for these crazy searches (some argue it’s fun, but not for those who miss out!) and also not having to worry about paying double for the second, not getting a second at all, or some homeboy in front of you buying it all up, right in front of your own eyes.
There is another factor to limiting the production and only releasing once a year- the whole exclusivity factor. Just like 3 Floyds Dark Lord Day (they do it to raise money for a charity though) where people buy tickets and stand in line to buy this special brew, with a limit as well. But, I definitely understand people’s frustrations at not getting to have any of their own Divine and being subjected to high pint prices at bars, the few that actually get a keg. For those interested, it looks like Anvil will be tapping a keg at 5PM when they open, Petrol Station will put theirs on at 7 and Flying Saucer will tap theirs Thursday night for their rare beer tap night.
That is all. Rant over. I do feel lucky that I got mine, and know that next year will probably be worse as the popularity grows and grows, but maybe next year we’ll also see more of it!
November 2, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Thanks to you, I actually got a sixpack of it. I saw your tweet about HEB at Bunker Hill having “plenty” so I stopped by. I wandered into the beer aisle and was immediately offer a sixpack of it. No waiting in line for hours, no running around town to multiple locations. Obviously a case of “right place, right time”. Cheers.
November 2, 2010 at 2:48 pm
No problem, Steve! Glad you got some. I think they definitely over estimated the “plenty” part, doubt they knew how many people were looking for it.
November 2, 2010 at 3:17 pm
as you mentioned in your post, those of us that come up empty handed can feel very frustrated. I have missed out on the 3 DR releases after trying to hit up several stores.
Each time I promise myself not to try the next round but its hard not to try.
November 2, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Sorry that you aren’t having any luck Dan, I would try various Kroger’s since apparently some are releasing today and others aren’t until Thursday! I would also search the hashtag on twitter to see if anything pops up in your area. Best of luck!
November 2, 2010 at 3:32 pm
What’s wrong with you? If you can get ONE 6pack… how can there be a fear of not getting any at all? As far as I’m concerned (1) 6pack is enough. Quit your whining. Not everyone is unemployed and can sit in the line with all the other sheeple. What pisses me off most is that Twitter has ruined Divine Reserve for Saint Arnold’s most loyal fans. Now it’s become an exclusive fanboi… I must get it because everyone else is getting it. Now the entire Washington Ave strip of D-Bags (typical lite beer drinkers) are running to the cattle call to go buy beer that most won’t even enjoy. While the true Saint Arnolds fans are stuck at work… you have a bunch of freaks out practically camping for a possibility to buy some beer. I refuse to join the cattle call. There are plenty of other good English Barley Wines available all over the city. I’d guess that most of the people that are buying the DR10 couldn’t tell the difference between the Sierra Nevada Bigfoot and DR10. I’m going to enjoy a Deschutes Mirror Mirror tonight while I enjoy my evening… all you suckers have fun waiting in line just to be disappointed.
November 2, 2010 at 3:45 pm
well now! Hostile, are we? I have a job thankyouverymuch and I am a loyal Saint Arnold fan. and I DAMN sure don’t drink lite beer. I’m not whining- I got my DR10! Merely commenting on some of the crazy shit I saw today as many people searched around town for it. Have fun with your Deschutes Mirror Mirror, I’ll let you know how good DR10 is in a year!
November 2, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Quite the contrary. If you follow the DR10 tweets it’s Armageddon out there… though quite amusing. Some guy went to 3 Specs, 4 HEBs, 1 Kroger… get a life! I refuse to participate just like I refuse to chase after the ridiculous after thanksgiving sales. Divine Reserve release day/week is a joke.
November 2, 2010 at 5:33 pm
If you hate it so much and don’t want to be part of the “cattle call” as you say, then why are you following along? Maybe you need a life….
November 2, 2010 at 3:51 pm
grocerylist hit the nail on the head.
I know I was fist pumping my way through whole foods to get my douchetastic hands on some DR. It’s what all the cool kids are doing!
November 2, 2010 at 5:33 pm
were there any juice heads or gorillas???? bahahah
November 4, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Grocerylist,
If it really matters to you, spend some vacation time and wait in line like everyone else. You’re not entitled to special consideration just because you’re a ‘true St Arnold’s fan’ or whatever. There are plenty of bar opportunities to try DR10 if you’re not successful getting it at a store.
A bloo bloo bloo, Twitter ruined my beer snob lifestyle. Grow up, you fucking child.
-Kylejack, A Beer Snob
November 2, 2010 at 9:40 pm
I only hate it because of people like you that go buy multiple 6 packs and then go to the bars the bars to buy more DR by the pint. Why don’t you greedy a$$holes let others have some too… So many people search all over Houston for the DR and for the few that can get a 6 pack or two… to go out to the bar and buy more is just selfish. Way to hoard the DR all for yourself. I hope you all the DR10 you have at home sitting in your fridge makes you feel good about yourself.
November 2, 2010 at 9:45 pm
AWW! poor baby couldn’t plan ahead for a release date that was announced over a month ago! so sad for you. and the bars all announced that they would have it. AND any beer person should know it’s not in the fridge to age.
November 2, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Apparently someone didn’t make their grocery list. You are just a hater, the information is out there and you still Apparently someone didn’t make their grocery list. You are just a hater, the information is out there and you still procrastinated. You are the dumb shit without the beer to say the least. There is nothing wrong to try the draft too tastes different. Oh well grocerylist enjoy your keystone, natty light and lonestar beer.
November 2, 2010 at 10:49 pm
grocery list LAWL very clever… mhmm Schlitz
November 2, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I think we should make CUPCAKES with he DR10 Leslie!!! I am sure people would love that! bwaahaahaaa.
November 3, 2010 at 12:29 am
This is a most excellent idea. I may need Moooooo’s help! ;)
November 3, 2010 at 2:49 am
I would enjoy the DR releases so much more if we could make it similar to Three Floyd’s Dark Lord Day — bands, food, beer geek camaraderie! Let’s pour all of our hunting frustrations out on our Texas Legislature and see if we can win the right for breweries to sell beer on premises (just like Texas wineries do). :)
November 3, 2010 at 7:29 am
Sounds like an awesome idea, where do I sign up?! :)
November 3, 2010 at 9:09 am
Grocerylist, I envy you. I wish my life was so carefree that something like beer got my panties in a wad.
November 3, 2010 at 1:54 pm
With 1800 cases and 36 kegs there’s plenty to go around. Part of the fun is tracking it down. Its awesome to see so many hardcore craft beerheads in Houston.
November 3, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Most definitely! I had fun having a pint last night at Petrol with you guys :)
December 15, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Any one willing to sell a six pack?
February 3, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Completely unexpectedly, this has just turned up at HEB in Bryan. Two six-packs are on their way home :-) , but as of five minutes ago the store still had a couple left.