I mentioned this previously, but only one distributor in the entire state stocked up on over 6% beer prior to our bill being signed into law, and that distributor serves the greater Birmingham area. It was a high risk, high reward scenario. There was never any guarantee our bill would be signed into law before Riley’s signature was in place. If we hadn’t succeeded this year, any distributor with >6% beer in their warehouse would have had to ship it back to the breweries at considerable expense.
But now their somewhat risky move is paying off. We did succeed, and Birmingham Beverage has delivered the very first shipments of high gravity beer ever sold in Alabama. Today many of us flocked to the Westerns in Mountain Brook and Vestavia to clear their shelves of new shipments, and the Piggly Wiggly on Clairmont stocked up, too. I also heard Blackwell’s Pub got some new beers in. Tomorrow, the J. Clyde will have an impressive array of new bottled beers and Friday they will have many new beers on draught.
That’s all because one distributor went out on a limb. But most didn’t. So in most of the rest of the state, you’ll still have to wait at least a couple weeks. Sympathy for everyone who isn’t benefiting from that gamble, but you’ll have the good stuff soon enough.
In Birmingham, though, today was a very, very good day.
9 Comments
Yeah, you say sympathy – all I hear is “Nah na nah na nah nah, we beat you!!” Thanks for trying to sound sympathetic.
so out of curiosity, what were the first few beers sold in the state?
All the answers are here:
http://www.freethehops.org/community/viewforum.php?f=38
abita jockamo
carlsberg elephant
duvel mortgat
witkap pater dobble and triplel
ayinger celebrator
north coast
and others
do you need more or should i say what are you looking for
Delirium Tremens and Nocturnum
You know, I think we deserved it here in Birmingham. We take a lot of crap: massive JeffCo debt, Larry Langford’s antics, years of white flight and civic anemia. So it’s nice to know that there are benefits to living in the largest city in Alabama.
Check this email out
Dear Sir:
Thank you for your interest in Chimay. The brewery has sent your request to us, Manneken-Brussel Imports. We import Chimay beer for the United States .
Unfortunately, no, we can not ship beer to Alabama . The laws are changing in Alabama for high gravity beer and we are working on obtaining a license in your state. Please check back with us in 30-60 days for updated information.
If you have any questions, you can reach us at 800.616.3474 or email crystal@mbibeer.com.
Best regards,
Crystal Bunger
And another
Hi Jay,
Thanks for the email and seeking out our beer. Congratulations on the great news! We are in the process of determining the new states for next year. We have a lot of factors to consider and can’t wait to sell in Alabama. Thanks for the passion for our beers and letting us know what’s going on in your state.
In the 18 years since our co-founders, Jeff and Kim, started brewing New Belgium beers in their basement, we are extremely grateful to have our beers in 25 states. Our growth has been controlled and steady so that we can measure our environmental impact and improve as well as maintain the quality of our offerings and family-style, employee-owned culture.
A value that we were founded on and that still lives are very mindful of is the environmental foot-print that we are creating. We have just completed our first Sustainability Report. To read all the groovy facts that we have learned, please take a gander: http://www.newbelgium.com/files/shared/07SustainabilityReportlow.pdf .
Our current approach has allowed us to perpetually tinker and measure our growth. We are lucky enough to explore and think about growing in non-traditional ways. A mutual love of interesting beer has led us to a “Collabeeration” with Elysian Brewing on the West Coast. We are excited to come together in a model that does not fit in the typical business stratagem and hope that this possible new growth will lend itself to enjoy creative experimentation, increased efficiencies, and to utilize each other’s strengths to bring world-class beers to an expanding craft drinking audience. Perhaps, a similar relationship with someone will hasten our arrival.
Until we reach your borders, you can be a part of our online community by becoming a fan on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Belgium-Brewing/6007352619.
Much appreciation to you,
Tiffany
New Belgium Brewing Company
500 Linden
Ft. Collins, CO 80524
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Belgium-Brewing/6007352619