OT: Getting Oberon in Texas
I just moved to Dallas and am suffering from Oberon withdrawal bad. Anyone down here have experience with shipping it in or just buying it in the area?
I'm thinking about just asking my dad to ship it down but don't want him to get into any legal trouble
Bell's has been pretty adament about the areas in which they will and won't distribute.
HOWEVA - I have been told by the Sales Director (or whatever his actual title is) of Founder's that they'll be selling in California soon. Oberon is great, but Founder's is where it's at and I'm getting it.
I'm not familiar with Short's. Are you saying that's better then Founder's or Bell's? Or both?
I prefer Short's lineup as a whole to Bell's or Founder's. I like individual beers from both of them but Short's has more overall that I like.
Except their fruit beers like Soft Parade or Key Lime.... those are nightmares.
Short's isn't bad by any stretch, but I like the consistency of Founder's better and I also prefer Bell's. Short's has had some bottling problems in the past and they don't have as strong a base lineup, but you have to admire their brewing creativity.
As stated below, I prefer Short's as a whole. I like a few Bell's and Founder's but really haven't had a bad Short's beer yet.
March 24th, 2014 at 11:21 PM ^
Anyone like Blue Point?
March 24th, 2014 at 10:18 PM ^
It used to be fire-brewed.
You've made my mind explode.
I believe Founders is working with a major San Diego area brewer (I'm sure you can figure it out who) to distribute in Southern CA. Also, Bell's just announced that they will be distributing in San Diego and Imperial counties starting in May. Cheers!
Well as of about a week ago, Founder's had nothing in place in California, and I heard this straight from the horses mouth (well, my dad did). What he was told is that they are still listening to business plans from distributors out here. One company offered $2 million to be the sole distributor in the state and it was turned down. Either way, it should be happening soon.
Are you referring to Karl Strauss? I feel like they'd be competitors. Their Tower 10 IPA is one of my favorites.
Good to hear about Bell's in SD as well. Pump some CA money back to Michigan - I'm OK with that.
March 24th, 2014 at 11:30 PM ^
I just moved back up north a couple months ago after 2 years in grad school in Texas. I never saw any Bells beers except Two-Hearted drafts at a couple bars. Probably gonna have to ship it, I guess.
Founders, on the other hand, recently started selling/distributing in Texas. Should be able to find it at any liquor store or beer market that has a decent selection.
I've seen Two-Hearted Ale and Hopslam on tap every once in a while out here in the Permian Basin.
March 24th, 2014 at 11:38 PM ^
And I will most certainly drive to the Permian basin for Oberon or Bell's on tap.
March 25th, 2014 at 12:37 AM ^
Dude, just go to Cricket's (sp?). They have all sorts of good shit on tap usually.
Buying St Arnold's Lawnmower is like paying craft beer prices for Bud Light.
I know this has been shared here before, but Bell's does have a brand finder via this link here - LINK
Even if they are not in Texas, you might be able to find someone or make arrangements through someone relatively close to your location.
There is still great beer to choose from in Texas: Stone Brewing Company (Arrogant Bastard Ale), Dogfish Head brews, and Avery Brewing Company to name a few. Shinerbock is especially popular here, although you can find much better brews with ease.
that will ship it legally to Texas. Lived in Houston for 4 years. Prices are astronomical. I think I paid $40 for a 12. Most of it in shipping. Was not a smart purchase. I think I had luck with a company in Virginia.
Founders has good beer...I live in kalamazoo and often visit bells. Actually going on 12 yrs now. They have so many beers that are never bottled. Usually they now have about 25 different beers on tap. Round House IRA, Double Cream stout, Smoked Rye, Sweet Potatoe Stout, Smitten, I could go on and on. And the atmosphere in the summer with the garden and live music cant be beat. Founders just isnt as creative enough with their beer and they dont really have a quality IPA.
March 24th, 2014 at 10:00 PM ^
March 24th, 2014 at 10:07 PM ^
Just get a Blue Moon it's the same thing.
March 24th, 2014 at 11:03 PM ^
March 25th, 2014 at 12:59 AM ^
This is just not true. I like wheat beers and Hefeweizens. Blue Moon is a fine beer, but Oberon it is not. It goes something like Blue Moon < Widmer < Shock Top < Oberon.
I've got a case or so left from my dad's last trip down here. It's last year's, but you're welcome to a sixer if you ever make it down to Austin. Honestly, I'm a bigger fan of Brewery Vivant's Farmhouse or Triomphe. And Short's Huma-lupa-licious. North Peak Diabolical and Dark Horse Crooked Tree are also really good. All we manage to get here in Texas is Founders. Both of their IPAs are solid.
Pretty sure Brian is on the record that he hates drinking threads, but I've always thought there is a great opportunity for MGoBloggers to connect with each other to trade beers. I know there are quite a few people on here who know their beer, have reliable access to fresh locals, and would be interested in getting out of market brews.
Obviously these arrangements would need to be managed outside the blog, but wondering if enough others are interested. We could always set up a shared Google spreadsheet to track interested folks (e-mail address where you can be reached), what market you live in and any specific beers you can get, and specific beers and/or varieties they are interested in trading for, e.g.
Me: [email protected]
Gots: West Coast / San Diego (Alpine, Societe, Alesmith, etc.)
Wants: Fresh IPAs, barrel aged stouts. Love Southern Tier Creme Brulee.
If you're interested, reply here and speak up if you have a better idea for how to connect outside MGB.
Cheers!
March 24th, 2014 at 10:30 PM ^
Smuggling is a pretty common, if illegal, activity in Texas. But I think they'll overlook a bit of it if you give them a cut, maybe a case or two will do the trick.
/s
March 24th, 2014 at 10:41 PM ^
March 24th, 2014 at 11:23 PM ^