I didn't - but I also wasn't looking for it. You might want to give them a buzz. In light of their other offerings, they might have it.

Luckyguy wrote:Saw some last night at Danny's Liquors at 2222 N Western Ave. I always thought of this place as a dump - and it was - but suddenly it has a remarkable beer selection, especially local stuff. And the prices are decent.

I've often picked up beer there to accompany BBQ across the street at Honey 1. I never went there prior to Honey 1 so I don't know when they started but I've always thought their beer selection was surprisingly extensive.

I was about to add a caveat that they ONLY TAKE CASH but a recent Yelp post proclaims they now accept credit cards. I have not verified this so YMMV.

A fresh batch of Hopslam has arrived in Chicago. Believe that date on the new bottles is 1/25/2012. So, if you like it you're in luck! Saw some at Andersonville Wines & Spirits today.

Hopped Up wrote:A fresh batch of Hopslam has arrived in Chicago. Believe that date on the new bottles is 1/25/2012. So, if you like it you're in luck! Saw some at Andersonville Wines & Spirits today.

You beat me to it. I saw it there yesterday and forgot to post about it. Possibly also of interest those perusing this thread: a shipment of Zombie Dust 6-packs were delivered while I was in the shop and there were a few bottles of Behemoth on the shelf, too.

=R=

Andersonville Wine & Spirits
5201 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 769-0858

Maria's Community Bar is tapping a keg of Hopslam today and they also have bottles of Zombie Dust in.

dradeli wrote:I am looking in the western suburbs, if anyone see some, let me know.
Thanks.

Main Street Imported Liquors in Berwyn had at least 3 6-packs left on display as of an hour ago, and possibly more in the back room. It's at the corner of 22nd and Clinton, on the north side of the street. Small place, but a pretty nice selection.

ronnie_suburban wrote:FYI, Fountainhead had it on tap briefly. We were told they sold it out in 3 days. I don't know if they are getting more. Luckily, there were lots of other fine brews available.

=R=

I ended up making it to Fountainhead and grabbed it before it ran out! thanks for the heads up

Woodman's in Kenosha had a stacks of cases yesterday but at $55/case, you can have all you want. Never tried it, never will at that price. I'll just sit back and watch the current frenzy.-Dick

$55 per case is a bargain compared to the $80 per case they're getting in central Illinois. Wish I was going to be in Wisconsin on business this week

Yeah, I'd say it's pretty much impossible to find it for ~$14 a 6er. And considering that the average going rate for bombers of good beer is $10, that really is a bargain. I don't think Bell's would have any problem selling bombers of this for 10, and with them now bottling some of their beers (like Sparkling Ale) in bombers, we might not see Hopslam 6 packs for much longer.

Had to Google 'bomber' and I've been drinking beer for a long long time and drank a lot of beer.

Anyway, I don't know about you but when the price for a 22oz bottle of beer goes to $10, there is not $10 worth of value in the bottle. The beer industry along with just about every other industry, is in a frenzy of 'Limited Release' and artificial scarcity along with just some plain off the wall nomenclature, all designed to get more money out of your pocket.
It's amazing to walk into a place like Woodman's or Binny's and look at the beer/ale selection. Most of it artificial scarcity or contrived naming. I'll stick to my original assertion, you can have all you want.-Dick

budrichard wrote:Had to Google 'bomber' and I've been drinking beer for a long long time and drank a lot of beer.

Anyway, I don't know about you but when the price for a 22oz bottle of beer goes to $10, there is not $10 worth of value in the bottle. The beer industry along with just about every other industry, is in a frenzy of 'Limited Release' and artificial scarcity along with just some plain off the wall nomenclature, all designed to get more money out of your pocket.
It's amazing to walk into a place like Woodman's or Binny's and look at the beer/ale selection. Most of it artificial scarcity or contrived naming. I'll stick to my original assertion, you can have all you want.-Dick

you probably wouldn't like it anyway.

budrichard wrote:Woodman's in Kenosha had a stacks of cases yesterday but at $55/case, you can have all you want. Never tried it, never will at that price. I'll just sit back and watch the current frenzy.-Dick

Thanks Dick!

hopslam by Mel Hill Photography, on Flickr

But it was $58 for the case (plus tax pushing it to $61 and change)
Would have bought a few cases for friends but one case limit...

budrichard wrote:Had to Google 'bomber' and I've been drinking beer for a long long time and drank a lot of beer.

Anyway, I don't know about you but when the price for a 22oz bottle of beer goes to $10, there is not $10 worth of value in the bottle. The beer industry along with just about every other industry, is in a frenzy of 'Limited Release' and artificial scarcity along with just some plain off the wall nomenclature, all designed to get more money out of your pocket.
It's amazing to walk into a place like Woodman's or Binny's and look at the beer/ale selection. Most of it artificial scarcity or contrived naming. I'll stick to my original assertion, you can have all you want.-Dick

Are you also opposed to wine that costs more than $10 a bottle? They're only 3oz larger than a bomber of beer.

jblth wrote:

budrichard wrote:Had to Google 'bomber' and I've been drinking beer for a long long time and drank a lot of beer.

Anyway, I don't know about you but when the price for a 22oz bottle of beer goes to $10, there is not $10 worth of value in the bottle. The beer industry along with just about every other industry, is in a frenzy of 'Limited Release' and artificial scarcity along with just some plain off the wall nomenclature, all designed to get more money out of your pocket.
It's amazing to walk into a place like Woodman's or Binny's and look at the beer/ale selection. Most of it artificial scarcity or contrived naming. I'll stick to my original assertion, you can have all you want.-Dick

Are you also opposed to wine that costs more than $10 a bottle? They're only 3oz larger than a bomber of beer.

And, in many cases, the alcohol content is comparable.

"you probably wouldn't like it anyway."

And what was that Post designed to elicit?

"Are you also opposed to wine that costs more than $10 a bottle?"

I've drunk and collected wine for many many years. Started long before the craze for Bordeaux and Burgundy priced the First and Second Growths out of sensible purchasers reach. Now most of those wines have not value associated with them but hype that of course keeps the growers and distribution chain happy. I order my German wines directly from the grower but the importer stole my last shipment and have not found another importer that I would trust.
But the question really is about value, artificial scarcity and frenzy. What I perceive in this Thread is frenzy.

"But it was $58 for the case"

Sorry they must have raised the price! But it will sell.
I don't go any other places then Woodman's and Binny's these days. Scott at Woodman's will get just about anything I want at a good price with case discounts. Binny's has some lower prices on 1.75l bottles of spirits and always has some harder to get esoteric wines which I purchase rarely, mostly Champagne. -Dick

I can confirm the $58 case price and $15.46 six-pack price, I was there last night. The stack of cases is considerably less than the picture above, probably down to about 6 cases or less.

There might be good examples of beermakers engaging in gimmickry, artificial scarcity and chump-baiting (to borrow a made up phrase that Chicagoans supposedly use) to make a buck off the naive and trendy. Bell's would not be a good example.

JeffB wrote:There might be good examples of beermakers engaging in gimmickry, artificial scarcity and chump-baiting (to borrow a made up phrase that Chicagoans supposedly use) to make a buck off the naive and trendy. Bell's would not be a good example.

This isn't a brew I particularly enjoy but I don't think anyone could question how distinctive it is. On that basis alone, I can see why those who like this style really love Hopslam.

=R=

jfibro wrote:you probably wouldn't like it anyway.

I believe that line, or something close to it, comes straight from the back of a bottle of Stone's Arrogant Bastard.

nr706 wrote:

jfibro wrote:you probably wouldn't like it anyway.

I believe that line, or something close to it, comes straight from the back of a bottle of Stone's Arrogant Bastard.

somebody got it. i didn't get the direct quote, but close enough.

wallybrau wrote:I can confirm the $58 case price and $15.46 six-pack price, I was there last night. The stack of cases is considerably less than the picture above, probably down to about 6 cases or less.

I'm not a fan of the style, but just don't see how 58 is that bad for a case of beer, it is less than 2.50 a bottle.

{not directed at wallybrau, just a comment on the thread in general}

SSDD

Well you don't have to worry anymore, coming back from Illinois today I stopped by Woodman's to pick up some groceries and on the way out stopped by the Liquor Department.
All cases are gone and they have 'some' behind the the counter.
So for those of you that got some at Woodman's due to my Post, your welcome.
To those of you with other comments, well................-Dick

budrichard wrote:Well you don't have to worry anymore, coming back from Illinois today I stopped by Woodman's to pick up some groceries and on the way out stopped by the Liquor Department.
All cases are gone and they have 'some' behind the the counter.
So for those of you that got some at Woodman's due to my Post, your welcome.
To those of you with other comments, well................-Dick

Yep THANKS DICK!

drinking one right now...

nr706 wrote:

jfibro wrote:you probably wouldn't like it anyway.

I believe that line, or something close to it, comes straight from the back of a bottle of Stone's Arrogant Bastard.

From the label:
Arrogant Bastard Ale

This is an aggressive ale. You probably won’t like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. We would suggest that you stick to safer and more familiar territory–maybe something with a multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you it’s made in a little brewery, or one that implies that their tasteless fizzy yellow beverage will give you more sex appeal. Perhaps you think multi-million dollar ad campaigns make things taste better. Perhaps you’re mouthing your words as you read this.

ejquin1 wrote:Out of curiosity, did you happen to see any of the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout varieties there? Those are becoming a real pain to find, and this place is pretty close to me, so just wondering...

Posted about 10 minutes ago on Pastoral's facebook page:

The good news just keeps rolling in! We got another drop of Goose Island Beer Co. Bourbon County Bramble Rye Stout! 8 bottles at each of our three stores, limit one per customer this time.

Bells Hopslam has returned, just picked up a six pack at Binnys for $15.99!

I've heard mixed things about this year's batch but will need to see for myself.

Lerdawg wrote:Bells Hopslam has returned, just picked up a six pack at Binnys for $15.99!

I've heard mixed things about this year's batch but will need to see for myself.

I picked up 2 6-packs myself from Evanston First myself. I watched them wheel 20 cases into the store -- not sure how that compares to prior years though.

Are you on the north side or downtown or something? I think it's 14.99 at most of the Binny's in the suburbs.

I picked up a case on Tuesday and it was 63 and change with tax.

I had a couple that night and the first thing I noticed was the honey flavor isn't quite as strong as it's been the past couple of years. It's still there but it's not nearly as prevalent this time I don't think.

That honey flavor tends to make it come across almost with a mead-like quality. This batch seems a bit lighter on the pallate but it still has that strong citrus hoppy flavor. I still think this is one of the best beers out there. I'm keeping an eye on Poor Phil's beer menu to see when they get it on tap. Should be any day now I assume.

On Bell's site they said that the production is up from last year so it shouldn't be as hard to get this year.

A LOT of Hopslam at Maria's Community Bar, did not catch the price, apologies.