Originally Posted by
zippy the pinhead
Hard-to-get beers are becoming more and more common. I can think of several beloved IPAs which I can find, with some effort, maybe two or three times in a year:
Just Outstanding IPA
Citra IPA
Pliny The Elder
Blind Pig IPA
There are several liquor stores in my area which will only sell one bottle of any of the above per customer per visit.
Same here in Chicago, though I've rarely made the effort except for Dark Lord. I'm lucky to have a few friends who pursue hard-to-find beers and are happy to share. On Dark Lord Day we had both Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, plus a flight consisting of 6-8 years of Dark Lord. A friend has a pony keg of Off Color's Dino S'more, and I expect to be invited over for a tapping party in the next few weeks. Another friend's Superbowl party this year turned into a tasting of about 20 rare bottles. The downside to being the beneficiary of this largese: A friend who gave me tickets to the Midwest Belgian Beer Fest has indicated that he may also give me his beer suitcase and expect me to come home with it -- ugh, checked luggage -- filled with some gems that are expected to be released next Saturday.