UPDATE: Westvleteren to be distributed to the U.S. next year…
(BELGIUM) – Various news items and gossip picked up on today’s big Westvleteren XII mega release in Belgium…more context here if you missed the news in October.
From International Beer Writer and Beer Judge, Joris Pattyn, on RateBeer:
Forget about the Colruyt Westvleteren XII.
Yesterday, the newspapershops were bereft from the newspaper containing the necessary voucher – people reserved 50 issues etc., and by 07.00 last morning, no Standaard to be had in any of the two newsshops in the microhamlet I live in.
Today, Thursday, every Colruyt supermarket is beseiged: kms of congested roads to the parking, and rows upon rows for getting the package at the checkout points…
And tomorrow the whole of voucher-mad Belgium is drinking Leffe and Jupiler again.
Two-thirds of the 98,000 boxes reportedly sold out in the morning hours. Those with vouchers for the boxes were lining up in the wee hours of the morning similar to big beer releases here in the U.S..
That said, there hasn’t been a beer release event of this magnitude in the U.S. as far as I know either.
This video indicates some of the madness that took place at stores. At one point, you can see a couple people with a cart for just one box.
Of course, many were left distraught with how the release is being handled…
“Our readers in kiosks will take possession of this good Friday morning at the first time in their local bookstore, or in another place that distributes the magazine,” explained Amid Faljaoui Thursday, Director of the Vif-L’Express. “We apologize to our readers in bookstores for this’ little communication error”, he added.
Oh, and one more thing…
Almost all revenue, 2.3 million will be devoted to the renovation. A similar formula should also be born abroad in 2012. Some 70,000 boxes should be sent beyond our borders.
Stay tuned.
I don’t get it, last time I was in Westvleteren I walked into the tasting room and just picked up 24 bottles of Westvleteren 12. No lines, no craziness. What’s different about this release, limited edition packaging?
Ryan, I guess you are lucky living in Belgium, but one who lives in the other corner of Europe can just dream about tasting this praised beer unfortunately, just like me… As it is not available outside Belgium as far as I am aware 🙁
I don’t think he lives in Belgium
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Actually I live in the US, and the price you pay for extra luggage is well worth it for the beer cargo. 🙂
My bewilderment is this:For the first time in a long time (or ever?) the beer is available outside the abby, but it’s still only available in Belgium. Belgium is a pretty small country. If I lived there, and I really wanted some Westvleteren 12, I’d drive to Westvleteren and get some. That’s assuming, of course, that they have some for sale and I’m not sure that’s always the case. At any rate, it’s a great beer and I’m down to my last couple bottles. I’m hoping to make another pilgrimage back there next spring and pick up some more.
Lucky Ryan, he didn’t have to call and reserve like the rest of us!
After hearing tales of others who dropped in and were turned away, I wonder what his secret is, mind sharing?
I can only claim dumb luck. I was going to try and reserve some, but I think the dates I was there didn’t coincide with their release schedule. Worst case, you drop in and drink a couple while you’re there. 🙂 And if that doesn’t work…well, there’s plenty of other good beer to try around there.
Ryan, when were you there? I have lived in Europe and have been going to Westvleteren for years and have only heard of a few instance of someone getting in the back, and those were for interviews and not for tasting’s.
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