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Steven Coulson
Steven has been drinking beers, wines and spirits for decades and has a propensity to go about them at length after a few drinks.
Latest Posts
- Oregon Road Trip: Freeland Spirits Garden Botanicals Gin
- Botanist with Trader Joe’s Lemon and Elderflower Soda
- I’m one of the worlds leading buyers of craft gin in the world and a international spirit judge AMA
- I’m blown away…. By how let down I am by this Gin.
- The Botanist 22 Gin Review: Perhaps the most overhyped gin around
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The Illusion of Limited Releases in Craft Beer: A Frustrating Trend
In recent visits to my local bottle shop, I’ve observed a recurring phenomenon that calls into question the authenticity of “limited releases” in the craft beer scene. It seems that every time I turn around, a supposedly “exclusive” beer lingers on the shelves for an extended period. Just yesterday, I encountered a barrel-aged stout, advertised as “extremely limited,” that had been available since October. The shelf talker proudly boasted about its rarity—claiming only 500 cases were produced—but the reality was starkly different. At a price tag of $25, the stout sat stagnant, likely overlooked due to its resemblance to countless other bourbon barrel stouts on the market.
Contrast this with the cult classics like Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) and Bourbon County Brand Stout (BCBS), which once had enthusiasts camping outside shops for a chance to grab a bottle. Nowadays, I can stroll into almost any respectable establishment and find vintage 2020 BCBS readily available, as if it’s just another ordinary brew. The surplus of “limited edition” offerings seems to have diluted their true value, resulting in many of these once-coveted beers sitting unpurchased on the warm shelves, far past their optimal drinking dates.
This trend raises a critical reflection on marketing strategies rooted in artificial scarcity. It’s become increasingly frustrating to pay a premium for these so-called “limited edition” ales that turn out to be less exclusive than widely accessible brands. As a consumer who appreciates genuine craftsmanship and rarity in beer, it would be refreshing to see breweries either commit to truly limited runs or be more transparent about availability. The current state of affairs feels misleading, and it’s time for a more honest approach to crafting and marketing the beer we love.
In conclusion, as beer enthusiasts, we deserve to enjoy brews that live up to their hype—let’s hope the industry can recalibrate its approach to limited releases and bring back the excitement of discovering something truly special.