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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
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- 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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Title: The Truth Behind “Limited Release” Beers: An Overabundance of Scarcity
In the world of craft beer, the allure of a “limited release” has captivated enthusiasts for years. However, it appears that the promise of exclusivity is losing its luster. Have you noticed how these supposedly rare brews seem to linger on store shelves for far longer than anticipated?
Just yesterday, I visited my local bottle shop, and lo and behold, there was an “extremely limited” barrel-aged stout that has been on display since October. The shelf talker continued to tout its limited production—boasting about only 500 cases being available. Despite this claim, it seems no one is inclined to fork out $25 for a beer that tastes like every other bourbon barrel creation out there.
Remember when beers like KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) and BCBS (Bourbon County Brand Stout) would fly off the shelves? Enthusiasts would camp out at their favorite retailers just to secure a taste of these coveted brews. Fast forward to today, and I find myself strolling into a decent shop, casually picking up vintage 2020 BCBS as if it were a six-pack of High Life. It’s a stark contrast to the past when rare releases genuinely felt like treasures.
The craft beer market is flooded with “limited” offerings, resulting in many sitting idle on warm store shelves, often past their optimal drinking dates. The concept of artificial scarcity has reached a point where it’s becoming rather cringe-worthy.
I, for one, am weary of paying top dollar for these so-called “limited edition” beers that are often more abundant than some common varieties. If breweries want to maintain the magic of rarity, they should either ensure the products are genuinely hard to find or stop pretending that their latest contact-brewed barrel-aged concoction is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
As consumers, we deserve authentic experiences, not just clever marketing tactics that fall flat. Let’s hope for a future where limited releases actually reflect their name.