Arrogant Bastard in Chi?

Ok, I try and stay up on new brands coming to the Chicago area, but I must have missed this one. First Brookly brewery sneaks in under my nose and now I'm hearing reports of Arrogant Bastard sightings?

Can anyone confirm these allegations? I'm heading in to town tonight (I live in Rockford) and would love to pick up a few bombers of the brew.

Lemme know.

Zak

Unless something has changed very recently, Stone Brewing does not have a distributor in Illinois. I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure I would have heard about it. In fact, I seem to remember somebody once saying that Stone was one of the brewers that refuses to distribute in Illinois because of the restrictive laws. Indiana is the closest place to get Stone brews.

According to Stone's distributor list (which, admittedly, could be dated), Illinois is not in the distribution network.

I've been able to purchase some Stone brews in Chicago albeit at an inflated price. Just to give you an idea, an Oaked Age Arrogant Bastard at $6 a bottle. 12oz. OUCH.

You're better off hitting up a liquor store across the border in Indiana for better prices but it's here in the city if you choose to seek it. That and some New Glarus and Tyranena on occasion. (hint: store name rhymes with Crush).

K2daP wrote:I've been able to purchase some Stone brews in Chicago albeit at an inflated price. Just to give you an idea, an Oaked Age Arrogant Bastard at $5 a bottle. 12oz. OUCH.

I'm from San Diego, where Stone brews, and outside of the small area you are going to pay about 4+ bucks for a bottle of the oaked bastard. It's made in a very very limited quantity once a year- it's a smaller batch than even a normal seasonal.

I'm the beverage manager at my family's restaurant/bar and I've seen the distribution page on Stone's website. I posted this because I've heard firsthand from a Chicago friend that he's found it in Chicago. Just wondering if anyone knew something I didn't, or maybe their website just hadn't been updated.

(ps: I came back from Portland about 5 months ago with two Arrogant Bastards, a Ruination IPA, and Smoked Porter in my luggage. Still waiting to pop the last two....)

I saw the owner of Stone speak last fall and he was asked about coming to Illinois and he said it was not in their current 3-5 year plan

zgti1 wrote:I'm the beverage manager at my family's restaurant/bar and I've seen the distribution page on Stone's website. I posted this because I've heard firsthand from a Chicago friend that he's found it in Chicago. Just wondering if anyone knew something I didn't, or maybe their website just hadn't been updated.

(ps: I came back from Portland about 5 months ago with two Arrogant Bastards, a Ruination IPA, and Smoked Porter in my luggage. Still waiting to pop the last two....)

There are a number of items available in Chicago that are not normally distributed here, at at least one shop I am aware of, but I think people would rather not discuss it on the forum for the shop's sake.

Understandable.

I talked with Deb Carey of New Glarus a few months ago, & explained how much I'd love to get up there for a brewery tour and how I'd buy a few cases to bring back, and she was very clear that I was not to resell it in Illinois - I assured her that I was PAINFULLY aware of IL beer law and that anything I bought would be for private consumption/sampling only, not sold.

I'd love a PM with the name of the shop though - I'd rather patronize a daring beer shop than pay out the @ss at liquidsolutions.com or other online beverage depot to get my fix of regionally unattainable brews.

There is a shop next UIC occationally gets them, and plus some other brews that aren't distribute in Illinois. I paid 4 bucks a pop for the Oaked Bastard at Buffalo a while back, so 6 bucks here ain't back. Liquor Stop in Munster, IN will fill all your Stone needs. I think I will have a Double Bastard this weekend while watching the Cubs beat the crap outta the sox.

Jay@HG wrote:I think I will have a Double Bastard this weekend while watching the Cubs beat the crap outta the sox.

You heard they traded Barrett, right?

Yeah, I am not really sure if that was good move or not, but we will see.

Jay@HG wrote: Liquor Stop in Munster, IN will fill all your Stone needs. I think I will have a Double Bastard this weekend while watching the Cubs beat the crap outta the sox.

I purchased some Oaked Arrogant Bastard at the Liquor Stop yesterday (along with an assortment of other beers not available on this side of sanity). At $18 a six, I was a little hesitant, especially since I don't like many maltier high gravity ales, but I am glad that I splurged. It certainly is a fine tasting brew. Aside from Stone products, the Liquor Stop (which is actually in Highland not Munster) has a great selection of specialty beers from Indiana and Michigan that are not available here.

Liquor Stop
9218 Indianapolis Blvd
Highland, IN 46322
(219) 838-6884

The Liquor Stop is, almost, a required point of interest for my friends and I whenever we visit the FFF brewpub. Last time I was there, about a week ago, they even had the 5gal mini-kegs of Oberon for $20. I can't wait to bust out the real stuff at a summer barbecue.

They also have, often, more FFF beer available for purchase than is available at the brewpub. Prices are in-line with what you'd expect for craft beer (about $10/6-pack), but there's no sales tax, which is especially ncie for those of us in Cook County.

I keep trying to get the guys at Liquor Stop to get a better selection of DogFish Head (I live down the street from there). They're usually very good about ordering anything they don't have in stock.

I'm pretty sure they have a ton of Stone products.