It's an interesting perspective/experience that we all go through for the same beers. Founders hit my state last October. So this was the first KBS release ever. I really had no idea if it would hit my cities stores. 11am rolls around. FB post about '15 and '16 4 packs available. I get off early and arrive around 1, some 2 hours after fb post. I saw about 4 cases of 15 available, and 5 cases of 16. I walk in and out and its quite easy. Word is by 2pm, 15 is sold out, but 16 is still hanging around until 6pm. Compare that to black friday, and BF is a total mess where limits are so constrained and beers sell out within an hour. It feels like my area didnt know how to approach KBS release. Maybe consumers were unaware as well. So it does feel like in the future, it may not be worth the hassle if it becomes like GI BF.
But given the current price they were selling a 48 oz 4 pack of 12 oz bottles ($21 and $20). I I just could not say no to such a seamless transaction. At the current time, I feel its a 5 out of 5 beer (the 2015 vintage). And its definitely worth some time and effort. I am still used to dropping $14 to $18 on a small batch local brewery BBA 22 oz. bomber stout (which may not be as good). I think this KBS 48 oz. set marks quite a value compared to the 22 oz BBA bombers and even the 500ml 16.9 oz BCBCS bottles. I guess I understand the "hate" and I may just be in a lucky area. A 12 %abv stout should never NOT be bought if the four pack is below $25.. But that's just my opinion. Even at $25, its a deal.
Bottom line, given the current quantities and availability, this is a frickin steal (for my area). Nearly the same price as a a 22 oz bomber, and more than DOUBLE the quantity. $26/ 4 pack may be my limit. But I do get why some don't see it as worth it.
For my state, who doesnt get much, and Im happy when I see AVBC Blood Orange Gose, I guess I consider this a win and move on.
When I consider what FBS is available for compared to a KBS, I just don't know how to really react. I think I would easily want FBS at the much cheaper price point, but why not have both? I guess for the first time, and never to happen in my state again, there is a luxury aspect to enjoying both KBS and FBS without a drop... If anyone needs or wants to try one in a trade, it'd be at cost.. Cant beat that.
For my area,
IRREGARDLESS of the ABV, this KBS marked about a $9.65/ 22 oz. bomber, on a price/oz basis. That seems unheard of for a world class product. It was pretty much were BCBS was in my area (for a two year span).
I guess it's all numbers, but a $26/four pack is definitely better than a $16/22 oz. bomber, given the same sort of quality.
