Look what was waiting for me when I got home last night – a fine selection of Schlafly beers, all courtesy of my new best friend Troika Brodsky, Communications Director at Schlafly.
The wheels got turning when I put up a post about Schlafly choosing to use contract breweries instead of expanding their capacity in St. Louis to keep up with mounting demand for their products. Troika read the post and crafted a really smart reply. So smart in fact that I gave it a post of its own.
I emailed Troika to let him know I’d done so, and we swapped a few emails back and forth, during which time I mentioned that I love Schlafly beers (their 2008 Reserve Imperial Stout is my favorite beer in the world lately) and that I was bummed I couldn’t find Schlafly Pumpkin Ale around where I live. He said no worries, he’d hook me up.
And hook me up he did! Not only did I receive six Schlafly Pumpkin Ales (which I loved), I also received two Oktoberfests, two Kolsch ales, a Whole Foods Rye Bock lager, and my favorite – a 2008 Reserve Imperial Stout (which I can no longer get in these parts). Quite a haul of alcohol!
If this tells us anything, it’s that bloggers should always pop off about things they’re probably wrong about, necessitating a company representative to set things straight. Then pounce! Or… that Troika is a solid guy who remembered to send me some goodies even though he was sick as a dog when we swapped emails and is probably swamped getting ready for GABF.
I should also say that no amount of bribery will ever make me say nice things about someone’s products, but in the case of Schlafly’s, I was already saying nice things anyway, so this is just icing on the cake.
And as you can probably tell by my response, we’re not so big that free boxes of beer show up on our doorsteps every day. Also, Don and I try to be transparent as possible about what free stuff we receive so you kids don’t ever think we’re for sale. We are not (at least it’ll take more than $50 of beer).
At any rate, this is like Chistmas in September – Thanks, Troika!
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Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
I hope you don’t share with Don! My 2008 the other night was fantastic.
Don’t worry – I NEVER share with Don!
Also, the 2008 is heaven. I joked with my wife that I should cellar it, but that it probably won’t see October 1st.
Hmm… never had (or even heard of) the Rye Bock. I’m going to have to check that out.
I’d look at Whole Foods – looks like a custom brew for the store…
God! I hate that Three Floyds Dark Lord is so hard to get. I bet it isn’t even that good. Or what about Portsmouth’s Kate the Great? Lame. And then there’s Pliny the Younger… All sucky beers that just build up hype so that beer bloggers like you (and to a lesser extent I) will go on and on about how great they are! Whatever, man.
Do you think that will work?
Probably not. I don’t think it counts if it’s in the comments on someone else’s blog. I don’t think you’re showing enough initiative…
Talk about a nice haul. Well done Jimbo!
I was pretty excited when I saw two boxes…
I’m a victim of envy!…pure and simple!
I could see why! Lucky me!!
Great I can’t even get these beers from my hometown here in California.Prosit!
Brady
Too bad – it’s good stuff!
I’m glad everything got to you safely. The Rye Bock is an exclusive brew that we did with our local Whole Foods (their beer buyer, Andy, brewed the beer with us). It is an Organic Rye Bock, we just couldn’t legally say Organic on the bottle. More info can be found here: http://www.schlafly.com/beers/styles/rye-bock/. I’m not positive, but the Whole Foods here in St. Louis is probably the only one that has it. It’s also at both of our breweries. Enjoy, and keep spreading the good word about craft beer!
-Troika
I drank the Rye Bock last night and think I need to move to St. Louis and shop at Whole Foods – a malty dry treat. Truly awesome. Thanks for thinking to put this one in the mix!
The Rye Bock sounds intriguing. Is it available in the Mid-Atlantic region?
Also, I’ve had a very good organic beer out of VT (can’t remember the name right now unfortunately.) I don’t think they had any problems getting it labeled as organic though.
They only sell the Rye Bock in St. Louis. 😦
And I’ve never had a great organic beer…
A few days delayed here, but you need to try and get your hands on some Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) beers. As far as I know, they’re all organic and also really good. Their Ace of Spades Imperial IPA is simply phenomenal.
Also, Sierra Nevada’s Estate Ale is organic and I’ve heard it’s really good (the 2 bottles in my cupboard are calling out to me to try, but I’m waiting for a special occasion).
Not sure I’ve seen HUB, but “Hopworks” sounds familiar. Not sure if someone else uses it too, but I’ll keep an eye out at the beer store.