He wasn't lying. It was mobbed. With annoying Christmas drinkers. Spending 20 minutes staring at the hundreds of whiskies. Get out of my way you fuckers. I need to find the cheapest Islay. I can only dream of buying Lagavullin.
I went back today. Far less crowded. No Abt on the shelves.
"Sorry, I was wrong. I think I forgot to order."
Well, there's Christmas fucked. I didn't say. I sadly surveyed the depleted shelves and settled on Guinness Special Export. And one bottle of Westvleteren 12. A good substitute for Abt. And not too crazily-priced at 4.95 euros. But I can't afford Drinkalongathon quantities.
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Abt.
After sobbing a while at home, I remembered the Gall & Gall on Amsteveenseweg. They usually stock it. But how many bottles would they have? Enough for Drinkalongathon?
I braved the long trek there, over the river and beyond. Five bottles on the shelf. Could I stretch that little out over the whole of Christmas?
"Do you have any more bottles of Abt?"
"In the fridge."
Christmas saved.
I don't suppose you know whether St. B's Christmas Ale is worth picking up?
ReplyDeleteDo you like St Bernardous Christmas ale Ron?
ReplyDeleteRon , do you find much difference between Abt & their Christmas beer? Where I live, the Christmas seems more available.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the Christmas Abt for a few years, so I can't really comment on it. In the past, it's been quite similar to the standard Abt.
ReplyDeleteGoing to have Postcard brewing Broombridge wee heavy christmas ale and Porterhouse around the clock imperial stout 2022 for Christmas.
DeleteOscar
Yes but how many bits of string will I need?
ReplyDeleteIs it good on your cornflakes on Christmas morning?
ReplyDeleteEd,
ReplyDeletedidn't you read the pre-Drinkalongathon post? That gives all the string details.
Can't believe I missed that. I'm mostly sorted but need to rush out and get an apple now.
DeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeletethere's gin for the cornflakes.
My store had a choice between four small cans of St. Bernardus Christmas Ale or one big bottle, so I went with the bottle for the Drinkalongathon.
ReplyDeleteI suppose someone will tell me it's not an either/or choice.
I will sidestep that issue to point out a more general, but just as frustrating, issue with telephoning stores inquiring about their inventory.
ReplyDeleteThey will ALWAYS have the brand and variety you seek - somewhere.
Just to get you in the shop; where upon discovering they really do not have it, you will purchase something else from them rather than trekking to another shop.
Good on you for remembering another shop and purchasing it there. 8=D}