I was recently made aware of a most excellent "creaft" brew made in very small quantities by Fuller's. I really like their "London Pride" so my curiosity was piqued. It's called "Vintage Ale" and it's bottle conditioned to age like fine wine. My brother is partner in a beverage distributor (for those of you familiar with Pennsylvania's pathetic Liquor Control Board and their anitquated rules and regulations, I need not say more) and told me about it. He was buying a case for about $70.00 + tax, at cost mind you, and asked if I was interested. I figured it would be a one-time thing so yes, count me in. He calls me days later and tells me their cost is $114.00. Yikes! For a case of beer? And only 12 bottles to boot, although they are quite large bottles at about 25 ounces each I believe. Needless to say, I told him not to order me any, and he opted out as well.

So last week he asked the salesman if he could get him a special deal on a case, but got rejected, but he did offer some good news. The wholesaler screwed up and charged a much lower price to a number of local distributors, so most have it on their shelves for a much lower price than normal because their mark-up is usually 20-25%. One nearby had it priced at $69.94, so I went in immediately and bought the sucker. If they go to replace it, they will have to pay the $114, but I certainly wasn't going to tell them that.

So I bring the booty home and open it to find each bottle individually boxed, like a nice bottle of booze, along with a seal over the cap and a very detailed label to describe just how great it will taste. The bottle has a "best if consumed by 2007" or something like that, but the label tells you they are required to put a date on the bottle but that it will get better with time and will last much longer. They suggest storing it in a cool, dry place, standing up as you would expect.

So anybody out there ever try this stuff? I plan to give some of it out as gifts to friends who appreciate good beer, and keep the rest for myself. I'm going to wait until the holidays to pop open the first one though, and keep it for special occasions.

Swish