A few months ago I posted an article about Sam Adams and mentioned that Tanakaya in Tokyo had a bottle of Utopias for 17200 yen. Well, now that bottle is in my apartment. This is how that happened.
This is my friend Lance. He is dressed as viking for Halloween and, yes, that is a Butt Pirate standing behind him.Lance is coming to visit me on May 24th. My friend Rob is coming as well. It will be a good time. Anyway, Lance is a man of principles. Lance is also a man who loves Sam Adams beer. One day, Lance told me that he was going to drink every beer that Sam Adams makes. I mean, not every beer, but every different beer. The pinnacle of this drinking feat is finding a bottle of Utopias. The last time Sam Adams made it was a 12,000 bottle release in 2007. Lance scoured the internet and the cheapest bottle of Utopias to be found was $300. Damn you supply and demand! I then got an emergency phone call to say he needed that bottle of Utopias that was in Tokyo! I said, ok, but it's not going to be that easy. I don't exactly live in Tokyo, but I will see what I can do.
Tanakaya only sells beer from their store so them shipping to me was out. DH and Nick were going to meet up with Chuwy at Baird Numazu taproom over Golden Week. I thought about asking Chuwy to buy it and make the hand off to DH but... it seemed a bit risky. Would the bottle stay intact with all these drunks touching it?
As luck would have it, Jennifer, the ALT I team teach with, was going to Tokyo to pick up her sister and would chill from Saturday to Tuesday. She also dislikes beer. Perfect! I gave her directions to Tanakaya, a picture of the Utopias, cash for expenses incurred and, of course, the prize itself.
My review of the Utopias so far: The bottle is pretty.
Now, it sits and waits for Lance's arrival.
Now, it sits and waits for Lance's arrival.
8 comments:
Bastard.
You should have used me as a courier.
I only charge 10-20%.
I would've left you some.
p.s. Tanakaya delivered to my home a few years back. I did have to buy the booze in the shop but then they delivered no problem and for a cheap price, too.
Utopias -- I've heard about it, I've seen the bottle in question, I've even touched that bottle. Hopefully it will be worth the price and the trouble in obtaining it!
Chris...Lance will love it! Thanks for the great times last weekend. I'll post a recap and pics sometime soon. For sure I am counting the days until I can come back to Numazu, and it will be soon!
my god...i bow down before you. I never thought anyone would shell out for it - from a guy green with envy!
I never thought anyone would buy it either! I mean, I bought it, but just for the time being. I'm curious as hell what this mess tastes like.
I think the best way to go about overcoming those insane prices is to share out the costs and have a group tasting. Could be an interesting way to discover new beers, too.
Also cuts down on the liver damage.
You also get to hear other people's opinions in real time and on exactly the same beer and one that is poured at the same temp and in the same condition and surroundings.
Good luck on your tasting, boys.
I hope it's as wonderful as the build up. It's not everyday you can get your hands on one of those.
Um yea Envy says the least.
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