With apologies to the Blues and the Cardinals, one of the hottest tickets in town is when Perennial Artisan Ales release some of their barrel-aged stouts. Last year’s BA Abraxas day saw people lining up in freezing temperature to get a couple of bottles of these velvety wonders.

Seeing how there is no way to please everyone, Perennial has put together a system to try and please as many people as possible when it comes to getting these special bottles. I’ll let Perennial’s Emily Wymore fill you in with the details:

Option #1: EARLY RESERVATION

Our first priority was to make sure that our local supporters are given the first opportunity to purchase their bottles. So, this week (Wednesday, March 19th-Saturday, March 22nd), we will be taking reservations in the tasting room for 100 full allocations (2 bottles per person, $25/bottle. Bottles will be paid for at time of pickup, not at time of reservation One reservation per person).

When a reservation is made, you will need to present a valid ID along with an email address. Early reservation bottles will be available for pickup beginning Thursday, April 3rd at 4:00 PM. If your bottles are picked up on Thursday, April 3rd, you will be guaranteed a draft pour of BA 17 as well. This will be the only opportunity to have a guaranteed draft pour.

Although we will be tapping kegs on Friday and Saturday as well, this will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Bottles can be picked up anytime between Thursday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 12th during normal tasting room hours. Any bottles remaining after Saturday, April 12th will go on sale in our tasting room Wednesday, April 16th.

Option #2: LOTTERY

This year, we are also incorporating a lottery system into our barrel-aged releases. When the lottery becomes active, there will be a link on the homepage of our website (www.perennialbeer.com). You will be asked to provide your name and email address. Multiple entries will be discarded. One entry per person, please.

The lottery will be open from 12:00 AM Sunday, March 23rd-12:00 AM Sunday, March 30th. Names will be randomly selected on Sunday, March 30th and all entrants will be notified immediately. If your name is selected, you will have the ability to purchase a full two bottle allocation.

Bottles will be available for pick up/purchase Friday, April 4th-Saturday, April 12th during normal tasting room hours. An original, photocopied or mobile photo of valid state ID of the winner and a copy of the email announcing them as a winner will be required upon pickup and purchase of each bottle. Any unclaimed bottles will go on sale in our tasting room Wednesday, April 16th.

Even if you have reserved your bottles with option #1, you will still be allowed to enter the lottery!

And for those of you that are wondering, Barrel-Aged Sump Coffee Stout will be released May 1st-3rd and Barrel-Aged Abraxas will be released June 5th-7th. Look for more details about these two releases in April!