Anyone sampled the Kirkland Beers at Costco?

T.C.O.B. · 11-03-2009, 06:02 PM

I was perusing the beer section at the Madison Heights Costco today, and low and behold, they finally have the Kirkland Beer there. It is a case of bottles for $18. There are 4 types of beer in there (6 of each kind). There is a Pale Ale, an Amber Ale, a Hefeweizen, and a German Lager. I am sure the beer snobs will stick their noses up at it, but even if it is just ok, the price I don't think can be beat. I know that other states have had this available for a while now, but this is the first I have seen it in Michigan.

Also, I hear the Kirkland Vodka is outstanding. WOTS is that the makers of Grey Goose also are bottling the Kirkland brand for Costco. Grey Goose is denying that claim. I have yet to see that vodka, but apparently the Kirkland brand is coming from the same place in France as Grey Goose, which obviously leads you to believe they are making it.

Spartan_Don · 11-03-2009, 06:36 PM

Very cool, I will have to give both the beer and the vodka a try.

BrewSwillis · 11-03-2009, 06:36 PM

Looks like it might be worth a try:

Quote:

Review: Kirkland Signature Beer from Costco | Crumby Reviews

The beers are brewed and bottled by Hoppen Und Malz Brewing Company out of San Jose, CA. The box comes with 24 beers consisting of 4 different types of beers: Pale Ale, German Style Lager, Amber Ale, and Hefeweizen. There are six of each beer in a box.

EDIT: I guess they are actually brewed by the Gordon Biersch Brewery:

Quote:

Gordon Biersch Brewery is an American brewery founded by Dan Gordon and Dean Biersch. Gordon, a graduate from the five-year brewing engineering program at Weihenstephan, and Biersch opened their first brewery restaurant in Palo Alto, California in July 1988. Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group, Inc. is a brewery restaurant group now operated independently out of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In November 1995, the two founders and their original investors, wanting to expand their then-$20 million business, accepted an $11.2 million investment from the Fertitta family of Las Vegas[1][2]. Lorenzo Fertitta, a 1991 graduate of the University of San Diego, became the controlling owner. Gordon Biersch currently brews beer for Costco and Trader Joe's under contract. The Gordon Biersch brewery and bottling plant is located in San Jose, California.

Will Hunting · 11-03-2009, 07:38 PM

No but I love their socks, undershirts, milk, diapers, formula and raspberries.

T.C.O.B. · 11-03-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartan_Don

Very cool, I will have to give both the beer and the vodka a try.

I definitely saw the beer. I did not check to see if the vodka was there or not though. Not sure if that stuff has made its way to Michigan yet or not.

SpartanGA · 11-03-2009, 08:07 PM

I thought Grey Goose was a huge marketing gimmick and they also do not make their own vodka.

Regardless, I have not tried Kirkland vodka, beer or their wine.

Maybe they will have a sample cart?

Loose Stools · 11-03-2009, 08:36 PM

Most Kirkland items are very good. Dishsoap and detergent blows, though.

pulling69 · 11-03-2009, 08:39 PM

How are the whores there?

Hank Moody · 11-03-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpartanGA

I thought Grey Goose was a huge marketing gimmick and they also do not make their own vodka.

Regardless, I have not tried Kirkland vodka, beer or their wine.

Maybe they will have a sample cart?

Wrong.

Hank Moody · 11-03-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loose Stools

Most Kirkland items are very good. Dishsoap and detergent blows, though.

This is why Costco kicks ass. That Kirkland brand is made up of very quality items - even the food is outstanding.

green night · 11-03-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpartanGA;6283695[B

]I thought Grey Goose was a huge marketing gimmick and they also do not make their own vodka. [/B]

Regardless, I have not tried Kirkland vodka, beer or their wine.

Maybe they will have a sample cart?

I think grey goose got involved with the mob in NY. The first try and the investment failed and the guy got his butt wooped by the italian mob guy working for a NY family.

Spartan_Don · 11-03-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank Moody

This is why Costco kicks ass. That Kirkland brand is made up of very quality items - even the food is outstanding.

I recently bought -- and frequently wear -- the Kirkland jeans. I guess I'm officially old.

reg_hartner · 11-03-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartan_Don

I recently bought -- and frequently wear -- the Kirkland jeans. I guess I'm officially old.

I draw the line at jeans.

But the Vodka is good. On the rocks it's smooth and clean. I'm not much of a vodka drinker, but this was good.

shioda · 11-03-2009, 11:10 PM

I tried the beer. I would pass on it. Just not that good.

fishrose · 11-03-2009, 11:24 PM

fishrose · 11-03-2009, 11:25 PM

Also, does anyone know if you need a membership to buy alcohol at Costco? I know you don't at Sam's, and I think it's a legal thing, but I'd rather not make the pilgrimage to Madison Heights just to get turned away at the door. I'd really like to try the Kirkland Vodka, I've heard amazing things.

BrewSwillis · 11-04-2009, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishrose

Also, does anyone know if you need a membership to buy alcohol at Costco? I know you don't at Sam's, and I think it's a legal thing, but I'd rather not make the pilgrimage to Madison Heights just to get turned away at the door. I'd really like to try the Kirkland Vodka, I've heard amazing things.

I've read on the internets (take that for what it's worth) that Michigan is one of like 10 states where you don't need a membership to buy alcohol at membership clubs. I guess you could give them a call before you venture out there.

T.C.O.B. · 11-04-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishrose

Also, does anyone know if you need a membership to buy alcohol at Costco? I know you don't at Sam's, and I think it's a legal thing, but I'd rather not make the pilgrimage to Madison Heights just to get turned away at the door. I'd really like to try the Kirkland Vodka, I've heard amazing things.

You do not need a membership to buy alcohol at the Madison Hts Costco. There is a big sign right outside the entry door stating so.

If you are making the trip for the vodka, you might call to first make sure they have it. I know they have the beer there, but I did not check to see if they had the vodka there. Next time I am over there, I will check and see.......

incubuscircles2 · 11-04-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank Moody

This is why Costco kicks ass. That Kirkland brand is made up of very quality items - even the food is outstanding.

FTR, their sport drink (AKA version of Gatorade) is complete garbage.

Cliff Claven 2 · 11-04-2009, 08:41 AM

Is this why Bell's has vanished from the aisles at Costco? I wasn't to happy that I couldn't buy Oberon at Costco over the summer.

Gordon Biersch - not a fan. I lived in the SF Bay Area for 2 years and it was huge out there.
I agree with others though, Costco is awesome and almost all of their Kirkland brand products are great.

Chris Rucker Chris Rucker · 11-04-2009, 09:02 AM

How much is the Kirkland Vodka, and what is the savings vs. Grey Goose?

rmaximp · 11-04-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliff Claven 2

Is this why Bell's has vanished from the aisles at Costco? I wasn't to happy that I couldn't buy Oberon at Costco over the summer.

Gordon Biersch - not a fan. I lived in the SF Bay Area for 2 years and it was huge out there.
I agree with others though, Costco is awesome and almost all of their Kirkland brand products are great.

I got Bells Amber this year in Livonia

Had the vodka a while ago, I thought is was really good. I would defiantly give the beer a shot, went looking for a case last week and all they had was bud, and corona.

T.C.O.B. · 11-04-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliff Claven 2

Is this why Bell's has vanished from the aisles at Costco? I wasn't to happy that I couldn't buy Oberon at Costco over the summer.

Gordon Biersch - not a fan. I lived in the SF Bay Area for 2 years and it was huge out there.
I agree with others though, Costco is awesome and almost all of their Kirkland brand products are great.

Madison Hts Costco had Bell's all summer long. Had Oberon in the case and the mini-keg. Just saw a case of Bell's Amber Ale there not too long ago actually.

Hank Moody · 11-04-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Rucker Chris Rucker

How much is the Kirkland Vodka, and what is the savings vs. Grey Goose?

Very interested in this question. Someone. Anyone.

T.C.O.B. · 11-04-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Rucker Chris Rucker

How much is the Kirkland Vodka, and what is the savings vs. Grey Goose?

I think the Kirkland vodka is about 40-50% cheaper than the Grey Goose. I think it is like $29.99 for a 1.75L bottle, while GG is like $53 for that size give or take a few cents...