On tap in the cities

this. and with the capabilities of using a site like that findabeernow, it couldn't be easier these days to submit up-to-date lists. preferring the use of the phone over a website is pretty ass-backwards.

 

I'm not Tim, but I have a little bit of insight I think.

We do not have our tap list online for a few reasons:
1) It is hard to keep up, I don't work 2 days in a row and when I come back half my taps may have changed. Kegs always seem to kick in the middle of some type of rush (brunch, lunch, dinner, late night) also we don't want to mislead anybody that we may still have a keg tapped when in fact it kicked a few days ago or maybe an hour ago!

2) Lots of these new "Beer Bars" don't want to do their own homework when figuring out what to put on tap, so they really like being able to go online and let the other beer bars do all the work and tell them what to look for. You cant stop them from coming in and writing down your taps but at least they are buying a beer.

We try to let people know when we have something fun or exciting on utilizing our facebook and twitter, which I understand isn't the same.

Beers to you!
Laura

 

Thanks for your response, Laura.

How do your employees like answering calls inquiring about what's on tap? It seems to me that whenever I call places (haven't called yours, fwiw), the person sighs deeply and acts like they're having their molars removed. And I purposefully don't try to do it during busy times...If I'm debating between a couple places for happy hour, I'll call at 3pm.

 

Good point on the phone calls. FWIW, I personally only call when I really want to try something, about three times in my life. I am a believer that I can always find something good in a beer bar, so I typically just go.

 

I think this is a great thing to do. I use both of those more often than a tap list or phone calls.

 

Yeah this seems reasonable and would seem to benefit the customers and the business (fewer calls, it would also likely drive interest in people coming to their place by having a reliable list on-line people can check and get interested in). I definitely would not be upset if a keg blew out that day after it was listed that morning. Kind of goes with the territory. But if something is still listed that changed a week ago then that list is not reliable.

 

This has been a pet peeve of mine for a long time. The Muddy Pig hasn't changed the tap list in years. The Happy Gnome just updated theirs after 5 weeks. Town Hall is terrible about it. I love all these places but I frequent them far less than I would if they had updated, reliable lists.Have someone come in a half hour early each day to update the list and I have to believe it would pay off. First place to do it gets my business.

 

I think it's sad that some people rely only on what is listed online to decide if they will go or not. As far as Town Hall, I go weekly because I know I will ALWAYS like something they have on. But the other bars, I only go for special releases, if ever.

Some of these places, it's just unreasonable to ask them to update it through out the day. Happy Gnome has so many bottles and kegs it is easy to run out of multiples daily.

As far as calling, if it is somewhere with a HUGE tap list, I COMPLETELY understand them not enjoying reciting the whole list over the phone. That's like walking into my shop and asking me to name every model to tire we sell. It's annoying to say it multiple times. If I ever call a place, I as about a specific beer. I often confirm the beer I see online.

If people really have concerns that the list isn't updated and they see a beer they like, call and ask about that beer your interested in having. But don't make them recite a whole list. They get paid often basic wages, that require them to be moving and turning tables to make money, and taking up too much of their time is rude to them.

 

Exactly... what's the worst that will happen? You have to order a Masala Mama. Bummer

 

Town Hall is pretty damn good about updating their seasonals on the website in my opinion. New seasonals are usually up on the website within a day. I've never had any of their guest beers so I can't speak to that, and their website is a nightmare but that is a different issue.

 

Is it sad when attending a concert to want to know what band is playing? Sports event....what team the locals are playing? There are so many great craft bar choices in this area that it would be nice to know what place has the best taps that night not 5 weeks ago. If THB is updating their list more frequently its a recent thing.

 

They can be spotty sometimes. Mango Ginger Mama sat online for a week after it was gone. (One of the best variations btw). But it's easy enough to call and ask if that one beer is still on.

 

You could use a phone and ask for their seasonals. It takes 2 minutes. It's how we use to do it back in the old days before this fancy internetz

 

Yeah, I have called a few times, but usually I just go. Its a 10 minute walk from work and like you said, if they don't have what I am looking for I am pretty happy to drink a pint of Mama.

 

You could use a phone and ask for their seasonals. It takes 2 minutes. It's how we use to do it back in the old days before this fancy internetz]

Calling ten bars and finding out whats on tap in my fav categories seems a bit much. Hard to believe we arent all in favor of more frequent updating.

 

I'm not saying I wouldn't love it if they all did. I'm just saying I understand why they can't. Between budget staffing and covering the people that are already there, a lot of times it's just not possible. So I call places. It works very well for me.

 

http://www.longfellowgrill.com/beer_taps.php

I try very hard to keep this up to date but feel free to call and ask 612.721.2711. I know my fellow Blue Plate managers at 3 Squares, and Groveland Tap work hard at it too. As a beer drinker and not speaking professionally, I like variety and most of the places mentioned you will like something they have regardless.

 

Thanks!

 

I also really appreciate that you post when the list was updated. That makes it quite clear whether that list is up-to-date or a bit out-of-date. That's one of the things that frustrates me most - when I can't tell if a beer list hasn't been updated in ages.

 

Would it work to post the regular lineup of beer? Say you have a big enough supply of 8 beers that you rarely run out of, post those as your standard lineup and maybe have a list of rotating ones? A place could just update those periodically with the disclaimer about them not being current every second of the day I guess. At least you know which beer you can fall back on when it comes down to it.