Help at the beer store: That awkward moment when...

Seriously. I cringe and often politely interject when I'm at a bar or store and somebody asks for Dunkel or something and is offered a porter because "it's dark".

Worst one was a guy looking for Rogue Hazelnut because he was new to craft beer and it sounded interesting to him. The a-hole at the store convinced him to buy a bunch of sours instead because they are so awesome.

 

Only grocery stores and gas stations sell beer out here so there isn't a plethora of help. I often find people staring aimlessly at the beer selection. I sometimes offer assistance. They look at me like I'm crazy. Oh, do you work here? No, I just like beer. I wish people would of done the same for me back in the day.

 

my advice is try to be polite. it's best to avoid breaking faces all around. in my limited experience, the few times this scenario has arisen, i got the impression the store persons were actually relieved i had some opinions to offer.

 

I was at a bottle shop last night with my wife. She wanted to buy some Cerise from last year and asked someone who was introduced as their beer guy if he thought that it was still good. His response was that it was a stout, so it should be creamier with age. He then added that it was marked down so that would make up for any off flavors. Unbelievable.

 

That's a horrible move on the part of the store. Might lead to someone new quickly losing interest by thinking that all craft beer is similar to sours. Would be much better to create a long term customer than a big one time sale. That's a disappointing behavior to hear about.

 

Wow...........I'm dying to know what your response was to this.

 

I do this from time to time at my LHBS

 

That's cool that you had a receptive person on the other end who took your advice; and I think they will enjoy all of those beers. I tend to bite my tongue these days unless I get a really clear read on the situation- sometimes the salesperson doesn't want somebody stepping on their toes, and sometimes the customer thinks they know it all. But, yeah, it feels good to be helpful.

There was this one time, though, where I thought I had the perfect advice and just had to chime in. It was around the time a few years back when Dinkel Acker Pils was no longer being imported over here. This dude (denim vest, tats everywhere) was really bemoaning the fact that he couldn't find it anywhere, and how the world was going to hell and all that- so I tried to help out the store owner and made the simple suggestion that he make the best of it and get some Jever or even Sly Fox Pikeland Pils. Man, did I lose credibility in his eyes immediately upon suggesting a 'domestic' beer. Whatevs- it was his loss; he would have loved that beer if he had an open mind.

Just try to be helpful, though, and most of the time it'll work out. The best times are when you can just sense the enthusiasm building on the other end.

 

Yes I have entered a conversation with a beer salesman and another person, just yesterday actually. Now we're gonna trade some beers because he was from out of town. Just be polite, most everyone at a beer store wants to talk about beer, and you can tell immediately if they don't.

 

Also I hate when the people working at beer stores try to sell me beers and im just thinking the whole time, "I know more then you".

On the flip side of this, when the customer knows nothing at all. I went to a beer bar recently and there was some guy sitting there drinking a amber colored beer, apparently not a big fan. He then asks the bartender if he has any "ales" on tap. I cringed watching the bartender explain that everything they had was an ale.

 

My first trip to the States once I was of age led me to a cool beer/pizza/variety store just south of Ann Arbor. The only real assistance I was offered was a nice woman, who seeing that I was new to the Michigan beer scene mentioned that Bell's Double Cream Stout was a fantastic beer, but she unfortunately didn't see any here. She left, and then boom - a lone 6 pack waiting in the fridge - obviously it was meant to be. I really enjoyed those beers and appreciated the friendly help.

I'll agree with the consensus that you need to sense enthusiasm and interest before you offer help to someone. Back in Ontario I gladly help steer visitors and especially exchange students towards the craft beer section at the LCBO, and inform them that Canadian, Blue and Sleeman's aren't really what they should be looking at when they search for Canadian beer. I really do appreciate a good beer salesman who knows his salt about the product they sell though, it's the best way to get my repeat business, even if your prices are a bit high.

 

Almost every time I call a beer store about a limited release, I get the "what beer?" most stores around here have employes with a small amount of knowledge or love for craft beer.

 

I'm glad I know more about beer than 99% of our customers. we have some moderately knowledgeable staff at my store (chain) but when it comes to something specific, they always call for me.

Just today I had a fellow employee ask me if we had a "firewalker something" for a customer that called. I instantly knew they were looking for FW Parabola, and unfortunately, we dont have it yet...

And we have a regular who buys 3 Duvel 750mls and we were sold out for memorial day. I told her about Ommegang's BPA, and she was delighted to try it out.

If I were in another store browsing and I overheard a store employee having a hard time answering a customers questions, I would probably offer my advice, but I would stay away from correcting that employees statements. I just would hate if a pretentious customer came in thinking theyre better than me (even if they are...), its just bad for the stores business overall.

 

Happens a lot when I go to certain stores. I was at a party store (that had a fairly good craft selection) and a customer asked an employee for a good 'strong and dark' beer. The employee answered, "Guiness." As soon as I got a chance, I pulled the customer aside and had a 5 minute conversation with her. Unfortunately I think she thought I was hitting on her, when I wasn't, but ultimately I did convince her to try some Founders Breakfast Stout and Porter.

 

Happens all the time when I'm at the store. I can't even imagine how much more often I'd be approached if I had a beard, was wearing a Phish T-shirt, and reeked of patchouli.

 

I live in Maryland. I went to a store in Maryland. A guy in line in front of me had a cart full of beer. Good beer in general. But, as he was checking out, he asked the guy at the register if they carried Heady Topper by the Alchemist. The guy at the register actually looked it up in the computer. It took a while, but it turns out, they didn't carry it! Surprise.

At the same store, the beer guy asked if I needed help. When I asked about whether they were getting F-W Parabola, he told me it was probably the wrong time of year since it was a barley wine.

I think we often forget that they are just selling something. Doesn't mean they love it. And most of their knowledge is just general so they can help the most people possible.

I always try to remember that when I'm in a restaurant and my wife asks the waiter their opinion on the menu.

 

I love to go into a beer bar and ask, "what do you recommend?" and I usually get the "oh shit..." look from the server. In my opinion, the servers should know much about their product... same goes for liquor stores. I usually ignore recommendations at liquor stores.

Edit: I was at a beer bar a while back and I asked why an Irish Dry Stout was served in an 11oz. glass and was seven dollars. It's because it's from Societe and they're awesome. Sure, but it's a freakin' Irish Dry Stout! I didn't press things, but I wanted to face palm.