It always pays to look

The margins on craft are much higher than on BMC, though quantity deals are less likely to the retailer. What I'd like to see is that these under the radar spots carry the RIGHT craft offerings instead of getting shelf turds from the distributor. Even if they get nice beer; if it doesn't sell they will not order more.

 

I found a few sleeper shops with good stuff operating under this philosophy...

 

Can't agree more. Went into a small deli in California a couple of weeks ago and came out with 3 bottles of Parabola. I left the 4th bottle behind, karma and all...

 

Went into a shop I rarely visit because they had a founders tasting going on. Found my first ever KBS...in the last week of May.

 

It's been a few years, but wandering thru a beer store more killing time than anything on a lunch break and came across 7 lonely bottles of Kbs sitting in the bottom of a random bottle cooler pushed to the back.

 

Completely agree with being open to looking into stores that may not look the part. But, just like any other store, be mindful of those bottling dates.

 

Love finding these gems in out of the way places-------


------but usually find more than the normal amount of old beer. The non-savvy non-date looking majority out there unfortunately often end up with less than ideal product.

 

Agreed. However I think that habanero sculpin is one of the worst beers ever. Took one sip and proceeded to drain poor. There is a difference between a beer with some heat and one that is purely hot and over powering.

 

Sounds like a case of searching for the "right beers being sold in the wrong market"

From this article: http://www.eater.com/drinks/2015/6/...-dusties-the-key-to-scoring-an-excellent-deal

 

It pays to look and to find those hole in the wall shops and frequent them. It's been my experience that if they have a nice beer selection it means they have a couple special beers in the back for the regulars. If you build a relationship then some tasty doors might be opened for you.

 

I found a whole case of Parabola at a gas station just last week. They had thrown all the boxes away but I bought all 6 anyway.

 

I walked into a convenience store/ sandwich shop in LA a couple weekends ago and found FW Barrelworks, NYF Root beers, and a huge selection of Lost Abbey, Bruery, and Almanacs. This was a huge haul for stopping in for a bottle of water before heading back to Las Vegas.

 

On a road trip up to the Olympic Peninsula last year, we stopped into a truck stop in the middle of nowhere - The Kamilche Trading Post. Their beer selection - as well as their cider, liquor and wine selection - was insane.

 

Just this past weekend I went to a liquor that i said to my self that i would never ever go again to. I ended swinging by because i was close by. I came out with a Pliny in my hand

 

In a gas station near my parents in Northern VA, I was able to pick up a four pack each of Avery's Tweak and Pump[KY]n as well as two bomber of Avery's Kaiser. That was an exceptional and surprising haul, I tell you!

 

As an aside..how did you like it? At my local distributor I saw 2 full cases...one of Habanero Sculpin, one of Grapefruit...I did not get either (probably a big mistake)

 

I agree.

Another adage could be, "When out with your spouse look for any opportunity to buy beer."