How to be a Truck Chaser

Not trying to impress anyone, just excited about getting some good beer so I posted a photo just like everyone else on that thread. But since You're* impressed, I'll take it. Cheers.

 

I did this for KBS 4-5 years ago. I live in Atlanta and pretty much every hyped beer is gone before I leave work. Unless you are jobless or have a boss who has no clue where you are, KBS is sold out everywhere before I get off from work, and I work a normal shift. I got super tired of trying to find even a single bottle of KBS one year, I just traded for it. WAY easier! It's gotten to the point I just don't care anymore and don't even try to get things like KBS, Mexican Cake, Black Note, and a ton of other beers I've forgotten about. Every once in a while I luck out and find one, but it's pretty rare and I'm ok with that.

 

Be a regular at one or more of these liquor stores. Make sure they know you. Ask them about it. If they know you're consistently adding to their bottom line they'll be much more likely to tell you when, or even offer to hold one behind the counter for you.

 

I used to work for a large wholesaler and sold a good amount of beer. If a random person somehow tracked me down and called me to ask when a certain store was getting a certain beer there's no doubt in my mind I'd hang up on him. Either that or I'd tell him they're getting it 2 days after they really are.

 

Depends on the store, some aren't going to put it on the floor just because it came off the truck. Inventory issues. I really dug the way Walton Boulevard Spirits in Bentonville handled their rare beers releases ( barrel aged ). They held them all for a special customer appreciation day, had food, free tastings, door prizes & did a drawing to let people pick first & still had limits to spread the wealth. I actually frequent my favorite Tulsa area store less, because they hype the releases via social media & they are always cleaned out by the time I can make the 90 mile drive. Other stores now get my business as I still find these beers on their shelves as they know these beers will sell & don't really need the hype.

I do miss the good old days when this crap wasn't common, not it is way too common. I don't make special trips for certain beers any more I just reap the benefits of ever improving beer scene & spend way too much cash when I do stumble on to stuff I want. I do always try not clear a shelf unless it was there the last time I was there. Too many great beers out there now to worry too much. Mind you I haven't actively traded in years, so that may be the main reason I don't sweat it...

 

True truck chasers don't share their ways. Why increase competition?

 

There is definetly something to what your saying....it makes the most sense. But there is something in us as humans that makes us want things that others cant have, or want something thats perceived as hard to get.

 

Don't be a truck chaser

 

Befriend a beer manager. And by "befriend", I mean, get to know them, let them know what you like, take their suggestions based on what you tell them. Spend some money in the store, not just for a rare release. I have a lot of regulars who always know they can count on me to save goodies for them. Why do I save goodies for certain people? Because I see them weekly, they buy stuff, and don't just show up once every 2 months and say, " Hey, do you have any Zombie Dust?"
The other upside to befriending the beer manager, we trade, a lot. We will hook you up with those, too!

 

I do it all the time. Especially during ski season in VT....sometimes it's hard to avoid them even when you aren't lookin for em.

 

I've wanted to chase Trillium trucks....but for the last 6 months all of their beers sell direct from the Fort Point Brewery...

 

Then YOU my friend are a bad person

 

Next level truck chasing:

Truck chaser chaser. There may or may not be a felony or two involved in this approach, however, so pursue at your own risk...

 

I use caltrops to immobilize the truck, then I approach the driver side door from the rear. With shotgun in hand, I wave kindly at the driver. They often jump out of the truck without even saying anything. I just leave the money on their seat and take what I can carry. There are a couple counties in MD that just never seem to get Abraxas. I dunno, but maybe that's my fault.

 

The best things come when you do something and expect nothing in return. You're a true BA there good sir.

 

Well, if you were a regular at my store you would get a bottle held for you. I take care of my regulars based on their likes/wants/etc. If I get a hot item I hold it for any number of days as long as you support my regular store. It works both ways.

 

Truck Chaser would be a great name for a beer!

 

All these suggestions on how to get the good stuff, and not the first mention of the prices. No wonder the brewers are drooling. Hey, I just paid $17 for a bottle of pumpkin beer in August. But, the guy at the beer store held it for me. I guess that makes me a winner.