Schlafy Pumpkin Ale contract with Total Wine

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by johnnybgood1999, Sep 6, 2012.

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  1. johnnybgood1999

    johnnybgood1999 Savant (1,000) Oct 31, 2008 Virginia

    The local beer shop owner said they will not be getting any Schlafly Pumpkin Ale this year, due to a new contract Schlafly has with Total Wine. Has anyone heard of this? I don't know how to feel about this, as I supported Schlafly in the early years of this beer's popularity, but am feeling a little anger that I can't get it in my corner of Virginia now. I went to school and did some growing up in Missouri and kinda feel like this is selling out to a corporate entity. I know business is business, but surely there is enough demand for this product to equalize any need for a contract like this. It seems like all the guys in big urban areas are in, but consumers in smaller to mid-size areas are out and I don't like that kind of a message from a brewer. Thoughts?
     
    #1 johnnybgood1999, Sep 6, 2012
  2. stickboy1125

    stickboy1125 Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2012 Virginia

    I'm in northern virginia and most of the stores around here have/had schlafly pumpkin this year.
     
    #2 stickboy1125, Sep 6, 2012
  3. Hanzo

    Hanzo Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Virginia

    Southeast Virginia here, Schlafly is available at stores other than Total Wine. Though I work two minutes from a Total Wine so it wouldn't bother me if they did have a special contract.
     
    #3 Hanzo, Sep 6, 2012
  4. Duff27

    Duff27 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Feb 10, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Wondering where the specific distributor fits into all this...
     
    #4 Duff27, Sep 6, 2012
  5. terrapinfan88

    terrapinfan88 Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2009 Virginia

    They may be a small account where allocation is already thin. Total Wine Normally gets first dibs because the have some much buying power. If there are multiple total wines in your area and some whole foods they normally get a good deal more than smaller stores, After buying power I think most distributors go (somewhat) in order of quantity sold for that brand (Schlafly) or all the products that distributors carries. I'm not sure what part of VA you are in but Northern VA has it in other stores. Schlafly Pumpkin is also a preorder item at least in my area, so if you don't pre order your quantity in July you won't get it until the distributor removes it from allocation...IF that happens.
     
    #5 terrapinfan88, Sep 6, 2012
  6. mtlasley

    mtlasley Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2012 Illinois

    I live 3 hours from Schlafly and I've seen it on shelves in IL, MO, and KY. Don't worry, it's available at almost every craft beer shop that carries Shlafly. You're being BS'd

    Also, the biggest town I've shopped in only has a population of 20,000 so it's going to smaller areas. Hell, where I live only has 5,000 people and we've got it at the grocer, of course, we are considerably closer. Still, don't start hating on the good people of the Schlafly brewery before getting your facts straight.
     
    #6 mtlasley, Sep 6, 2012
  7. johnnybgood1999

    johnnybgood1999 Savant (1,000) Oct 31, 2008 Virginia

    Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like either my beer guy is lying or the distributor is lying to him. My beer guy doesn't strike me as the lying type, so I''d say it's probably the distributor, though I'm not sure what motive he'd have to not tell the truth.
     
    #7 johnnybgood1999, Sep 6, 2012
  8. IceAce

    IceAce Pooh-Bah (2,274) Jan 8, 2004 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Good, logical call. It's always the faceless that lie. Bastards...
     
    #8 IceAce, Sep 7, 2012
  9. stxSS07

    stxSS07 Initiate (0) Nov 23, 2010 Illinois

    What's cool is VA getting Schlafly Pumpkin instead of Chicago...

    I'm just jealous.
     
    #9 stxSS07, Sep 7, 2012
    jaminjohnson likes this.
  10. jaminjohnson

    jaminjohnson Initiate (0) Jul 3, 2012 Canada (YT)

    Blew me away when i heard Chicago didnt get any, I know they got at least a case from private distribution tho :wink:
     
    #10 jaminjohnson, Sep 7, 2012
    funkyaudio likes this.
  11. stxSS07

    stxSS07 Initiate (0) Nov 23, 2010 Illinois


    I was this close to ordering a case from TWaCP, but couldn't eat the shipping. I'll probably end up trading for some once I get sick of Punkin/Pumking.
     
    #11 stxSS07, Sep 7, 2012
  12. jaminjohnson

    jaminjohnson Initiate (0) Jul 3, 2012 Canada (YT)

    Yea i imagine it was expensive ordering online, my shipping (residence to residence) for a case and one 750 bottle was like 35-40 bucks STL to Chicago..but with what i get in return of chicago goodness its well worth it. That being said let me know when you want a go at some, id be glad to help out.
     
    #12 jaminjohnson, Sep 7, 2012
  13. johnnybgood1999

    johnnybgood1999 Savant (1,000) Oct 31, 2008 Virginia

    No hate for them, which is why the post included words such as I don't know how to feel about this and ended with a query for opinions on the matter.
     
    #13 johnnybgood1999, Sep 7, 2012
  14. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Could be simply a case of something like this:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_whispers
     
    #14 drtth, Sep 7, 2012
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