How Does Your Local Beer Store Sell Rare Beers???

Couldn't agree more, and to think that an employee should have to take time off of work to go to another beer store to get that rare beer, or "go through the same system" (trade for it), as some are suggesting is ridiculous. The employees should get an opportunity on beers that they want for them to DRINK, not trade it or sell it. They spend a lot of time educating themselves in order to help customers and make your beer buying experience enjoyable. Most "big stores" have sections for beer, wine, and liquor -- most people in the wine and liquor departments could care less about special releases. In fact, through experience, most people in the beer department could care less about special releases.

 

when the employee gets off work....he's a customer also..right?

 

My local place posts a release time on Facebook. First come first serve. Seems the most fair.

 

Yes...hence the statement: "or go through the same system as every other customer"

 

If I'm about to drop $15 on something I've never tried or was just released, it would be nice if the person selling it to me knew something about it. I also think that is a reasonable perk for what probably isn't the greatest job.

I hate this method, and OP, I hope you don't do this. I also don't schmooze the employees of any bottle shop or liquor store I frequent. I don't because I'm there to purchase beer not make friends, not shoot the shit, etc. It's on my way home from work, I'm tired, cranky... but those things shouldn't disqualify me from sometimes getting an interesting new or rare beer. I never do though, because this is how the stores I go to do it.

I will +1 the egalitarian method of just putting it on the shelf w/ a bottle limit. That's fair for even the cranky or unsocial shopper.

 

Say you're working from 8am-6:30pm, the beer is released on the shelves at 1pm and sells out before 6:30pm. F*ck that employee for having a job?

 

At my local store here, they usually limit purchases to 2 cans/bottles. The beer store here for example receives Grimm, but usually only a case here or there. They put it on the shelf like everything else but just limit to how many people can buy. Stuff like KBS is usually kept in the back room and they'll sell it at the usual 2 limit (though you have to request it)

 

Damn right, those bottle shop employees are lowly serfs who's only purpose in life is to bring me my whalez....and make sure you are whistling while you bring me them whalez...gotta make sure there is no beer in your mouth....

Most bottle shops have only 2-3 employees working in the beer department. Why shouldn't they get a bottle or two of the good stuff? Its not like we hoard stuff by the case. You think we do this solely for the money?

 

Well, that would fuck me too because I also have a job. And, because of this practice, I get fucked frequently because I have a job.

 

I think that's a little harsh. Give the customers the opportunity to purchase. If he wasn't working there, he'd be working somewhere else that would prohibit him from getting there. So if at 6:30 there are still bottles available, then by all means...he should be able to purchase one.

 

I did suggest they don't release beers until after 5-5:30pm, but I guess in this case liquor stores are open until midnight in quite a few states, so the night shift employees would get screwed. Can't win.

As an employee, they would probably forget to set one out on the shelf, don't you think you would? I just think it's better to keep them happy then cause them to resent coming to work or tempt them to be dishonest. If they know what a rare beer is, they are probably working there because they love beer.

 

And I'm sure your job comes with its own benefits/perks. When you work at a beer store, your perk is moderately discounted beer and the opportunity to buy new beers as they come in.

 

Yes, you did and I think it's a great suggestion. I went back to 'like' it but discovered I already had.

Which is why I said the exact same thing in a previous post.

 

It sure as hell isn't health insurance, dental insurance, and a retirement plan.

 

There is no substitute for putting on the shelf with a limit and minimal fanfare - whatever the kiss ups say

 

And think of all those nice folks...... Honestly the best thing about special releases and rarities, from a retailers perspective, is quick turn-around and cash.

 

Amen to that. I don't get an IRA, but these folks are gonna complain cause I get an IPA?? please...

 

Try this, one local shop did;

On Black Friday, when BCBS is being released and they only had a couple of cases, and we'd just had a big snowstorm, wait until there is a big line outside and 10 minutes before opening, then Email customers who had no chance of getting there in time to tell them you have some BCBS.​

 

My local shop has a rewards/discount thing for their regulars. Almost like a Giant Foods bonus card for beer and wine. It tracks your purchases and after so many purchases shoots you a text that you get x% off on your next purchase. Anyways it also notifies people who have been have spent x amount of dollars of rare releases coming into the shop.

 

I'm a business guy so I'll answer from the point of maximizing revenue. If you care about that then you have to do more than one thing.

1. Reward your best customers. Give them first shot at 75% of the stash. Gather emails, phone numbers and physical addresses and keep track of total sales. Reserve one for each person who shows interest until they are gone. Require an appointment to have them picked up by the person, then show them the other beers that you have and styles they like. This is the best time to sell them more beers/products.

2. Take a few and auction them off. Give the proceeds to a local charity. Make sure to take pictures with charity, create relationships and maybe even try to get local press (tv, newspaper, blogs). Make sure your customers know that you are starting to auction beers off for charity soon so that you can contact them when auctions are coming up. Prices paid for charity items in auction can go sky high because it turns into a write-off. Some people who need write-offs and want to drink a beer without playing the social-media/stand-in-line game will be happy to participate.

3. Take the remaining bottles (minus one) and post to social media to announce a contest. One bottle per day gets given free to a person selected at random who takes a picture in front of your store and posts to social media. Make sure that you add something new to the front of your store each day so that you know it isn't a recycled photo. They get five more entries for the day with any beer purchase.

4. Save one bottle and hold on to it for a while. Once every bottle is gone then causally put it up on the shelf and post to social media. First person who shows up in person gets to buy it. Vary times of day that you do this to give 9-5ers a chance too.

5. Post every interesting and popular beer on social media even if it isn't a whale. People like to see dolphins, too. And it keeps them engaged.

I can give you many more ideas but these are already awesome and will bring in more business. It is fair and gives everyone a chance. It is more work but it'll pay off markedly.

Ideally you want to create a membership at your store with a yearly or monthly fee but that is an advanced business tactic. If you can do the above then you can also offer memberships.

As for employees getting first dibs there might be a better system. Maybe they get first dibs on only one beer per year...Maybe more...but they shouldn't get to snap up all of the merchandise every time.

Good luck.