Brewery Pet Peeves (2023)

Yeah, 20 years ago that was true for most breweries, but with so many tiny, hyper-local breweries that are almost entirely dependent on so-called "own premise" sales - i.e. both on- and off-premise sales at the brewery - and do very little sales to wholesalers/retailers, it's no longer the case. (I've never seen beers from the two local breweries I visit the most on retailers' shelves).

I mean, if you're getting over $100/case (6 X $20-4pks) why would you want to sell through the 3 tier system and share that profit with two others business?

Here's the TTB brewery figures for 2021 - around 75% brew 1,000 barrels or fewer a year.

 

It rubs the Grape Lotion on its skin, or it gets no Nyquil Pastry Stout again!

 

Got another one: Serving the only non-pastry porter/stout they have on nitro.

 

Yeah the smaller (say under 1000 bbl) breweries tend to only sell on-site around here (or very limited drops at select stores as WA allows self-distro). But the small-middle (say 2500 - 20,000bbl) tend to use distributors to handle chains/grocery stores, do some level of self-distro (specialty shops, local mini-marts, etc) and on-premise sales. so, it is a factor a lot of breweries have to take into consideration.

 

That is true. The missus and I have been trying to figure out a worthwhile visit - we never plan ahead and when we visit breweries are very much "in the moment" and "oh...that looks good". We did have friends who visit regularly pick up beer for us (they offered) and that worked out but I'd love to see that brewery out in the western MA hinterlands.

They have had a ton of issues at the Cape location with lical regulations, neighbors, parking, etc. So much so that I have to wonder if it is a short-term testing the waters kind of venture that will either relocate to a more suitable location or just be abandoned. Lots of "not in my back yard" going on by what gather and officials creating barriers <wink, wink, nudge, nudge, hmmm an empty pocket to be filled>

 

To piggyback on comments by others regarding owners who have reserved seats for themselves, we have a new brewery/eatery in town who is ripped constantly on YELP for multiple reasons (lousy service, mediocre beer, overly priced food, etc.). One often cited observation is that the owner stands behind the bar drinking beers, checking his phone and totally ignoring the needs of customers at the bar. I guess he at least is not taking up seating space that customers could take. His servers are so bad you would think that he would at least try to help out. Instead, he takes the "look at me! I own a brewery!" attitude.

 

100%. Beer for “members only” goes against the culture of beer, if you ask me. I’ll have no part of it.

 

A big echo on canning dates for me... and legible. I have others, but let's standardize this fix first.

 

Yeah, but I'm not talking about that size brewery. But, even if I were: for example, one of my favorite "local" breweries has limited hours, is about 25 miles away and my vehicle gets about 22 mpg of $3+ gasoline. So, am I really going to take an hour or more out my day and spend $6 on fuel, pass numerous liquors stores where the beer might be sold, just to save a buck or 2 on a 4-pack of beer (or even $6-10/cs) because the prices at the brewery are below the brewer's MSRP?

Or damn - give on-premise drinkers of $7 (not quite) pints a coupon for a buck off a sixpack.

Not to mention price alone is that's not how retail works in the US. CVS and convenience stores sell lots of the exact same products as big box and dollar stores with huge differences in price. I see gas stations with prices 25¢ a gallon or more than ones just across the highway. Even other alcoholic beverages - I see $30 bottles of Bourbon for $20 and $40 in other stores within the same town.

 

In my defense, things are different here in Northwest Kiribati.

 

Well, that's true, that's true. But things are more like they are today than they ever were.

My MD gave me a prescription for that and the rash was gone in a few days.

 

Here's another: Wi-fi that doesn't work, is too slow, or you have to ask for the password because it's a state secret.

 

I'd rather have the brewery treat locals with a membership than some shitlords trying to make some $$$ on a beer someone else made.

But in our local scene, there are only a handful of memberships, and only one of them has member's only taps. I'm a member at one brewery (no member's only taps) in order to access their BA offerings. While it's a larger upfront cost, it saves me money throughout the year since I don't usually buy BA stuff from many other breweries anymore. It's also nice knowing I don't have to hound a release page to snag a bottle or take PTO to grab an in-person release anymore. But I'll admit, it's not for everyone.

 

OK, I am stubborn and probably dating myself, but I realllly hate it when I am expected to scan a QR code to see the menu of food or beers. I tip well. Give me a paper menu or show me the offerings on a chalkboard, but nope, not scanning a QR code.
Also, limiting payment to no more than 2 credit cards per "table", with a "table" defined as however many people are in one party. We went to Brewery X in Anaheim and had 10 people collected over the course of about 90 minutes and seated among a loose collection of tables and low couches but upon leaving they would not take more than 2 credit cards. Also, they required that we buy food if we wanted more than 1 beer. I like their beer/hate the brewery.

 

Breweries with super limited hours. Like Friday to Sunday 4 til 9. Come on, at least open up at lunchtime.

 

Dating myself even further back. I've never done that QR thing (though I have walked out of places that asked me to), wouldn't know how to do it on my phone, which if I have it with me at all, is in the center console of my truck, not on my person.

OK, here's mine. I pay cash most times. And if I do pay with a card, I leave the tip in cash. Fuck these bosses who illegally try to control their employees' tips. If they want to pool them - fine (that's legal). But I'd rather the employer have nothing to do with the money.

Me, too - (continuing on ) but it does annoy me when employers "encourage" me to tip, by listing suggested amounts on the bill or leaving a jar at the counter, etc. Hey, it's a fucked up system but for an employer to do those sorts of things says me:

 

I hear ya. I get why people join and wouldn't knock those who did. It's just not for me. "Member's only" is by definition exclusionary. Beer, in my opinion, is a drink for the community, for everyone. It's an inclusive experience, not an exclusive one. Just my $0.02.

 

For me not listing the alcohol % on a bottle or can... shouldn't that be illegal? There is a big difference between a 5% and 10% abv beer especially when it comes to knowing your limit and being able to drive after one or two beers.