Misconceptions about beer distribution

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Misrahi, Jan 27, 2013.

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  1. jspada22

    jspada22 Initiate (0) Jan 24, 2013

    We brought in craft beer bottles and a growler bar to our store about 2 months ago and I haven't had much of an issue getting seasonal or special release items. The two exceptions were the Enjoy by IPA and anything Russian River besides damnation.
     
  2. AlTrombley

    AlTrombley Initiate (0) Dec 25, 2012 Connecticut

     
  3. TrinidadJ

    TrinidadJ Initiate (0) Nov 30, 2012 Trinidad & Tobago

    Not really. But you will get hooked up for pushing their products. Like we ran through over 50 of Goose Islands Belgian kegs last year. So when things like BCBS and Coffee come out we get the most. We don't buy bullshit and we get the goods. But if you are not pushing out a product don't think you will get limited hyped releases from that company.

    Like this place in town got pissed we got a BCBS keg, only two came to town. We sold 50 of just belgian series of GI in a year. They sold 2-3 312 kegs in a year.
     
  4. SammyJaxxxx

    SammyJaxxxx Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012 New Jersey

    If these releases just sit on the shelf at the other stores in your area, what makes you think that they would sell in your store?

    You will survive without Short's special releases.
     
  5. jacob4999

    jacob4999 Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2008 Michigan

    First off I said "region" (which is about 3 counties) and I also said there are no other stores within 20 miles that have a decent craft section. And I never said that I wouldn't survive without a particular breweries special releases. Just actually adding some insight to this thread as that's WHAT IS IS ABOUT.

    Trust me I don't feel entitled to anything no matter what it is. Any Ba on here that's met me will probably back up this claim. I've worked hard for everything I have in life and can deal with things not going my way. I was just stating facts as a store owner as pertaining to the thread.
     
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  6. AxesandAnchors

    AxesandAnchors Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2012 Oregon

    You misunderstood me, I said "anything really good, or seasonal/limited". And by "a bunch of junk no one wants" wasn't referring to good year round stuff, it was referring to beers that the distributor is trying to push because they either ordered too much of it and it's near it's expiration date, or they make a bigger profit off it, or it's just filler because they need more product to sell. Obviously if a brewery makes great seasonals they probably make pretty good year round (at least a certain amount), but a bottle shop shouldn't be forced to purchase X breweries beers just to have the opportunity to purchase Y Breweries seasonals or limited releases. That's just dumb, and shady business as far as I'm concerned.
     
  7. SammyJaxxxx

    SammyJaxxxx Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012 New Jersey


    I still think it is a legitimate question, beer geeks will drive 20 miles for a special release. So if they are sitting on the shelf and not selling 20 miles away, what makes you think they will fly off the shelf in your store?
     
  8. chefkevlar

    chefkevlar Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2010 South Carolina

    I think a lot has to do with the relationship between the buyer and the distributors and sales reps. I try to be fair and treat them with respect and they, in turn, do the same to me. The way I see it at the end of the day we are both middle-men trying to get beer from the breweries to the consumers. It does help that I usually know before they do when new releases are coming so it's hard to lie to me about it.....
     
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  9. jacob4999

    jacob4999 Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2008 Michigan

    Yes I agree that is a legitimate question but the problem is I never said anything about beer "flying off my shelves" so not sure where you're going with that. I really think you're misinterpreting the point of my post. All I want to do is offer craft beer to an area that can't really get it any where else local. I'm not trying to get rich off selling craft as I charge good prices (I sold Hopslam for $15.99 a 6 pack). I plan on holding tasting events at my store and am trying to spread the word about craft beer as it's something I'm very passionate about. And yes it is still frustrating being told that I pretty much never have a chance to get certain items even though I know that I could sell them. So in saying all that, not really sure why you're insinuating that I'm saying things that I'm clearly not in my original post. I'm not the bad guy here..no one is really. Just how the system works which like I said was the intent of this thread in the first place. I'm the guy you should be cheering on to succeed!!

    Cheers!
     
  10. SecondStage1983

    SecondStage1983 Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2012 Washington

    I work at a fairly new Beer store in PA open about 4 months. We don't have access to more rare stuff because we aren't "Established" yet. Plus some of the distributors work on a "you scratch my back I scratch yours" IE we need to sell this beer bad so push it at your store and if you do we'll give you a case of BCCS
     
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  11. AxesandAnchors

    AxesandAnchors Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2012 Oregon

    I disagree with this, and here's why;

    1. In order to make a trip for beer you first need to know that it's there.
    2. Beer geeks may be the driving force of the craft movement, but they are certainly not the bulk of the craft consumer.
    3. 20 miles away is actually quite far.
    4. I've been to several towns outside of Portland that have amazing beers sitting on the shelf that would have been gone in minutes if it would have been at a bottle shop in Portland.
    5. People frequent stores that they have had good experiences at, have consistently found what they want, and are convenient to get to.

    I think jacob4999 brings up yet another reason why things need to change.
     
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  12. russmann

    russmann Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2007 Idaho

    I own a craft beer and wine shop (and beership.com) and there are a lot of misconceptions. To answer SammyJaxx, we have the same problem, where a distributor thinks they're being nice, and being fair, by spreading out specialties to 50 accounts who have no business with it. We're a hardcore store, with a bar moving kegs too, so we get more than our fair share of, for example, Abyss and other specialties, but there are literally stores in our area still sitting on Abyss 2011. They don't know what to do with it, they don't have the customers for it. We run out before it shows up. One of my bartenders bought an 2011 Abyss from a local store and we drank it this weekend. Do you think it wouldn't sell on my shelf, or website? C'mon.

    This misconception is that craft beer is just like every other product, or like every other beer. Craft beer is marketed differently, sold differently, and enjoyed differently. You can't just stick craft beer in any old place and serve the customers well. A good distributor knows this and puts volume beer in volume accounts and craft beer in craft accounts.

    Congrats to Jacob, welcome to the community. The vendors will turn your hair grey.
     
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  13. Mr_Brodie

    Mr_Brodie Initiate (0) Dec 13, 2012 New York

    How do bars and/or growler shops get kegs from a brewery not distributed in their state? Can the brewery bypass the distributor if they go out of state? Usually it is for some sort of "event". I have always assumed the brewery is giving it away for free as a promotion for some sort of bragging rights while recognizing the establishment. It is usually a historic bar that is renowned for their craft beer selection. The bar/store is selling it. I have confirmed the freebie from two different breweries that are definitely top 10 ISO listings in the trade forums. This is not for a festival or charity. The brewery does not need the name recognotion and they are not going to be distributed in the area.
    Fake example. A keg of pliny or zombie in NY but neither brewery sells in NY state.
    Trust me I am not complaining and I have no problem paying. That is why I used a fake example.
     
  14. russmann

    russmann Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2007 Idaho

    They don't, unless they are willing to risk the legal issues. The laws are there to collect money, not to protect you.
     
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  15. AxesandAnchors

    AxesandAnchors Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2012 Oregon

  16. Errto

    Errto Zealot (643) Oct 20, 2009 Connecticut

    It could be a temporary license. What sometimes happens is a brewery has to get a temporary license to bring in beer to a festival, but that same license lets them also sell the beer commercially for a short time, so they send a few kegs/cases over while they have the chance. Not every state allows this IIRC, but some do.
     
  17. DelMontiac

    DelMontiac Initiate (0) Oct 22, 2010 Oklahoma

    LOL! The majority of my beer purchases are made well over 100 miles from home.
     
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  18. jacob4999

    jacob4999 Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2008 Michigan

    Agree with you 100% man. These other stores I've seen aren't trying to market it and that's why it's still sitting there. You come into my store and I see you stopped at the cooler doors with my craft beer inside I'm going to talk to you and give you my personal experience with it which makes a good chance you're going to buy it. Word of mouth marketing is a powerful tool. Especially if it's something you're not familiar with. Goes a long way.

    So for now I'm just going to market the shit out of what I have and make these reps notice me and what I'm selling. I figure that's the best thing to do right now.

    And thanks man I'm glad to be doing this. I'll figure out how to deal with the vendors one way or another.
     
  19. ThirstyFace

    ThirstyFace Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2013 New York

    I wonder if people on HamburgerAdvocate are calling each other "ignorant" for not fully understanding the production to end user route of meat.

    Just saying, you're coming across as a dorky scrimshot.
     
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  20. russmann

    russmann Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2007 Idaho

    Jacob,

    What I do is form relationships with the breweries. The breweries want to sell their beer. We want to buy it and sell it to craft beer customers, and the distributors are something of a nuisance in between us. When certain craft breweries have something new, their regional rep calls me and asks how much we want for our store. Then the distributor is *told* by the brewery how much they have to buy to fill my order, and told to bring it to my store. They still screw this up sometimes, when some ambitions salesman looks at an incoming delivery and decides to go off the rails, but it works more often than not. In our state, the brewery has the power to fire the distributor and change distributors. The retailer has no power at all. I figure since we're the retailer, we go make friends with a bigger gorilla.

    Hope this helps your business, you seem a decent fellow.
     
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