Distributors: a factor in your drinking?

I would imagine it makes a difference to at least some at a consumer level. Jumping back one link in the chain though, in my entirely theoretical experience it matters much more in the 2nd tier of the process than the 3rd. Using your example of New Belgium, the Bud distributor that handles it is extremely negligent when it comes to understanding their products and informing myself of when/if products are available. So yes, it factors in a great deal when it comes to ordering their products for the store. Even if there is a sudden burst of consciousness and they do actually happen to mention they got in item "x" from NB, their general negligence oftentimes taints my desire to order it from them. (Entirely theoretical, of course... )

 

Yes some distributors carry the small crafty stuff as well (including tiny local breweries) although it all depends on the area and state as a whole.

No it doesn't influence my decision, I couldn't care less.

 

I just buy and drink what I like here. Many, many good retail choices that the distributors bring in from other states.

 

As long as the beer ends up on my shelf why do I care how it gets there?

 

In my experience, when it comes to product knowledge/availability and general ease of doing business with, the particular distributor matters a lot more than which big brewer they're tied to (or not). I've dealt with really great BMC-affiliated distributors, really terrible small/independent distributors, and vice versa. Also, since the bigger distributors usually have a lot more brands in their portfolio to keep track of, a lot of the onus for keeping individual accounts in the loop RE: limited releases/seasonals/what's in stock falls on the brewers themselves, at least for accounts that are in their home region.

EDIT: As an example, New Belgium is one of the brands that has a particularly high number of rotating releases, mainly because of the LoF series. I get a lot more info about what's coming down the pipeline and when to expect it to arrive at the distributor from the NB rep assigned to my area than I do from the actual distributor.

 

Im not that hardcore to care about it.

 

Or you're so hardcore that you don't care about it?!

 

I live in small town that has one bar/restaurant with a selection of good beer. In my talks with the owner, it seems that there are still beer sales people that have very little interest or understanding of beer outside of the big sellers. So, yes it does affect my drinking choices.

 

Of all the factors that come into play when I purchase beer...this is at the very bottom.

 

So, it's your top priority?

 

If its on the shelf @ a fair price and i like it i will buy so no i dont care who distributes it

 

All I know is my area here in CT gets passed over by a lot of the good craft distributors and it's really frustrating for someone who loves to try so many different beers.

 

I honestly have no idea who distributes any of the beer I drink and don't really care.

 

Edited for your consideration.

 

ZERO factor.

Why?

Our Budweiser distro in south Jersey carries Ithica, Firestone Walker, and Victory.

No way in hell I'm not buying from them

 

The only problem I have with distributors is that here in NJ some beers take forever to get to us and are not fresh i.e. great IPA's , and some limiteds i.e. Parabola, can be every other year bc the distributors are lazy or whatever.

 

Many smallish breweries would not even make it to your market without the distribution network of some of the bigger players. The representation may not be equal, but you cannot ignore the impact of this establishment.

 

Generally speaking, the bigger distributors are the only ones who can afford the $200k (or more) for the top of the line inventory management software that allows all their suppliers to see instantaneous sales and depletion reports. They also tend to have the best logistics and the most trucks. For the bigger craft brewers, this type of data and access to retailers is extremely important for tracking sales, planning promotions, managing product placements, etc, so I can't blame any of them for choosing what's best for their brand, even if it means signing with an AB or MC distributor.