Variety packs - any value in them?

While I know you mean pre-packed variety packs, another question is whether there is value in the mix-a-six deals. Personally, if the pricing isn't by individual bottles and you get some sort of break by buying a mixed six, it's all good and there's value. However, if a store is charging you by the bottle, it isn't really a mix-a-six it's just individual bottles that you happen to put into a spare six pack and it's just a gimmick/trick and therefore, no value.

And by the way, a great way to do some targeted, inexpensive and useful market research.

 

I think the value in them is dependent on whether or not the store allows "mix and match 6pks" or (even better) pulling single bottles out of any 6 pack in the store. the only variety packs I bother stocking at our place are things like the Sierra Nevada 4 Way IPA pack that offer at least 1 or 2 beers that are only available in that particular pack.

 

Yeah the ease of buying singles here is part of it for sure

 

Variety packs, no. Mix a Six, yes.

Not all Mix a six are alike. But I often find good values in the mix a six. Sometimes a $12/six beer will sneak in there and I usually stock up if they do. Just the other day they had 3 Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout in the $9.99 mix a six (the fourth must've broke). SS OS usually goes for 11.99/4, but I'm stocked on beer right now so I passed. Someone got a great deal!

 

I have picked up variety 12 packs for parties but would never buy a variety pack for myself since they usually consist of 2 beers I like, 2 I don't like, and none that I love in there. A Sixpoint hop variety pack with Resin, Hi-Res, and Bengali could change my thinking though.

 

I usually don't buy variety packs but the Sierra Nevada seasonal packs are the exception. That's mostly because they've included some new, fantastic beers (e.g. Vienna Lager) and the "regulars" I'm more than happy to drink (e.g. Pale Ale).

 

Pre-packaged variety cases have been a critical offering in PA. (Only within the last few months have most beverage stores been allowed to sell pre-packaged variety 12 packs.) While bottle shops are growing in number in PA they are still something of a rarity as the owner has to both serve food and beer, while offering it for take out as well. For a variety of reasons they are fine for sampling a single beer at a high price, but that's not all I'm after with a variety case/pack.

Some of my best purchases have been variety cases. e.g., my first exposure to Unibroue came with a variety case that had 5 different beers and I am still able to regularly find a variety case of St. Bernardus beers which has 6 different beers in it (all of the top of the line beers).

One of the upsides is that when all the beers are packaged that way mostly they all have a reasonably similar bottling date so when I buy the St. Bernardus case using the date on the case I know that all six of the beers inside are reasonably fresh (as evidenced by the bottling date on each bottle in the case).

What I want from a variety pack/case is that I want a bottled/packaged on date on the case/pack and all beers reasonably fresh (preferably bottled on dates and best by dates both). In addition, I want the case to contain the flagship beers (not two or three plus something there just to get it sold). Its fine to do a seasonal case/pack with one or two rotating selections, but again I want those to be your best offerings not just 2 or 3 of them.

 

majority of mix 6pks are indiviually marked up single bottles, at least places with a selection big enough to make me want to put one together. so price point alone keeps me from doing it, as well as singles often being out of date.

 

Another problem with variety packs for me is they are boxed with no bottling date shown (unless you open the package). And when you are dealing with Pale Ales or IPA's, that is a deal breaker.

 

I also think (as far as beer geeks go, not the general beer-buying public) that for at least part of the population, there's maybe a stigma associated with pre-packaged brewery variety packs. Like when I think of them, I imagine walking down the beer aisle in a supermarket and seeing Saranac / Sam Adams etc, not some of the "sexier" breweries.

 

The only time I buy a new variety pack is if I am going to a party. It is easier than trying to guess at everyone's taste. I will generally pick up an Abita variety pack at the beginning of football season for sentimental reasons, and possibly a Sam Adams Winter pack. Otherwise, I just go to my local bottle shop and pick up the mix a sixers. I can see them having value, but as others have stated, I would like to see more have two beers of six different offerings as opposed to the four beers of three different offerings.

 

Re, the core beers vs. the one offs.

Keep in mind that on here you are most likely to be exposed to view that what someone wants is "one and done" so they can move on to something else new and different. But even on here there are large numbers of us who do repeats. For example, the Victory variety case mentioned by @JackHorzempa is something I buy 3-4 times a year because I want to repeat those beers as part of my line up and rotation in the fridge. And honestly its hard to find a beverage store that doesn't have that case/pack on offer. That's a good example for one of my points BTW since the 4 beers Victory puts into that case offer variety and are among their best sellers.

The Troeg's variety cases/packs are seasonal and a pretty good example of things that sell well in PA.

Edit: BTW I answered 3, but would edit that answer in that i'm not looking for new and different with a variety case/pack. I'm looking for things I know and like keep me happy when I'm not looking for "new and different."

 

ok shane hit us, mix pack of the crisp, bengali, beast mode and abigale

i would definitely buy that. or throw something new and unexpected with some of the year round lineup and i'll bite too.

 

They are great when you want to get a variety of beers.

 

I'll pick up the occasional Shiner Family Reunion 6er. Sometimes a New Belgium Folly 12er. That's about it.

 

I am more likely to buy a variety pack of a brand I never had before, as opposed to a full case from that brewery. Though I tend to just pick up individual units or mix and match 6 packs at the store rather than a pre-packed variety.

But pre packed varieties are nice for parties and I know a lot of people that always pick up prepacked variety when having people over.

 

Yeah exactly. So if the right brewery (cough, Sixpoint) where to come at it from a unique angle (i.e. using @GoGators suggestion - although don't fall at the first hurdle and call it "Summer Pack" for god's sake), then I reckon it's something that could work.

Edit - it would have to be done very carefully though, to ensure beating the competition, rather than joining them.