Tolerance for Beer Release Waiting in Line

I get annoyed when I have to wait in line behind 3 people at the bottle shop, so waiting hours isn't even a consideration for me. To each his own, though. I have waited in line for 18 hours+ for college basketball season tickets and I'm sure there are many people who think that is equally as ridiculous.

 

I actually don't like to wait in line for anything. If my wife found out I waited in line to buy a beer she would rag me to no end. And yes it does detract from the enjoyment factor for me, but for others, I think it perhaps enhances the enjoyment. I just think it depends on how you are wired

 

I won't wait in line. Every year, BCBS variants are released across town from me, and I still won't go. I don't feel like my experience in craft beer has suffered as a result.

 

I'm an impatient bastard in general so I don't have the tolerance to chase or wait for special releases at all really. That's a level of beer nerdery that I just don't participate in.

That said, I've waited in line for 2 hours to ride a stupid rollercoaster, and that's over much faster than a 4 pack/bomber of beer. So I don't find it hard to understand why the wait is worth it for many people.

 

I did it once for three hours, basically had a window of opportunity to go to that one release and enjoyed it, I guess. Probably had a lot to do with the folks in front of and behind me being very fun to speak with. If I would have ended up sandwiched between snobs, my experience obviously would have been different. All that being said, I won't go out of my way any more (probably) to wait in a line. Wanted to do it once just to have the experience, so from here on out I'll likely enjoy that which can be had easily in non waiting fashion.

 

I don't see the need to wait in line for anything willingly, especially for something silly like a beer release (no offense!). There are too many other great options whether it be food, beer, coffee, etc. Plus when you are busy with work, have a family and other things going on - you get less free time and need to prioritize. I'd rather go somewhere like a great brewery with food and make an afternoon of it with the family or friends.

 

I will wait in line if I'm with friends, but only for so long. About an hour is probably my limit.

 

I'm over it. I didn't mind it as much in the past (when it was typically just the GABF entrance line), but I've grown to hate it.
I guess that's the joy of living in the online shopping age. If you can get people to show up to something in person, they're typically willing to turn anything into an iPhone release.

 

I have zero tolerance and I don't enjoy crowds, but have done it and probably will do it again. It doesn't mean I have to like it, but I have missed out on beers that I actually want to try by saying "I don't feel like waiting in line" or "that's gonna be a s&&&storm". If it's something I honestly want, I'll suck it up and wait, but I generally don't "chase" releases and am pretty selective.

As they say, the time to buy something is when you see it - I've seen a few that I have passed up thinking I'll find it later when there's less waiting involved and those beers are still on my want to try list. I've also waited for a few and been sorely disappointed, so there's that.

 

I'd definitely prefer not to, but don't mind doing it if there is something I really want. I am sure that I will eventually get tired of it. As someone else mentioned, though, it is especially tough if you have a family.

 

I don't often have the time luxury to wait in line, so zero tolerance for me.

 

I waited around 3 hours in 37-degree weather for Parabajava.. Between the amazing beer I drank, and the amazing beer I got in trades, I'd do it again in the second.

 

I am an extremely inpatient person, hell, I pass cars on the highway just so I don't have to be behind them. However, releases are different. I go at times with a group of people and wait in line for beer. Sometimes it can be several hours (3-6). But I've met some amazing people waiting in those lines, many from different states. The group I go with always has a good time despite the weather being in the low 20's and snowing. I guess it's what you get out of it. The beer is nice but the people make it enjoyable.

 

I wouldn't mind waiting for an hour at a beer release...only if I get my beer. If not, I'll just rant about it on Beer Advocate.

 

Great bottle share while waiting? 6-8 hours
Okay bottle share while waiting? 4 hours
Hide bottles and drink from coffee cups 2 hours
No share and no drinking in line? 1 hour
Hill Farmstead - as long as it takes

 

I don't wait in line, but have no problem with those who do. If I was still in my 20s and single, I would have the time to do that sort of thing.

 

An hour is my tolerance, I don't mind waiting an hour for something potentially fantastic. If you can make an event out of it (tailgate) than sure I'd be down for longer because it's not really a line. But a pure line, after an hour it becomes torture.

 

I have never waited in line before. But I'm sure I wouldn't like it. So I'm ok with missing out on some of those "Special Beers" And I found some of those releases are during the week. I can't take time off of work to do that. But respect for those who do.

 

Honestly, it depends heavily on the people in line. I find many beer geeks to be insufferable, so my tolerance is pretty low. Plus I'm in the camp of "if shelf beer X is 90% as good as limited release beer Y, why would I waste my time?" The step up in quality has to be very significant to get me to wait in line more than 10-15 minutes and that gap has narrowed considerably in recent years.