Is draft a deal breaker?

I would never go to a place (restaurant or especially bar) specifically for their bottle selection. I can buy bottles at a store and enjoy them at home in comfort for a fraction of the price. The same is not true of draft beer, so I only order draft when I am out and about.

 

Plus bottles are so often old. I don't trust bottles in restaurants unless I have no choice.

 

For me, it depends on the price of the bottle at said restaurant/bar. I'm fine without them having taps (although I prefer taps because I know the beer is fresh), but the beer needs to be priced reasonably for me to consider it. I'm not paying $40 for a $10 bottle of BCBS, for example.

 

I would go to a restaurant without draft but not a bar.

 

Depends on pricing. Typically draft beer is more economically priced. If you're only offering $20+ large format bottles, I'd pass.

 

This definitely depends on your state laws regarding distribution. In Kansas, whatever the restaurant or bar is going to have, I will be able to find at the best local bottle shop. I may still go for the experience with friends or family occasionally though. Draft is really to key factor for me, as the best craft bar we have gets some draft options that won't be available in bottle format.

 

At least bottles can be dated. Draft beer comes in a glass with no "best by" date and sometimes I get some very malty IPAs.

 

Yeah, but are you going to be the guy that asks to see the date on the bottle before they open it and bring it to you?

 

No but I'm also not the guy to ask how long they've sat on that keg.

 

proper draft and proper wings or gtfo

 

Exactly that. The only thing I'm interested in at any food or drink establishment as far as beer is concerned is the tap list. Otherwise, my money is going to my friendly neighborhood bottle shop, where it will get me more beer per dollar.

 

Well, most bottles are dated. And it's always fun to explain to the server when they bring an open bottle that's 5 months old, "No, not that one.What else ya got? In fact can I just come dig through your inventory and pick?"

 

Wouldn't bother me that much as long as the bottles/cans are good, priced right, and fresh. Draft is preferred, but I have no issue with packaged beer at a bar, too.

 

Kind of depends to me really.

I would think that a place like that would invest the money into getting at least a few beers on tap.

 

One of my favorite places to eat in New Glarus, Sugar River Pizza, has all bottles, no taps and that hasn't ever kept me from going there. It is a more of a restaurant with a great beer selection than a bar with great food. The owner just happens to be a beer nut who always has a good selection available.
Things are appropriately priced too, and they have specials a lot as well. I was there a few months back and they had cans of Surly Furious for $2. That was a good night indeed.

 

I rarely get bottles at restaurants or bars unless I am traveling. To me having the beer in a format that I cannot usually find it in is one of the pleasures out getting a beer out. The only time I really make an exception is when I go to an ethnic restaurant. I will then pay for whatever amazing local beer goes well with their food--bottle or no bottle.

 

If I'm going to a bar/restaurant specifically for their beer selection, I expect them to have draft and high turnover (hence fresh beer) or else I'd probably never hear of the place to begin with. I doubt I would go if it was all bottles as there probably wouldn't be much of anything that I couldn't buy and drink at home anyway.

 

I would not go.

Well, I would not go there for drinking.