Bottle store visits. How much time can you spend there?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by jtk, Feb 17, 2016.

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  1. jtk

    jtk Crusader (477) May 19, 2007 Texas

    My average is probably 20 to 30 minutes. I've gotten lost in a big store for well over an hour, though. I don't even have to spend much. I just like narrowing down my choices with what's in front of me, how much I may know about certain beers I've never had, how much I have to spend, and what I'm in the mood for.

    Sometimes when I leave I am too tired to drink the beer, my mind is so in the zone just pacing back and forth between beers, trying to decide.

    Is this normal?

    It's definitely part of the overall process for me. The shopping.
     
  2. TheNightwatchman

    TheNightwatchman Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I don't normally spend more than about 15 mins browsing the store. I've never encountered one large enough to require more of my time.
     
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  3. _LOD

    _LOD Initiate (0) Jan 14, 2016 Florida

    Im pacing back and forth consulting with friends on group texts checking out the reviews here.... 30-45 minutes before pulling the trigger.
     
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  4. HopVol

    HopVol Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2015 Tennessee

    I'm in and out of my regular store pretty quick. I know their selection well. I'm typically there when they've notified me they have something new in. Sometimes I hang around and bs with the guys that work there but seldom there more than half an hour.
     
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  5. TheIPAHunter

    TheIPAHunter Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,026) Aug 12, 2007 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I spent an hour recently, but I was stocking up and waiting for the Nelson to come off the truck.
     
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  6. MikeWard

    MikeWard Grand Pooh-Bah (3,023) Sep 14, 2011 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The only time I enjoy "window shopping" is at a bottle shop. Can easily be there an hour, longer if they have a bar as well.
     
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  7. gobuccos

    gobuccos Initiate (0) Apr 28, 2014 Ohio

    When I go to my regular bottle shop, I will spend some time talking to the beer guy and the manager. Have frequented the same store for about 4 years. Have gotten to know both pretty well. Typically spend 30-45 minutes in that shop. When out of state, I will take more time browsing the selection. My wife and I have spent upwards of an hour and a half in a store out of state. I have found that if you review the beers twice, you see things you missed the first time.
     
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  8. Smokingtony

    Smokingtony Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2014 Texas

    Depends on the reception and how fast reviews can come up.
     
  9. adamgnoth

    adamgnoth Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Colorado

    For me, it's either/or. Sometimes I'll walk in and see a beer that I know is rare and delicious and don't even have to think about it. Other times, I'll walk-in and nothing immediately stands out so I will slowly scour the aisles and take longer to decide what I really want.
     
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  10. needMIbeer

    needMIbeer Pooh-Bah (2,178) Feb 5, 2014 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It depends on the shop.. before the beer guy left at my go-to spot I could easily spend 45 minutes to an hour in there just shooting the shit and drinking a pour from the growler fill station
     
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  11. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Normal weekly local stores...usually 15 min is the norm.

    Out of state...usually I will hand pick a really good one to visit, so with a lot of out of state product to sort through and check ratings, can take about an hour give or take. I certainly don't want to miss out on something really good because I didn't know about it/notice it.
     
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  12. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Usually just 15 minutes , know what im looking for usually , only time im longer is if im out of town in another state that has different distro, then i could be there awhile.
     
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  13. Scott17Taylor

    Scott17Taylor Initiate (0) Oct 28, 2013 Iowa
    Trader

    Anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour depending on how much I have to spend and the store.
     
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  14. Beef_Curtains

    Beef_Curtains Initiate (0) Oct 14, 2013 Ohio

    If I'm just shopping, about 15 minutes. I can see everything they have by just glancing around, it's not like crate-digging at a record store. If they have a bar with a good tap list though, it can be a lot longer.
     
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  15. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Depends on the store and how often I stop by. Huckleberry's rarely rates more than 5-10 minutes, as I live a few blocks away, and the selection, while decent, isn't huge. I've easily spent half an hour at a time at Total Wine or a place with lots of stuff I don't normally see, like 99 Bottles when on the other side of the state.
     
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  16. TheVerbalHermanMunster

    TheVerbalHermanMunster Crusader (497) Dec 3, 2014 Iowa

    I easily spend 45 minutes to an hour at Sams Quik Shop in Durham when I'm in town on business. They have a sizable inventory and multiple beers on tap. Time flies by...
     
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  17. Angerhaus

    Angerhaus Pooh-Bah (2,020) Oct 1, 2015 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    My answer is predicated on whether or not the beer nerd is working that day and who has joined me in the elusive hunt. So, anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour.
     
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  18. bluehende

    bluehende Initiate (0) Dec 10, 2010 Delaware

    I am usually 15 minutes at my local store. If I am in a browsing mode it can run to 30 minutes. A big bottle shop in a new area for me can be an hour.
     
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  19. PatrickCT

    PatrickCT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,776) Feb 18, 2015 Connecticut

    I can spend days grocery and beer shopping. I read every label, check every date, squeeze every tomato. Also, I am fussy with the quality of packaging. If I see a rip in a beer label or a carrier I swap it out.
     
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  20. Robtobfest

    Robtobfest Initiate (0) Oct 21, 2009 Connecticut

    It's my 'normal'
     
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