Beer Store A-Holes

Is this stemming from the KBS release? Yes it is true that some save the good stuff for their friends and solid customers. It doesn't take long to become a loyal customer to a store though, spend a little more dough, ask about certain beer, special order something and buy the whole case and you're in the club.

 

The point is to build business. Lots of shops hate special releases because there seems to be no way to keep all folks happy. They get bitched at/about regardless of which way they handle it--list, first-come-first serve, lottery type plan (in states where that can legally be done) etc.. Since they get the stuff on the basis of moving product many simply make the beer available their best customers who help them get it through their purchases. Such is life.

 

All it took for me was greasing a few employees' palms with a couple of Heady Toppers(any great beer will do) and I get told about EVERYTHING. Sharing is caring. My ROI on those Heady's is through the roof!

 

It can't hurt to ask the employees whether they'll be getting the special release you want, when they expect to receive it, what their sales policy for them is, etc. etc., so as to establish yourself as an interested party.

 

1 of the 3 stores in town where I live chooses to use the waiting list approach, which is fine with me since the other 2 don't and they stock the shelves for 1st come 1st serve. I can get on a list at 1 and just show up at the other 2 with different luck. Although, 1 store is never better than the other since some of the employees are assholes in general or ignorant to the fact that newly released beer is in, so establishing relationships with long-term staff at your favorite local bottle shop is a good concept but if you're dealing with greedy staff that hold limited release beers for his buddies and they never make it to the shelf then maybe think about supporting other shops since it's frustrating you and they're obviously abusing the system. Outside of the 3 main bottle shops in my town there is a HyVee up the street from my home and they have an average selection but their "department manager" in the Wine & Spirits section is just an ass and I'm constantly bitching about him with my beer buddies and co-workers so usually I'll go at night since I know he's not there! Take the good with the bad and adjust your approach if need be, sometimes we're blind to the most obvious variables!

 

I know first-come-first served is probably the fairest way, although it excludes the preferred customers, but in the case of the big box stores, it's really the only way to go...my buddy owns a small growler/craft bar and get some limited release stuff, he will tuck a bottle back for me at my request, but I always hook him up when I trade or but beer on-line

 

It was until the greedy customer ruined it. The one who a little store never sees buying anything but somehow knows the delivery schedule well enough to be there the minute a special release comes out, and then clears them out even though there's a gang of 30 regulars who have made it possible for said shop to expand their selection and increase their business. kcuf that guy. It's that kind of customer that ruined first come first serve for special releases.

 

Yeah, this is a good idea. I got some KBS from two different stores and they both approached the release differently. One didn't post it on social media or advertise it in any way. If you didn't ask them about it you wouldn't know when or how the release was to go down.

 

To be honest, after running into the problem outlined here, I set out to build a relationship with one bottle shop. Now I don't consider myself too outgoing, but it has gone just swimmingly. They lock up a bottle of whatever I want there. I just make sure to visit once a week, even if it's just for a chat. I also bring them some trade extras to drink together. We really are genuinely friends now though. Which also makes it rough when I just want to pop in for a bottle, because it turns into a 30 minute conversation. It's all good though.

That said, I do hate the whole saving it for friends deal. I remember trying to find a beer and the guy kept saying they'd get it in, and when I showed up he said no. And don't wait, because I'm not selling you one. Damn. There are so many shops around here though that'll sell to anyone that there is no point in going back to that a-hole (and it wasn't even remotely KBS that release).

 

It can be frustrating. One problem I've noticed is high turnover of the "beer guy" at these bottle shops. As soon as I get to know one guy pretty well there's a new guy.

 

Very well said, my friend.

 

Honestly, that's what I'm afraid of. There is a store downtown with an absolutely jaw dropping selection, but likewise, they have enough beer guys that they sold out of Pirate Bomb in the matter of an hour or two. Likewise, KBS was gone before you could type KBS. That's why I frequent and made friends with folks at a still quality shop, but a bit lesser known. The downside is they don't get in every rare, and what they do get is extremely limited. For example, they didn't get any Madagascar. But, it's still all good people, they have some good kegs on tap usually, and their selection is gradually improving with their new beer inventory guy.

 

While this obviously can occur, part of the 'blame' should go to the store that allows this person to do this. Even if it's first come first serve, there can be a bottle limit. I've seen one in several stores that put some of the better, rarer stuff on the shelves.

 

Highly sought after releases are a pain for the brewer, the wholesaler, the retailer, and the consumer. The only good thing is the quick cash for the first three and the actual beer for the consumer. There are hurt feelings in every tier. I always despised having to manage small allocations.

 

I am the dude who gets bottles held for him by his homey at the bottle shop. Its glorious. But I have been shopping there for years and always drop at least $20 a week there. I share beers I get, and try to drop off an exceptional homebrew when I manage a good one.

 

I used to think it was ridiculous to have to make such an effort in order to be guaranteed certain beers and still do but now have finally formed a bond with a small local store instead of giving all of my business to places like Holiday or Champanes as I was. With those larger stores my hundred to two hundred dollar a month spending means nothing to them where with a smaller store I stand out a little better and get more of a priority treatment. Sadly it may cost me a buck or two more a six pack but I get great conversation and even occasionally get to do some free shots in the back with the owner while engaging in some great beer conversations so sure can't bitch over that. Sadly this is the game and if I want a fair shot at getting anything limited and still have a day job this is what it takes for me. Made sure I made the owner aware of the truck chasing game which he confirmed the horror stories with the distributor so he now knows to put the good stuff in the back until later that night or following morning so at least all his regulars have a decent shot at scoring some.

 

If he's still working in the same town, follow him like some women follow their hairdressers.

 

Picture it through the eyes of the retailer. If the release is very limited (like KBS) where the store is only get a case or 2; that shop is only getting like $15-$30 of profit on that specific beer, so it's not really worth the hassle. Businesses make most of their money on repeat customers, so they are going to be more inclined to reward the customers that are helping keep their lights on. My advice, if getting rare beer is that important to you, is to frequent a bottle shop and build a relationship. Don't just show up every couple of months when something rare comes out.

 

That's how the store I buy most of my beer at handles special releases. He got 1 case of KBS last year. He sold singles to his best customers as they came by.